The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-10
PEACE congressman
1t Will Meet at The Hague on
May 10.
BUT THE NAVAL BUDGETS
Go Right on Calling for
Larger BattIeshipS.
BUT THE NAVAL BUDGETS

The Hague, March 9.-The peace con-
ference, otherwise the congress OF repre-
sentatiyes of the powers, called by the
car to discuss the possibility of taking
stems toward q general disarmament, Will
meet here on May IS.
London, March 9.-In introducing the
naval estimates in the house Of commons
TODAY the first lord of the admiralty the
Right Hon. George J. Goschen, said never
had estimates been submitted under more
unique circumstances Ahead was the con
ference for international disarmament
while behind were the incidents OF last
November, and while a comparison OF the
naval strength of the various countries
was in ever,ybody's mouth, the most strik-
ing confidence was shown in British ple
paredness TO meet all emergencies. The
continental powers, he further said, were
,SistJr1bed bv the allegation that Great
Britain was preparing with particular
purpose for aggressive action; but, the
minister asserted, the idea never entered
The mind Of the government. He then
proceeded to detail the naval program.
Mr.. Goschen said her majesty's govern
!nent proposed TO make Wei Hal Wei (the
war port on the northern coast Of the
Shan Tung peninsula) a secondary naval
base, pointing out that it would be most
valuable anchorage and of the greatest
importance in any operations in Chinese
ters and adding that it was proposed to
expend 10000 pounds on Wei Hal Wei
during the present year and 100000 next
year.
Continuing, Mr. Goschen informed tie
house that the personnel of the navy for
the coming year would be increased by
$3.50 men, making a total Of 110,640 at
cost of 4.474,00O pounds. Comparing the
pay OF the personnel Mr. Goschen said
that while Great Britain paid 100000
pounds and France 10000 pounds. Russia
paid only 445,00O pounds. He could not
understand how that was, but that was
all the estimates revealed.
Referring to shiDbuilding, he said the
coming program had been framed after
consideration of the program Of the other
powers. A study of these programs, he
pointed out, was not Teassuring. The
United States. Russia, France, japan.
Italy and Germany had under construc-
ton 6S5,0oO tons of warShips or 225, 900 tons
more than was contemplated in the pres
ent estimates. This had forced the CAV
eminent to draw up the program. Elk
cludtng last years supplemental program,
it provided for two ironclads, two armored
cruisers and three smaller cruisers, of a
specially high speed
The money required therefore,. for the
coming financial year was $4,000 mounds
and the total under the ship-building vote,
including the liabilities for last YEAR s
original and supplementary programs.
would be y, 81. 900 pounds. an increase OF
over 2,0lO000 pounds. The total estimates
were 26.594.JO0 pounds. For armament
Mr. GOschen asked an increase Of 10, 900
pounds, chiefly for the construction Of
guns. but also for more ammunition for
practice, which, he asserted. was a matter
Of enormous Importance. as shown by the
late war TtIHfi1
After speaking of the necessity for an
increased shipbuiIding vote, he said these
were the votes required by the preSnt
situation. But" he added, would that
the action of the other nations resulting
from the coming conference make it pos
sible for US TO diminish or modify tie
program, while, of course, mainining our
standard and relative position"
Mr., -Goschen then announced in behalf |
of her majesty's government, that if the |
other great naval powers were prepared |
TO diminish their progress, Great Britain |
was prepared to modify hers. But If the |