Evening star., 1898-06-13
TO INCREASE THEIR NAVIES
Steps Being Taken by the Principal Maritime
Nations
Considering Her Resources japan is
Making More Rapid Progress Than
Any Other Power.

Naval Progress, periodical issued by
the office Of naval intelligence, gives an in
teresting account of the steps being taken
by the principal maritime nations to in
crease their naval forces. According to it
Great Britain is building or about to build
10S ships, upon which she will expend S107,-
100000, and will increase her personnel by
$500 officers and men this year. Russia's
program of naval expansion calls for an
expenditure of S31S, 900. France is add
ing to her fleet at an expense of S144, 300. .00o
Germany has program looking to the ex-
penditure of $24O,00Q.000. and Japans pro-
gram requires the expenditure of $192, 800,
600.
Considering her resources, Japan is max
ing more rapid increase in ships and
men than any other power. France is
constructing more torpedo boats than any
of the continental governments. while
Great Britain continues to outstrip the
world in the number power and cost of
vessels of all types and classes. The total
strength of the English navy is shown to
be 100,050 officers and men. British i'm
provements in dock yards at home and
abroad have been marked by great energy.
England is now building three immense
docks at Gibraltar, and is making exten-
sive improvements at her naval stations at
Hong Kong, Malta and Bermuda. Russia S
plans include the opening of a new naval
base the coast of Lap!and, at a point
between the White sea and the Norwegian
coast, and connected by rail with st. Pc
tersburg.
The los new ships designed for the Brit
ish navy are of all classes fourteen being
battle ships, eight firSt-class cruisers. nine
second-class cruisers, ffty-two torpedo
boat destroyers and the remainder small
cruisers and. gunboats. The three large
battle ships to be laid down this year Will
be of the Majestic type. The four armored
cruisers will be among the most powerful
vessels of this type in the world. Not less
than twenty-one knots an hour will be the
speed requirement. The other cruisers Will
be of about the same type as the Detroit
and the gunboats little larger than the
Bancroft.
Frances building program extends over a
period of eight years, and Will aggregate in
1905 about S144 200 600. making annual
expenditure for increasing the strength of
the fleet of $1S.GG0,000. She has under
construction twelve battle ships and nine
armored cruisers, besides a great number
of torpedo boat destroyers and smaller
ships.
Germany's naval program provides for
the building, exclusive of torpedo boats.
gunboats and vessels for special purposes,
of seventeen ships of the line, eight armor-
ed coast defense vessels, twelve large
cruisers and twenty-six small cruisers, be-
sides nine large ships in reserve.
Russia has recently completed 1900
ton battle ship and has another sister ship
building. Besides, she has a number of
small cruisers twelve torpedo boat destroy
ers and several torpedo boats building.
The growth of Japan's naval strength is
remarkable, both as to the number and the
strength of vessels being added to her
force. In 1896 she brought out program.
to be completed in ten years, involving an
expenditure of 1882 1850, 900, and intended to
give her four battle ships. four armored
cruisers, three second-class and two third
class protected cruisers, e;ghty-nine torpedo
boats and a number of smaller vessels. all
in addition to her present available navy.