The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-11
ENGLAND is PREPARING
Goschen Asks for $127,75O,OOO
for Naval Purposes.
TRADE ROUTES PROTECTED
Sir Charles Dixie Calls the Estimate One
OF Procrastination and Deiay-The
English Navy in Worse Condi-
ton Than Two Years Ago.

London. March 1o--The first lord of
the admiralty, the Hon. George j.
Goschen. in presenting the naval esti-
mates to the house of commons to-
day, pointed out that with the outlay
in new ships the expenditure amount
ed TO a colossal sum of f25.5oo.o 900
tS127. $50, 0o0). which he explained was
considered inadequate in some quar-
tiers. Continuing, Mr.. Goschen eX-
planned that the navy was in tran
sitional state to which many OF the
admitted deficiencies were due lie
dilated upon. the quiet and unostenta-
tious increase of the British fleet in
China waters by four vessels for other
foreign stations, as being an instance
of the naval preparedness
Later. Mr. Goschen said he hoped the
admiralty would not be too hard
pressed to communicate its plans. but
he assured the house that in the distri-
button of cruisers. for instance. the adj
miralty had considered carefully the
protection Of every trade and every
food supply route and he trusted that
IF times darkened" the admiralty
would have the confidence of the house
and the admiralty would be found do
ing its duty.
Mr.. Goschen deplored the recent in
dustrial struggles and appealed for an
increase of pay for the British seamen
of the merchant marine, saying that II,
from false economy or impossible con-
ditions on either side. British sailors
and ships were ousted by foreigners,
then God help us" He concluded:
If peace shall again reign in our
centers Of industry and II the nation
that calls herself mistress of the sea
reasserts herself by an increase OF
merchant seamen. then the nation may
look forward in confidence that If there
be peace it will be peace with honor,
but Ii war. which God forbid, 1t must
be war, crowned with victory Pro-
longed cheers.)
William Adams advocated an amend
ment that greater provisions be made
for manning the fleet. Rear Admiral
Lord Charles Beresford. conservative,
seconding the amendment. urged a
larger number of men and suggested
that Great Britain should buy all the
vessels now building in England for
other countries. The house rejected
Mr.. Adams amendment, Many mem
bers urged an increase in the naval re-
serves.
Sir Charles Dixie radical said.
Everyone must feel that the circum
stances are such that we might find
ourselves in war with an European
power. and that there is some risk that
two other European powers might be
disposed to seize the opportunity to
11dke utfffdDuS we NOuid DE iIluiSIbSti
TO comply with. Nevertheless the pres
ent estimates are the estimates of pro-
crastination and delay. The condition
of our navy. compared with those of
other nations, is worse than it was two
years ago
Mr.. Goschen. in a general defense of
the estimates, said he thought il would
be better in a time of crisis to organize
every available vessel and resource
than to devote their energies to build
ing vessels that would not be ready for
three years. The other powers. he ar
gued. would meet with the same diff
Guilty as themselves. Great Britain was
still able TO send more ships TO sea at
short notice than other nations
If there had been two or three first
class battleships for sale in England he
would probably have asked for money
to purchase them. but there was none
such for sale Russia had made great
industrial progress, but the other pow
ers We're still compelled TO have
recourse to England the United States
or Germany. He said that he did not
think that even those who had de-
nouneed the estimates as the estimates
OF procrastination" would suggest that
England should give orders for armor
to the United States a the present
juncture.
With regard to the suggestion of the
honorable member for the Forest of
Dean tSir Charles Dilke) that the gov
eminent should raise recruits for the
naval reserve in Newfoundland and the
colonies. he must say that there We're
great difficulties in the way. The
discussion was then dropped.
1t is reported in the Hobbies this even
ing that the Russian imperial ukase
ordering the disbursement of 10000 00C
roubles as extraordinary expenditures
for the construction of warships will
cause the government to make a con-
siderable increase in the naval esti-
mates.