Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-10
ENGLAND'S NAVY.
No Other Country Will Be
Allowed to- Surpass It.
An Increase Of 1850 Men, Making
the Total ll0,640.
San Nun Bay Not Seizcd BY ItaIy-China
Expresses Regrets.

London. March 9.--In introducing the
navy estimates in the House of Com.
mons. today. the first lord of the ad-
miralty, the Right Hon. George j.
Goschen. said never had estimates beer
submitted under more unique circum-
stances. Ahead was the conference
for International disarmament while
behind were the incidents of last No
vember and when 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 said,
were disturbed by the allegation that
Great Britain was preparing with d
particular purpose for aggressive ac-
ton, but the minister asserted. the idea
never entered the mind of the govern
ment He then proceeded to detail the
naval programme.
MIR. Goschen said Her Majesty's gov
eminent 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 an
chorage and for the greatest impor-
lance in any operations in Chinese
waters. and adding that it was pro-
posed to expend G1.300.000 on Wei Hal
Wei during the present year and E1,-
10000 next year.
The personnel of the navy for the
coming year, he said. would be increas-
cd by 1850 men. totalling 110,64O, at a
cost of G7,474.OO0. Pr
Comparing the pay of the personnel,
Mr.. Goschen said that while Great
Britain paid G7,700,000.. and France
G3,000.00O. Russia only paid 9445,OOO.
He could not understand how it was,
but that was all the estimates reveal
ed.
Referring to ship building. he said
the coming programme had been franz
ed after consideration of the pro-
gramme of the other powers. A study
of these programmes. he pointed out,
was not reassuring. The United States
Russia. France. Japan, Italy and Ger
many had under construction 6S5,0OO
tons of warships. or 225,OOO tons more
than was contemplated in the pres
ent estimates. Therefore, this had
forced the government to draw up a
new programme. Excluding last years
supplemental programme. it provided
for two ironcladS. two armOred cruiS-
ers and three smaller cruisers, of A
specially high speed.
The money required. therefore, for the
coming financial year was G550,0OO and
the total, under the ship building vote,
including the liabilities for last years
original and supplementary pro-
grammes. would be e12 900, an in
crease of over $4,000, 1000. The total es-
Inmates We're EGG. $4,000.
For armament. Mr. Goschen asked an
increase of G161 900. chiefly for the con-
struction of guns but also for more
ammunition for practice, which. he
asserted. was matter of enormous
Importance. as shown by the late war.
After speaking of the necessity for
an increased ship building vote he
said these votes were required by the
present situation.
But" he added would that the ac-
ton of other nations. resulting from
the coming International conference
could make it possible for us to di
minish 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 naval powers were pre-
pared 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 expendi-
ture would not attempt to dissuade the
people from bearing the taxation nee
essary to carry on the duties of the
empire.
Mr.. Goschcn emphasized the purcl,
defensive object of the naval increase
but said, that. in view of the conStruc.
ton of her rivals of fast cruisers witt
the avowed purpose of preying upor
British commerce and Great Britain:
food supply in the event of war. Eng
land was forced to build five new crui
sers particularly swift in order to cir
cumvent these schemes. He also sale
that the four armored cruisers now be
ing built under the original programme
would he the most powerful ships i.
the world
In conclusion. the first lord of tn,
admiralty said the estimates wer
simply the embodiment of the feel
ings of peace loving. determined ma
ton" Cheers.
The Daily Graphic says The Ma
Chwang loan contract crisis has beel
amicably settled by direct cxchang
OF views between the British and Rus
sian governments. The Russian assur
ances are completely satisfactory. TIL
whole difficulty is ended and the tw
governments are arranging a schem
ny which their relations in the Fa
Fast may be permanently regulated.
The Daily Graphic says it under
stands that Sir Julian Pauncefortt
Sntish ambassador at Washington ha
neeh appointed to represent Great Brit
ian at the forthcoming conference fo
me limitation of ornaments
The Shanghai correspondent of III
!,diy Mail says that Japan is sappor,
ING Nhlna in her resistance to ri
Itaiian demands for concession :
San Nun. q
The Pekin correspondent ,f :,
Imes says: The Tsung LII Yame
'ahlhese foreign office) has no,iris
Slsnor MARITIME the Italian minista
s wa, ms dispatch asking for conce
n