The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-10
But the Action Of Other Nations
Makes Such a Course Necessary,
HER OBJECT PURELY. DEFENSIVE.
Since Her Rivals Arc Building Fast
Cruisers To- Prey on British Com
meICc III Case Of War-Eeti-
mates simply Embodying
the Feelings Of "a Peace
Loving Nation.

LONDON, March 9-ln introducing the
navy estimates n The House of Com
mons to-day. the First Lord OF thc ADJ
miralty, the Right Hon Gerse j. Goscheu.
said never had estimates been submitted
under more unique circumstances. Ahead
was the conference for international dis
armament. while behind was the mo-
dents of last November. ana while % COM
palison of the naval strength of the va-
rious countries was iu everybody
mouth, the most striking confidence was
shown in British preuaredue-s TO meet
all emcrgoncies
The continental powers. he said. were
disturbed by the allegation tA4t Great
Britain was preparing with particular
purpose for aggressive action: but tne
Minister asserted. the idea never entered
the mind of the govern mont lIe tuon
proceeded 90 detail tho naval programme.
KEEP THE DOOR OrEN.
Nj Goschen said Tier Majesty GoF-
eminent proposed 90 make Wei-llai-Nei
0he war port ON the northern coast of
the shan Tung Peninsula "a second naval
base. pointing out chat BE- would Doe "a
most valuable anchorage 0l tao create.
Importance in auy operations in Chinese
waters and adding that it was proposed
TO oXrend G1300 600 ou Wc.-llal-Wri dur-
ing the present year and ll.50DUu next
year.
Continuing. Mr.. Goschcn informed the
House that the personnel of tho navy for
the coming year would Doe increased bv
l.210 men. making % total of li0GiH. at 90
cost of e14740lo
Referring 10 shipbuidIne he said the
com g programme had been framed
after consideration of tho programme of
the other powers. A study of these proc
grammcs he pointed out was not ro-
assuring The United States. Russia.
France. Japan. Italy and Germany had
under construction 100000 toms of war
ships or 2Zj00O tons more than was cone
templated in the present estimates.
NFW PROGRAMME FORCED
This had forced the government t0 draw
up new programme. excluding last
years supplemental programme. it pro-
vided for two ironc.ads two mm1reI
cruisers and three smaller cruisers, of
specially high speed.
The increased appropriation ro-
quirod therefore for the coming
fiscal year was fT100. and the
total under the shiphWlling vote. inciud-
ing the liabilities for last years original
and supplementary programmes. would
De c1211m0. am increase of over L-.-
O0o000 The total estimates were t-'.-
$1,000.
For armament. Mr. Goschcn asked au
increase of e1Gi o01. chiefly for the cone
struction of guns bgt also for more anne
munition for practice which. h' rted.
was a matter of enormous Importance. ls
shown by The late war
HATES TO DO IT
After speaking OF tine necessity Tor an
increased ship-bulldiue vote Dee said -o
were the votes required by th- present
situation.
"But. he added "wouid that tho action
OF IN. other nations rerutnc r0m Tine
coming international conference could
make IL possible for us t0 diminish or
modify the programme while OFF course.
maiutaiuing our standard and relative
position
Nh Goschen announced iu behalf OF
Her Majesty Government ,hat ~ the
other great .nayM pow.re were prepared
to diminish thcir programme" Great
Britain waa prepared to modify hrI
But if the Gears hopes were not realized.
the programme would have to -and. i.i
hc (Air. G0schon expressed the hope taHi
thos. who were proposing tha country
expenditure would NOT attempt to dIa-
euadc the people from hetriu- tho tlNI-
ton necessary 60 carry ou the duties OF
the empire.
PURELY FOP DEFENCE
NJ Go.chcn emuh -'z.I ths purely d'-
rcrsive objects OF the naval uer.f'o. but
said that. in view ol the eou lruclon hy
her rivals of fast cruisers with t1a aNo"-
cd puru0so of proving upon Erlt'n CONE
merco and Great Brit'1's food supply ln
th. event of war. England was forced i'