Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-12
Work on the \. orId's Navies.


The New York Tribune republishes
from the London Times review of the
naval work accomplished by the lead
ing nations of the world during 1902,
and it is a showing of much interest
to the American reader. This country
is alone among the great powers in
fixed plan of naval construction pre-
arranged for a term of years. The
United States determines each years
work for itself alone and yet it is get
ting on in comparatively good fash
ion, and it's activity, at least for the
past year, was the most imposing
showing made.
France was engaged upon no fewer
than rs large vessels, q greater num-
Der than any other had in hand OF
these nine were battleships, with an
aggregate tonnage of 1898, and 16
were armored cruisers, with a total of
154,997 tons. Germany surpassed
France in number of battleships, with
TO- aggregating 1892 tons, though
their average was smaller than Frances
but she had in hand only four armored
cruisers of 35,54S tons. Russia was
strongest of the three in battleships,
with 10, of 132,75S tons, but had only
one armored cruiser of 1900 tons. Italy
came fourth on the list, with seven
battleships of S9,974, tons, but only one
armored cruiser of 1900 TONS The
figures for Japan are not given, but
they We're inferior to Italy's. OF
course the British navy outranked all
these, but it's figures are not included
in the review.
Now for the United States. We were |
at work last year, according to this |
same authority, upon a total of "a |
large vessels. OF these thirteen were |
battieships, number considerably ex-
ceeding that of any of the European |
powers named. Their average tom
mage was 14,112, or ass tons heavier
than those Of France, the next heav-
lest; and their aggregate tonnage was
1SS,451, or more than $4,000 tons more
than that of Russia's, which stood next
in total weight. AS compared with
Germany, we were at work on three
more ships than she, and nearly Co.,
900 more tons. In battleship construc-
ton, therefore, America was easily
vastly surpassed all excepting France,
70 which country we stood second in
numbers and total tonnage, though we
her in average tonnage
Thus we had II cruisers to her IS, ag-
10000 tons to her 154,997,
out averaging 1850 tons to her 9625.
t may well be contended that our II
zig cruisers are equal to her Is small
er ones. Finally it is to be observed
hat our grand aggregate of tonnage in
hese two classes of ships-the real
lighting strength of navy-was 324,-
81, while Frances was only 277,915.
Sermany's 1880, or less than half of
,urs; Russia's 140,55S, and Italy's 97,-
IA. We were, therefore, building a
more powerful fighting fleet than Rus
ia and Germany put together.
These figures, it is to be remem-
,ered, stand as part of a continuous
program for the other countries, while
or the United States they represent
Jingle years work which may or may
lot be duplicated, this year or next
such review of the year is an argu-
nent for this country to keep on it's
resent good work that our navy may
lways be ready to deal with any
No country, save pos
IDLY England, is more dependent upon
navy to protect its rights and pre-
erve peace than this country. If ever
foe assails US he will come by wa
er and must be met on the water. Ev-
ry dollar put into our navy is a good
lvestment. That branch of our gov