New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-11
HI1GE SUMS FOR WARSHIPS.
rvGIAND's COLOSSAL ESTIMATES MAY
BE FURTHER INCREASED.
p,.ssrA's EXTRAORDINARY NAVAL EXPENDITURE
AROUsEs THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT
DEBATE IN TIE CoMMONs-STATE-
MENT IY MR GnsclII,N
MENr BY MR.. GoscHEN.

DEBATE IN TIE COMMONS-STATE-
MENT BY MR. GosCHEN
London March 1O-It is reported In the lob
res this evening that the Russian imperial
vsase ordering the disbursement Of 10000 600
rubles as extraordinary expenditure for the con-
structon Of warships will cause the Government
% make a considerable increase in the naval
estimates.
The First Lord Of the Admiralty. the Hon.
George j. Goschen. in presenting the naval es-
tmates to-day pointed out that with the out
lay on naval works. the expenditure amounted
10 The colossal sum of l2J5JO 900 (Si27.5O0 00O).
which he explained, even considered made
ouate in some quarters.
Continuing Mr.. Goschen explained that the
Navy was in a transitional state. to which
many Of the admitted deficiencies were due.
Moreover. he added. the Government was in
PRODUCING a series Of improvements The Jubi-
lee display had been great. but they had not
reached the ideal standard.
TO FIGHT As WELL AS PARADE.
Referring to the Channel Squadron. the First
Lord Of the Admiralty said II was the rost
powerful gathered together. its duties be-
ing not only to parade the Channel but TO en-
gage in offensive operations in time of war.
Continuing Mr.. Goshen dilated upon the
quiet and unoStentatiOus increase Of The Brit
ish feet in Chinese waters by four vessels from
other foreign stations as being an instance Of
the naval preparedness.
Later Mr. Goschen said he hoped the Ad-
m!ralty would not be too hardly pressed to COM
municate its plans He assured the House that
In the distribution OF cruisers. for instance the
Admiralty had considered carefully the pro-
lection 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.
Touching upon the increase In the personnel
OF the navy. MI Goschen said there was no
lack OF recruits for the navy In fact. he added,
only one in dght boys was accepted. and the
supply Of stokers was also improving.
Mr. Goschen also denied that the navy was
undermanned. declaring that every vessel which
took part in the Jubilee review was as fully
manned as It would be in wartime. He admitted
there was paucty Of officers hut he explained
that that would be easily remedied
Touching on the building programme, Mr..
Goschen said he would defer furnishing parucu-
lars regarding the proposed new warships' in
order to keep foreigners in the dark concerning
their plans but he could say that the battle
ships and cruisers would be adapted to the spe-
cial circumstances which the last year had re-
vealed in various parts OF the world
ALL DEPENDS on THEIR NAVY.
Mr. Goschen then depored the recent indus
trial struggles. and appealed for an increase OF
pay for the British seamen Of the merchant
marine. saying that r. from false economy or
Impossible conditions on either side British sail
ors and ships ousted by foreigners, then
God help u.s. He concluded IF peace shall
again reign in our centres Of industry and mari
time instincts, and II the nation that calls her
self 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 II will be peace with honor, but II war,
which God forbid, II must be war crowned with
victory" prolonged Cheering)
William Allen, Radical, member for New
castle Under-Lyme, advocated greater efforts
and moved amendment that greater provision
be made for manning the fleet
Rear-Admiral Lord Charles Beresford. Con-
servative, member for York City, secondtnG the
amendment urged q larger reserve of men, and
suggested that Great Britain sh ould buy all the
vessels now building IN England for other coun-
The House rejected Mr. Aliens amendment
Many members urged an increase in the Naval
Reserve. Sir Charles Dixie Radical member
for the Forest Of Dean. said
Every one must feel that the circumstances
are such that we might find ourselves war
with a European Powe- and that there is some
risk that two other European Powers might be
disposed TO seize the opportunity 20 make de-
mands we would be indispOsel to comply with
Nevertheless the present estimates are the esti-
mates Of prOCrastndtiOn and delay. The posi-
o
nations. is worse than it was two years ago
DEFENDING THE ESTIMATES
Mr Goschen. IN a general defence Of the esti-
mates said he thought j; would be better in
time Of crisis 10 complete and organize avail
able vessels and resources than 10 devote their
energies 20 building vessels that would not be
ready for three years. The other Powers. he
argued. would meet the same difficulties as
themselves. Great Britain was still able 10 send
more ships 70 sea at short notice than other ma
tions. II there had been two or three frst-class
battle-ships for sale III England he would prob
ably have asked for money 70 purch0se them;
but there We're none such for sale. Russia had
made great industrial progress, but the other
Powers were sull compelled 10 have recourse 10
Epriaud the United states or Germany. MI
Goschcu said he did not think that even those
VINO hal denounced the cstimaies as the "est-
mates Of procrastinatioE" would suggest mat
Eng,1n md should give orders for arInor 20 the
United States az the present juncture. daugh-
ter With regard % the suggestion Of the hon
orahle member for the Forest OF Dean (Sr
Charles Dnke) that the Government should raise
recruits for the Naval Reserve in Newfoundland
and tho colonies. he must say that there were
great administrative difficulties IN tho way.
The discussion was then dropped