New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-01
KING REVIEWS FLEET
Il GREAT NAVAL PAGEANT
Significance of Czars pist or
Coues-Britain Supreme on Sea.
[By cahl. to The Tribuns.l

by Gable to The Irleunel
London, July 3l-The King has reviewed to-
day in the Solent the first line OF naval detehce
consisting of more than one hundred and fifty
war vessels OF all classes. II has seven Dread
noughts and Indemitables which have not yet
been duplicated in any European fleet, although
the Nassau and Westphalen are nearly READY
for service in Germany, and with the remain
ing battleships and cruisers II constitutes
floating rampant Of invincible strength: yet
powerful 1T is. there are reserves behind II
in other ports. with a nucleus OF crews by when
1t could be enlarged TO an armada Of more IMAM
three hundred and sixty ships The system of
mobilization is SO complete that the King only
needs to signal from his yacht in order 10 have
the entire second line in readiness in forty-elght
hours with the third and fourth divisions OF the
home feet
The trident is still held securely by England
for while Germany may have thirteen Dread
neughts against twenty by the end OF 1872, she
has neither a first nor e second line OF pre-
Dreadnought warships which can be pitted
against the British navy. ! hot 1T has followed
cold spasn The experts are now proelalmlng
the supremacy of the Kings navy over the
combined fleets of Europe, and are ceneeding
that home defence is secured by the voluntary
army. and that horde OF conscripts is net nee
essary for preventing invasion Of the island
kingdom.
The Victoria and Albert has steamed to-day
through the lanes formed by the lines OF the
feet, and a large group of royalties has wit
messed sham attack by the aetilla Of sub
marines on the Dreadnought and other battle
ships There will be similar review and tor
pedo evolutions on Monday. when the CEar ar
riVes from Cherheurg. The Kings yacht will
meet the STANDARD and the Polar Star, and after
salutes have been exchanged the Gear will en-
bark on the Victoria and Albert and the two
seVereigns will inspect the fleet from the bridge.
two Russian cruisers following the yachts
through the lines The STANDARD will finally be
meored alongside the Kings yacht. and the fleet
will be Illuminated at night The royalties will
form a large family party for welcoming the
Car and Empress, and the imperial visitors will
be safer within the circle Of warships than in
any Russian stronghold; yet precautions will
not be neglected. Picket boats. with armed
guards, will surround the STANDARD day and
night, and large force Of detectives will he
employed az Cowes
The contrast between the floating batteries
with their scientific mechanism OF destructive
warfare. and the racing yachts and pleasure
craft riding az anchor in the peaceful Solent is
striking. When every battleship and cruiser is
dressed over all, with the Russian ensign in the
place OF honor, and the yachts assembled for the
regatta are gayly decked with bunting, there
VIII be stage setting OF Incompatible impress
slVeness and beauty for the meeting OF the SOW
efeigns. The spectacular arrangements are per-
haps more important than the actual confer
ence OF the sovereigns. The Foreign Offices can
discuss diplomatic matters in detail, but it is
King Edwards privilege to offer the final DEM
onstration that the entente between England
ana the two partners in the French Russian al
lance is hearty. intimate and trustworthy and
tflat the superior military resources Of the tripIe
allance are balanced by the overwhelming adj
vantage of the United Kingdom in sea power.
The King is not SO fully preoccupied with social
engagements and the pleasures Of horse racing
as TO forget his responsibilities as master dip
lomatist and tina worlds chief reacemaker
L