The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-10
Will BUILD MORE SHIPS
Goschen Gives the House of Com
mons the Naval Estimate,
ASKS FOR MANY MILLIONS
He Proposes an Appropriation o: $780,
100000 - Plans for Seven War
Vessels A lesson From
the Spanish War.

London. March 9,-Introducing the
naval estimates in the house of COM
mons to-day the first lord of the adj
miralty, the Right Hon. George r.
Goschen, said that never had estimates
been submitted under more unique Cir
cumsances Ahead was the conference
for International disarmament, while
behind were the incidents of last No
vember, and While n comparison of the
naval strength of the various countries
was in every mouth, the most striking
confidence was shown in British pre-
paredness to meet all emergencies.
The continental powers, he further
said, We're disturbed by the allegati IN
that Great Britain vas preparing with
particular purpose Cor 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 majestys government propoS-
ed to make Wei Hal Wei che warport
on the northern coast OF the Shantung
peninsula) a secondary naval base,
pointing out that it would be a most
valuable anchorage and of the greatest
Importance in any opera lions in Chin
ese waters and adding that il was pro-
posed to eXpend Il. 900 on Wei Hal
Wei during the present year and 81,
100000 next year.
Continuing. Mr.. Goschen informed the
house that she personnel of the navy
for the coming year would be nCreas-
ed by 1850 men, making a total of no.
GAO at cost of GAIA 600. Comparing
the pay OF the personnel, MIR. GOschen
said that while Great Britain pail
G7,000000 and France CT 900 600 Rus
STA paid only E445.O00. He could rot
understand how that was. but that was
all the estimates revealed. Referring to
shipbuilding. he said the coming pro
gramme had been framed after consid-
Grafton of the programme of the other
powers. A study of these programmes
he pointed out. was not reasSuring. The
United States. Russia, France. Japan
Italy and Germany had under consider
alton $4,000 tons of warships. or 225.-
900 tons more than was contemplated
in the present estimates. This had fore
ed the government to draw up a new
programme. Excluding last years sup
Elemental programme, it provided for
two ironclads, two armored cruisers
and three smaller cruisers of a special-
ly high speed B.
The money required therefor, for The
coming financial year, was E53D 600 and
the total under the Ehipbuilding vote
including the liabilities for last years
original and supplementary pro-
srammes, would be E12,Sl7 900, an in
crease of over S2,000.0 600. The total es-
Inmates were G26 594 900. For arrna-
ment, Mr.. Goschen asked an increase
of G161 900 chiefly for the construction
of guns. but also for more ammunition
for practice, which, he asserted. was a
~ TOR. Of t,,,Y,
shown by the late war
After soeaking of the necessity for
an increased shipbuilding vote. he said
these were votes required by ;he pres
ent situation.
But" he added, would tha,; the ac-
ton of the other nations, recognizing
that the coming international confer
ence could make it possible for us to
diminish or modify the programme.
while. of course, maintaining thu stand
ard and relative position"
Mr. Goschen .hen announced in be-
half of her majesty's government that.
If the other great naval powers wera
prepared to diminish their programmes.
Great Britain was prepared to modify
hers. But if the cars desires were not
realized, the programme would have 20
stand, and he. Mr. GOschen, expressed
the hope that those who We're proposing
to attack the country's expenditure
would not attempt o Iissuade the poo
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 es .imates We're sim
ply the embodiment of the feelings of a
peace-loving. determined nation"
Mr.. Goschen emphasized the purely
defensive objects Of the naval increase,
but said that in view of he conStruc-