The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-28
The True Cause of Europe's Naval
Expansion.

In the memorable debate which took
place last week in the French Chamber
of Deputies on the naval bill introduced
BY NJ. THOMPSON, the new Minister OF
Marine, not word was said about the
recent additions made to the United
States Navy. Evidently our big stick
has no terrors for the French Republic.
Had there been anywhere a lurking
apprehension that Mr.. ROOSEVELT s
naval policy might prove detrimental to
the national interests of France, which
next to Great Britain has of all Euro
pean Powers the largest stake in the
New World, it must have found utter
ance in the course of the anxious and
prolonged discussion. As matter of
fact all the speakers declared that what
their country had to fear was the huge
enlargement of the German Navy that
for some years has been going on and
is to continue until 1917, ut which date,
it was pointed out, Germany's strength
upon the ocean would be, as compared
with that of France, unless this also
should quickly be augmented, in the pro-
portion of five TO four. By the seldom
paralleled vote of $50 out of the SOL mem
bers that compose the Chamber, num-
Der of whom we're absent Che Ministry of
Marine was directed TO begin forthwith
the execution Of a naval programme
that would involve the expenditure on
new warships of twenty million dollars
annually for five years.
On the other side of the British Chan
nel there has been no attempt to conceal
the real cause of the tremendous increase
in the appropriations for the navy and
Of the remarkable change lately ordered
in the distribution of the British fleets.
Far from regarding with misgiving the
recent development of the sea power Of
the United States, the British Admiralty
regard it with complacency, believing
that their country's interests are never
again likely TO conflict with those OF the
great American republic, which is not
only the champion of the Monroe Doc
trine, and as such bound to maintain
the status Yuo in the New World, but
also the principal purveyor of food
stuffs to the United Kingdom. Neither,
of late, since the former causes of dis
sension have been removed and treaty
OF arbitration has been concluded be-
tween the British and French Govern
ments, has Great Britain evinced any
jealousy OF the French naval force, al
though this on paper and doubtless
for the moment in reality also, ranks
second on the list Of naval powers.
On the contrary it is frankly admitted
in and out of Parliament that the Ger
man naval programme. which will be
completed twelve years hence, If not
earlier, constitutes n serious menace to
the OUTLYING constituents of the British
Empire. if not to the United Kingdom
itself Having but a very few outlying
points to defend, Germany will eventu-
ally be able to concentrate on a given
objective a considerably larger force
than Britain could readily muster for the
safeguarding OF the place assailed. The
British Isles themselves, if they are to
remain inviolate, need a new scheme
of naval protection facing the south
shore of the North Sea, 10 which end the
British Admiralty have decided not only
to withdraw practically all of the war
ships heretofore stationed in the West
| Indies, but also 10 make such changes
In the composition and localization of
the so-called Atlantic, Mediterranean,
Channel and Home squadrons as shall
permit them TO keep permanently CEN
trallzed an irresistible force on the east
ern and southeastern coasts OF England.
We ourselves are deeply Interested in
the strengthening of the French Navy
resolved upon by the Chamber Of Depu-
ties. It is highly improbable that France