New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-10-21
DREADNOUGHT'S WORK
British BattlesMp VIII ReUolutionisc
NaU0l Construction.
London, October 10,

expectation The Dreadnought, a battleship. de-
signed for twenty-one knots. has maintained an
average Of twenty-one and half knots for eight
hours and twenty-five and a quarter knots for
three hours The turbines have operated salts
factorfly at low and cruising speed as we'll as at
maximum speed. and her manruvring power
has been thoroughly tested The designed $4,000
horsepower has been exceeded, and the experts
OF the Admiralty profess to be convinced that
she can make under the most favorable condi
tons twenty-three and half or twenty-four
knots without undue forcing of the engines. The
success OF this turbine battleship in exceeding
the sea speed of the fastest armored cruisers and
ocean liners is so complete that the English
press does not find II easy to restrain its jubila
ton over really splendid triumph of naval en-
cheering The croal1ers either silenced or
forced TO fall back upon the late Admiral
CoIomb's dictunl, that fighting power must not
be sacrificed maximum speed-a conclusion
with which Captain Mahan is apparently in fun
agreement. Yet it is by no means evident that
1t has been done in this instance The Dread
nought is not inferior either in armor or in gun
fire to her most formidable rivals in other naVies
and her effectiveness in action will be largely in
creased by her superior steadiness and the alb
sence Of vibration. The experts are not yet in
agreement, but it is highly probable that a prob
lem which Admiral Colomb considered i'm
practicable as the souaring of the circle has been
solved, and that superiority in speed has been
secured without any material sacrifice of fight
ing power.
The Dreadnought will revolutionize naval con-
str11ction. There is other battleship IN the
British navy that can compete with her in speed,
gun fire and defensive qualities and there is no
steadier vessel for the substitution OF turbines
for ordinary steam mechanism has carried the
weights lower in the hold. There battleship
in any foreign feet that is match for her in
speed battery or mannuvTing power. Her su-
periority involves the necessity for overhauling
navies at home and abroad Three more Dread
thoughts are be laid down in British yards. so
that there will be four for squadron In France.
Germany, Japan. Italy and America turbine bat
tleships of improved pattern viii inevitably
be constructed within few years No maritime
mower can efford 10 bear the reputation Of hav-
ing an obsolete fleet. and new construction is
now necessary without the usual experimental
transition period. The British Admiralty, in
stead of introducing turbines cautiously and
gradually increasing the dimensions of all types.
has gone forward with precptate rush and
accomplished in two years what would ordi-
narily be done in twenty years Outclassing
everything afoat, re Dreadnougnt becomes at
once the most destructive ship ever launched.
Without Il single fight. battleships and ar
rnored cruisers are doomed 10 early retirement
by the success OF this unique vessel. Every
maritime government is confronted with the ne
cessity for naval construction a large and
costly scnie. Battleships, armored cruisers de-
stroyers and submarines will have greater d.
mansions and superior gun fire. and turbines will
come into general use. let the cost be what
It may.
The success of the Dreadnought increases the
difficulty of reducing naval ornaments. How
can the British Admiralty suspend shipbuilding,
tod haf
is behind the times? How other maritime
powers set an example of economy in construc
ton. when their navfes are now outclassed and
obsolete? II IS not strange that the Liberal
ministry here which has insisted upon entering
the Peace Congress at The Hague with clean
hands and a record for consistency. is en-
barrassed by the revolution brought by the
genius and enterprise of naval designers. 1t is
consulting informally with other governments
regarding the practicability of securing a gen
eral agreement respecting a reduction of arma-
ments. Not content with putting itself in the
right attitude this question, it is also dis
posed to take a strong stand in favor Of the
amendment of international law. The Prime
Minister, the Lord Chancellor. the secretary to
the Admiralty and other members of the ca binet
are reported 30 9e converts TO the American
principle that private property under any flag
shall be exempt from seizure ard attack on the
high seas in tiT-s y! war. AS economists advo-
eating a reduction of naval ornaments they
are logical in taking up the American policy
although British opinion was hostile to it when
II was brought forward at the last Peace Con-
gress. The necessity for having powerful
navy to defend British commerce has been one
Of the most available grounds for justifying
costly schemes of constructions The leading
English journal once summed up the case in a
single sentence: IF commerce is no longer TO
De attacked at sea by all powers might largely
reduce their ornaments"
1t will be least a curious result Of so
great triumph in Admiralty engineering as
the construction Of the turbine battleship If the
British government instructs it's delegates to
the next Peace Congress TO support the Amerf-
can policy for the protection of private nrop-
erty ct sea Signs are not wanting that this
may be done Mr.. Justice Kennedy has openly
advocated this reform of the international laws
OF naval warfare ar the recent conference in
Berlin 1.-THE Manchester Guardian" the most
Hnoenla1 and consistent organ of progressive
liberalism in the kingdom has warmly gun
ported this course and shown how remarkably
the English official view has changed since the
last congress at The Hague. This is a reform,
IT has said. which have for MANY wears
regarded as perhaps the most salutary and fruit
ful in the whole field of international law and
nothing, 10 our mind, is Of better augury for
the future than the way in which II has forced
itself to the front In spite Of the official how
colt put upon IL in this country" After quot
ing Sir Henry Names commentator of the
American governments action at the Paris Con-
ference and Mr. Edmund Robertson's restate-
rnenf Of the case in memorandum on food
supplies. st adds these significant words: eft
land, which does the carrying trade of the
world and is absolutely denendent on %orai,,