The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-16

Il ~ NaA ~ tNN NAA1AS 49, ~ NNNNE 49, NAE'
the growth Of = large and modern mercantile
marine on the other side OF tho Atlantic would
be a serious matter for us in the end"
There IA special interest at present in com
plcte and accurate details Of the orders given
abroad in the new Russian naval programme.
The following Ia q list OF the new war vessels
ordered in foreign countries on account OF the
extra 10000. 900 roubles recently voted by the
Gar for naval construction:
America. At Cramps. Philadelphia = Ono
battleship Of the Iowa class. 1900 tons; one
cruiser. 5000 tons.
Franco.-Forgss ct Chantiers dc la M6diter-
ranee-One battleship, 1900 tons; three tor
podo-boat destroyers. $50 tons each. Al Nor
mand's Works-Two torpedo-boat destrcyers.
$50 tons ench.
Germany Vulcan Works-One cruiser. $3.50
tons. The dermania Company-0ne cruiser,
5000 tons. Schichau at Glbing-0ne cruiser.
1900 tons; four torpedo-boat destroyers, $50
tons each.
England. Laird's. Birkenhead-one tor
pedo. boat destroyer. $50 tons.
Besides these ships. which are to be paid for
out OF the extra credit. the Russian Admiralty
has ordered another armored cruiser of 1900
tons at the French works. FORCES ct Chantiers
de Ia Mediterran6e. presumably on account Of
the ordinary naval budget. This makes a
total OF two battleships. five cruisers and ten
torpedo-boat destroyers ordered abroad.
The objection TO ordering in England does
not apply to British works transferring their
operations to Russia. For instance, the we'll
known firm OF Yarrow have contracted with
the Nevsky mechanical works, with the approval
Of the Russian Admiralty. to give the technical
assistance requisite in fitting boilers and ma
chinery In the new torpedo-bo catchers OF
the Sokol class. Other more important offers,
such as that Of the Thames Iron Works
Company, have been rejected for the pres
ent. Yet the Russian authorities have con-
tinued until very lately to throw out
feelers In order to ascertain how far
other English shipbuilders aud capitalists
MAY be inclined to help Russia on her own ter
ritory without making too much profit for
themselves. They have even suggested un-
officially that II a million pounds sterling were
invested in the construction OF the required
works the Russian Government would per-
haps be able to guarantee orders for at least
three million pounds. BY the recent Russian
law abolishing coasting under foreign flags. it
was intended to encourage shipbuilding at
home, but there seems to be no spare private
capital In Russia and little technical skill for
this sort OF business.
Sir Charles Dixie has just concluded a series
OF articles on the British Empire for a number
OF English papers. His conclusion rs to its
trade relations is:
Even from the point OF view OF British
power and authority in the world. and from the
point Of view OF peace. most necessary to
British trade. it is doubtful whether the draw
ing closer Of commercial bonds within the en-
pire. at the expense Of commercial relations
with other countries, is a step Of progress.
Take Canada. for example. Canada and the
United States are so situated toward one an
other that their trade. but for artificial and
political, but imaginary lines, would be very
largely with one another. Not only in the days
Of reciprocity, but up to June. 1895. the trade
OF the United States with Canada was very large
indeed. The hostile tariff OF the United States
has harmed this trade, and has caused the
action on the part Of Sir Wilfrid Laurier which
excited much attention last year. but these
steps are less natural aud more strained than
would be a complete or even partial removal
of customs barriers between Canada and. her
nearer %neighbor; while the political estrange-
ment which commercial estrangement brings
about ia not to the advantage either Of our i'm
perial policy or OF peace. TIL sentiment OF
common nationality and Of racial patriotism,
which 1t Is undoubtedly importantto strengthen
within our empire. may be called out by q wise
policy of common imperial defence. without
being accompanied by an attempt to divert
trade by steps which could not fail in some de-
gree to hamper that European trade and that
trade to the two Americas upon which statis-
tics show that our manufacturing and over
whelming maritime supremacy depend.
There is a danger in pressing imperial fed
Grafton without knowing exactly what we
mean. and. still more. what the colonies desire.
There Is danger in pressing closer trade rela-
ttons while we remain in the same condition OF
doubt. There is danger in neglectinR to press
those joint preparations for imperial defence
which. If not made now. will come too late"
1t is noteworthy that the articles have been
appearing in the Birmingham Post. which is
generally closely identified with Mr.. Chamber
lain's political opinions. The movement for a
Chamberlain Rosebery combination. set on foot
by an important section Of the Liberal party
after Mr.. Gladstone's death. is still discussed
and widely supported in the north. The Rose
berry section is not disposed to cooperate with
Sir Charles Dixie. to whom Mr.. Chamberlain is
well disposed. As the Colonial Secretary usual
ly insists on controlling any combination he
enters, 1t may quite probably include Dixie.
who is strongly supported by the thousands OF
Liberals who are dissatisfied with the present
ofacial opposition.
Sympathetic memories are recalled by Mr..
Birrell's biography of the late Sir Frank Lock-
wood. published to-day. Americans who met
him on his visit to the United States will share
the bioErRpher's despair at bringing on paper
the big. genial lineaments OF the man'slpefson-
ality. Lord Rosebery. in a letter to Mr.. Birrell.
which is included in the book. says that Lock-
woods entrance into a room seemed to
change the whole complexion of the company.
and I often fancied that he could dlSpel a
London fog by his presence" Very few Lock
wood stories can be detached from their imme-
diate circumstances but some relating to his
caricatures flor he was q most humorous
draughtsmanl bear repeating. The following
gives a glimpse OF the old fashioned English
Judge. One Of the caricatures. THE March OF
Intellect" represents four eminent Judges.
Mr.. Birrell says:
AS one needs to be quite an old fellow to re-
member this quartet OF Judges. l may say that
the most distant one is Sir Colin Blackburn
tafterward Lord Black burn. o great case law
yer; next comes the then Lord Chief Justice OF
England. Sir Alexander Cockburn. one OF the
ablest and vainest OF mortals; the third is Mr..