Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-10

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FAST CRUISERS A FEATURE.
London, March 9.-In introducing the
navy estimates in the House of Com
mons to-day the first Lord of the Adj
miralty, the Ri. Hon. George J. Cos
chen, said never had an estimate been
submitted under more unique circum-
stances. Ahead was the conference for
international disarmament, while be-
hind were the incidents of last Novem-
Der, and while a comparison of the
naval strength of the various countries
was in everybody's mouth, the most
striking confidence was shown in Brit
ish preparedness to meet all emergen-
cies.
The continental powers, he further
said, were disturbed by the allegation
that Great Britain was preparing with
a particular purpose for aggressive ac-
ton; but. the minister asserted. the
idea never entered the mind of the gov
eminent. He then proceeded to detail
the naval programme.
Mr.. Goschen said Her Majesty's gov
eminent proposed to make Wel-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 an
chorage and of the greatest importance
in any operations in Chinese waters,
and adding that it was proposed to
expend 91,300,0OO on Wei-Hai Wei
during the present year and 91,500,000
next year. K
Continuing, Mr. Goschen informed
the House that the personnel of the
navy for the coming year would be in
creased by 1880 men, making total
of 10, GAO at a cost of 97,474,0O0.
Comparing the pay of the personnel,
M. Goschen said that while Great
Britain paid 100000 and France
93,O00,000, Russia paid only e445,0O0.
He could not understand how that was,
but that was all the estimates reveal
ed.
Referring to shipbuilding, he said
the coming programme had been franz
ed after consideration of the pro-
grammes of the other powers. A study
of these programmes, he pointed out,
was not re-assuring. The United
States, Russia, France, Japan, Italy
and Germany, had under construction
685,O00 tons of warships, or $4,000
tons more than was contemplated in
the present estimates.
This had forced the government to
draw up new programme. Excluding
last years supplemental programme,
it provided for two irOnclads, two arm
ored cruisers and three smaller crui6-
ers of a specially high speed
The money required therefore, for
the coming financial year was 030,-
600, and the total under the shipbuild-
ing vote, including the liabilities for
last years original and supplementary
programmes, would be 6 12,S17, 900, an
increase of over G2,000,000. The total
estimates were G26,594, 900.
For armament, Mr. Goschen asked
an increase of e161 900, chiefly for the
construction of guns, but also for more
ammunition for practice, which, he as
serted was a matter of enormous i'm
portance, as shown by the late war.
After speaking of the necessity for
an increased shipbuilding vote, he SAID
these were the votes required by the
present situation.
But" he added, would that the ac-
ton of other nations result from the
coming international conference, could
make it possible for us TO diminish
or modify the programme while, Of
course, maintaining our standard and
relative position"
Mr.. GOSchen then announced IN be-
half of Her Majesty's government that
if the other great naval powers were
prepared to diminish their programmes,
Great Britain was prepared to modify
hers. But if the Cars hopes were not
realized, the programme would have to
stand, and he (Mr. GOschen) expressed
the hope that those who were prOpOs-
ing TO attack the country's expenditure
would not attempt to dissuade the peo-
pie from bearing the taxation neces-
sary to carry on the duties OF the en-
pire.
In conclusion the First Lord of the Ad-
miralty said the estimates were simply
the embodiment of the feelings Of a peace
loving determined nation (Applause).
Nj Goschen emphasized the purely de-
Tensile objects of the naval increase, bait
said that in view Of the construction by
her rivals of fast cruisers with the avowed
purpose of preying upon British com
merce and Great Brltain's food supply in
the event of war, England was forced to
build five new cruisers particularly swift.
in order to circumvent these schemes. He
also said that the four armored cruisers
new being built under the original pro-
gramme would be the most powerful ships
in the world.