Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-19
WORLDS TOY NAVIEs
SEVENTEEN WAR
SHIPS OF LITTLE REAL USE


striving might and main in the struggle for
naval supremacy, there are one or two i'm
portant countries to whom a navy, in the
modern sense OF the word, IL unnecessary
and useless. Such countries are diplomat
ically known as neutral powers
The most typical instance In this con-
nection is that of Belgium. Although
sandwiched between France and Germany,
apprehensions of annexation by either
never perturb the minds Of the Belgian
politicians. The great powers mutually
guarantee Belgium's integrity. The Bel
gian fleet, however. comprises seventeen
vessels, but the last thing they would be
fit for Is fighting.
The larger number are employed as mail
packets, and any traveller who has Jour-
neyed between England and Ostend in a
packet flying the red yellow and black tri
color has really made the trip on Belgian
man-ofwar. The two crack warshps are
OF TBS tons and have speed of twenty-one
knots The officers navigating the vessels
comprise the naval reserve.
Those vessels which are not employed in
the purely pacific capacity are maintained
for the protection of the fishing along the
coast. In addition to this fleet. however.
there are a number of shallow draught,
stern-wheel boats patrolling the rivers Of
the Congo, but this navy is distinct from
that Of Belgium proper Yet the country
has ambitions toward naval supremacy, for
there are two coast defense vessels and
six torpedo boats projected.
Mexican Navy No Menace.
In view of the large extent of sea line
Of Mexico the navy possessed by that coun-
try for the defense of its coast verges upon
the ridiculous. The Inhabitants cannot
complain of being ground down by taxa
ton to support their navy since it COM
,ric a;rrl%
are wofuliy obsolete The four largest and
most recent were constructed in 1923 and
are $50 tons and sixteen knots speed.
Still. Mexico has, no fear. Hands off!'
is the cry of Uncle Sam when any power
casts longing eyes upon Mexico and it's
wealth. But the extent of Mexicos in
terests and her reviving prosperity demand
extra naval force, and a program has beea
elaborated for six cruisers and eight tor
pedo boats, spread over fiwA years, AT al
outlay of $1.O00,OO0 a year.
Egypt is another country which has been
saved the necessity of building up a navy
by its protection under England's wing.
True, there are some forty boats com
prisfng a fleet, but the majority oe these
may safely be placed in the same category
the Thames steamboats-they are about
ancient and efficient
One Egyptian man-of-war when not
belching forth shot and shell, serves as the
khedive's yacht: another as transport
and several in the capacity of coast guard
steamers.
Nations With a Gunboat Apiece.
Many of the South American states
though immune from European aggres-
sion, thanks to the Monroe doctrine yet
maintain navies-just, 1t were, ito keep
their hand in for quarrels between them
almost of everyday occurrence. Per-
haps the smallest and most bizarre are
those of Paraguay and San Salvador The
co. I,n, e
ing four three-pounder guns, and two
smaller steamers. while the latter power
is still worse equipped for her solitary gun
boat is only 20 tons, and the armament
consists of one small quick-firing gun.
Some of these powerS-such as Ecuador
and the effervescent Acknowledgements
secondhand warships. Ecuador has two
old wooden and iron tubs, purchased from
France, while Venezuela acquired an obSO-
lete Spanish torpedo gunboat, which now
acts as flagship.
1t would be interesting to learn the sal
aries which the admirals of the navies Of
Liberia, Cambodia Korea or Persia receive
in respect of their duties, and, further
more exactly what their duties comprise.
The Liberian admiral has probably the
easiest office. A year two ago there
We're two vessels demanding his super
vision, but one unfortunately, foundered
while at anchor The remaining vessel,
the Rocktown. a steam schooner Is scarce
~ sufficiently seaworthy to venture beyond
shallow water. and the crew 1t would APP
pear pass their time ''potting' seagulls.
Corea Has Two Warships.
OF late the Korean navy has faded into
oblivion in comparison with the titanic
forces that lately met in those waters. But
there are two vessels-the Chi Rong of 100
tons and the Bankchef Henrikson of 600
tons What their speed is would make an
entertaining guessing competition. Both
Warshps, by the way, were procured from
Norway, and so indifferent is the country
to naval affairs that they have not yet
troubled to change the name of the second
vessel which still retains its original Nor
wegian nomenclature.
Another curious little navy Is that OF
Sarawak. The present representative or
Rajah Brooke cannot renounce his Eng
lish desires for n navy, SO has gathered
together a motley fleet of three vessels
the Lorna Doone and the Alne small screw
steamers each carrying two small guns and
a small paddleboat.
Morocco boasts two small vessels. through
obsolete, they are more formidable than
the Costa Rican men-of-war or those OF
Johore Even volcanic Hayu maintains a
navy to strike additional terror into the
hearts of it's. foes. 1t Is motley heet IN
being, and one shot from six-inch gun
Ol1 stony ont Of hlJ q