The evening times., 1900-05-31
FOR GREATER NAVIES.
Foreign Powers Are Adding Largely
to Their Sea Strength.


Foreign Powers Are Adding Largely
to Their Sea Strength.
While there has been some opposition
from time to time to the proposed appro-
priations for an increase in the size and
efficiency OF the United States Navy. the
need of greater forces on the seas is rec
ognized by all the European nations.
which are making preparations to bring
their fleets to greater degree OF for
midableness.
In speaking of these conditions naval
officer Of prominence said this morning
that the appropriations made by Con-
gress seemed meagre in comparison with
the expenditures now being made by the
Continental powers He said II was the
practice Of foreign powers. following
war. materially to add TO their military
strength,
Germany" he said, spent the larger
part OF her indemnity from France on
her military. until she now has one OF
the most perfectly equipped forces in Eu-
rope Great Britain. after each important
war, has invariably devoted millions Of
pounds sterling to her defences, and in
the enlargement Of her naval forces as
well. Japan. soon after her sweeping VIC
tory over China. began to increase her
armament. until now she has a navy,
built and building. that will equal IL not
exceed in strength, that Of this Govern
ment
1t is doubtful in view Of her disastrous
state Of finances. whether Spain Will ever
again figure as either a military or naval
Il ~ A ,rrss-. lkl
Is now scarcely to be regarded as entitled
to rank as a naval power with Chile or the
Argentine Republic. and where eight years
ago she controlled a feet superior to that
OF the United States she is now wiped
from the list Of sea powers
The lesson learned from the recent at
tack by the British hrst-class cruiser Ter
rible upon an ircnc!ad in the English Chan
mel for experimental purposes is that
weakness Is one OF the contingencies which
cannot be anticipated The British Navy
has always been regarded By the ration as
it's main reliance. but even H. recent
events have shown. is not invUiuerahle-
Disaster seems 10 have befailen Sir Edwin
White, the chief constructor. who has de-
signed every British warship built in the
hast fifteen Yeas. The accident 10 the
Queens yacht at Pembroke. when the YES
sci turnes over in dock owing TO the mis-
calculation OF weights. has been terrible
blow 20 his prestige. and for several weeks
he has been on waiting orders and may
never return 70 his former position.
In other directions there are unmistak-
able signs that the British Navy is 10 be
carefully scrutiniZed. and perhaps policies
governing for years changed in the interest
Of greater efficiency. Under direction OF
Sir Edwin White wonderful advance has
been made in ship construction. but some
experts now seriOusly question such wide
departures as we're ordered by him in tie
direction OF reduced calibres OF guns, de-
crease OF protection to enable higher speed
in heavy ships. and an absence OF any IN
terest il submarine boats. 10 which France
Is now turning her attention.
The triple-screw has not yet been ae-
cepted by British builders. nor has It's ord
nance made many improvements Though
defects will unquestionably be found IN .Ae
service. Il is doubtless true, as claimed.
that 10 naval power save the United
States is so maguificenCy equipped, on
cered. and manned as the British And its
enlargement continues with every year.
until there seems TO end TO its programme
Germany has decided 20 double her navy
within the next sixteen gears. so that she
will have forty battleships. twenty first
class cruisers and a large addition 10 small
craft. Russia has not yet embarked on a
cOrrespondingly extensive prog raune- Her
estimate for this year is over $4,000. 900;
Great Britain nov spends nearly S120. 600. -
Geo on her navy. against Frances proposal
to eXpend about half that sum and Ger
mQny'S about $50 COO COO In this merry
competition Of expenditure II may be i'm
pOrtant 10 enquire into the purchasing val
ue of the outlay, for IL bears quite materi-
ally on the result of the contest IL Is
easy to prove that in the heaviest item
the ccE..structiOn-there is a great advan-
"a % to NsrrE Ewfg - a
ships seem 10 be built at q cost considera-
bly, less than those OF France. Germany
and Russia Great Britain will always
probably construct ships. however. at less
cost France has admittedly a difficulty
in making her revenues at the present time
keep up with her large expenditures which
have increased with her programmes Of
shipbuilding, but the new naval pro-
gramue has been promised without an in
crease Of taxation.
Sea power costs money. The American
taxpayers now realize this when they
hear OF the prices demanded for armor-
II remains 10 be seen how far the Ger
mans. the Russians. and the French viii
accept the sS-s truth"
Consideration is being given by naval
ordnance experts TO the invention OF some
armor device which will overcome the su-
periority impaired to an armor-piercing
projectile by a soft steel cap. The Bureau
of Ordnance has received several sug-
gestiOns the adoption of which their aD-
thOrs believe, would nullify .he effect Of
the soft-nosed shells.
AS the United States has led all other
nations in the adoption Of the soft -nosed
cap. it Is claimed that there is no cry
ing need for haste in providing American
men-of-war with additional protection.
! The authorities understand however.
that the success of American experiments
with the cap will lead other nations to
adopt the Invention. and il is therefore
desirable than some plan should be deter
mined upon TO overcome the superiority
which the she'll now possesses