Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-01
WATTS HAGUE RESULTS
Statement of British Naval Esti-
mates for 19O7-8.
NOVEL FEATURE is SHOWN
To Build One Ship Less if Understand
ing is Reached.
THE BATTLESHIP DREADNOUGHT
Lord of the Admiralty Exploited Salts
factory Performances Of
Noted Warship.

LONDON, March IA statement Of the
naval estimates for 19O7-OS, presented to
parliament last night, introduces a novel
feature, as it makes the construction of
battleships during the coming year de-
pendent in a measure on the decisions
reached at the next peace conference at
The Hague. Thus the new construction, es-
timated at SAC, 800 900, against $40 1851 600 for
19O8-O7 will, says Lord Tweedmouth, first
lord of the admiralty, include two, or, un-
less an understanding between the naval
powers is reached at The Hague confer
ence, three large armored vessels of the
Dreadnought type"
One fas unarmored cruiser, five torpedo
boat destroyers, twelve torpedo boats and
twelve submarines also are provided for.
On April l there will be under construc
ton five battleships, seven armored cruis-
ers, eight torpedo-bOat deStroyerS, seven
teen torpedo boats and twelve submarines.
The estimates for the year show a total re-
duction of one thousand men and 5,615, 600,
compared to 19O607.
Improvement in Gunnery.
Lord Tweedmouth comments on the strik-
ing improvement in the gunnery of the fleet
compared to last year. The average of
hits was practically doubled, and the i'm
provement was general throughout the fleet
and not confined to a picked selection of
crack ships. The first lord of the admiralty
mentions also the highly satisfactory per-
formances of the battleShip Dreadnought
and the greater efficiency that has resulted
from the system of nucleus crews. AS an
illustration of this system and the better
state of repair resulting from 1t, he COM
pares the condition of January, 1904, when
out of sixty batteships thrty-eight were
not available, owing to the need of repairs,
with that of January, 1907, when out OF
fifty-one battleships only eight We're not
available.
In dealing with the redistribution of the
fleets Lord Tweedmouth touched indirectly
on the position of Admiral Lord Beresford.
He explained that the home fleet was still
in process of development, and that some
time would eapse before it could reach its
full strength.
The Home Fleet.
He said the fleets at home would continue
to be combined for war purposes under the
orders of the commander of the channel
fleet Lord Beresford, while the channel.
Atlantic and home fleets would carry out
their periodic maneuvers together under
his command This is believed to meet
Lord Beresfords objection that practically
all vessels of the destroyer class had been
taken from the channel squadron for the
home fleet, as Lord Beresford is now In
virtual command OF both.
Continuing, Lord Tweedmouth said in his
statement that the channel and Atlantic
fleets still occupied the principal fighting
position, and would in no way be interfered
with by the home fleet except in case of
totally unforeseen outbreak of war during
the absence of the channel and Atlantic
fleets from home waters.
Lord Tweedmouth notes the fact that the
first cruiser squadron is going to James
town for the opening of the exposition.
The total of the naval estimates is $751;
212,O45.