The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-07
NAMES OF THE WORLD
ALL GREAT NATIONS INCREAS- ING THEIR SEA STRENGTH.
Great Britain in the Lead-France
 Second, But Far Behind-Spain Talks of New Ships.

Washington Special to Baltimore Sun.
 Great Britain easily first, France a poor second, Germany and Russia about even, with the United States and other powers scarcely in the race, is a fair estimate of the comparative strength of these powers on the seas, as drawn from recent reports received at the Navy De- pertinent upon the building programs of foreign naves.
 Great Britain is stronger, according to expert opinion, than France end Russia combined, with strength still to spare. With Germany thrown into the alliance and Japan added to Great Britain on the seas, the latter would easily sIrpass the combined strength of the three greatest continental naval powers today. Italy, 1t is said, might be added 10 the alliance and yet Great Britain and Japan might whip all four nations on the seas. With the United States a third party, the ex- perts in Great Britain say, the alliance could whip the rest. of the navies of the world.
 This comparison is based on the ships completed and under construction. The United States position, according to for eign estimates, should now be as near France as that of either Germany or Russia, both of which have made great strides in late years in naval expansion What each government is doing toward increasing her navy is given in official record as follows:
 France Still Second.
 Frances program of increase is second to that of Great Britain. France proba- bly, will continue to be the second mistress of the seas for many years, although, &C., cording to Lord Brassey, she Is not mak- ing such an advance as her position calls for. At present she has building three hot of ment, and three of the same type of more than 12000 tons displacement. Her power, however, lies in her armored crdisers, of which class she has under construction a number almost equaling that of Great Britian. Five of this class are of 12,550 tons, one of more than 1,0O tons, five of 10,014 tons and six ranging down to 7,7OO tons. She has also two pro- tected cruisers under construction. twenty four destroyers of sos tons each and about fifty other torpedo boat craft of less than 100 tons. The French pro- gram contemplates that thirty-seven Ves- sels will be laid during the present year. These are to be four battelships of l4,- S65 tons eaGh; two armored cruisers. each of 12,50O toifs; two destroyers, each of SB tons; sixteen first-class torpedo-boats and thirteen submarine boats. At the end of the present year there will be under constructor Tn all TOT the r TelCH navy 118 vessels
 Germany's Strides.
 Germany is following a program of in- crease agreed on some years ago and designed to place her ahead of Russia and the United States in amount of tonnage. Her fighting ships now building comprise four 1300O-ton battelshipS, five n,5OO-ton vessels of the same class and two of I1130 tons: four armored cruisers of heavy displacement and dozen protect ed cruisers also being part of her in crease plan.
 Germany is also building a number of gunboats and torpedo-boat craft. Her navy has made very rapid progress and is creating a large means for future ex- tension. The emperor seems to be accom- plishing his purpose to lift his country to a notable place among the maritime powers.
 What Great Britain is Doing.
 When it comes to great @;ritaln's stu pendous plan of naval increase that or all other nations look small Tn compari- son. To maintain naval force equal to that of any other two naval nations combined Great Britain is forced to eN- pend millions of pounds sterling annual ly' on new ships. Three battleships or 16,500 tons, five of 15, 600 tons and six ot 14,000 tons comprise her great feet of bat tleships now under construction.
 Of the armored cruiser class she is building twenty-four, ranging from l4.100 tons displacement down to $500 tons. These vessels are of the highest type.