The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-26
ENGLAND'S NAVY
 WAS UNPREPARED Build New Type Seagoing
 DestrOyers NEW LINER ORDERED To Be Biggest Ship in World-SugaE Beet Cultivation Progressing in
 England = To Discuss
 Air Worthiness"
By PHrLLrp EVERETT

London. November 25.-AfSpecial.) )-Great | anxiety has been caused by persistent ru- | mors that during the recent political | crisis. when a war between Germany and I France seemed imminent, the government discovered that the British navy was any thing but prepared for an emergency. that the naval stores were short of all
 kinds of supplies, and that the reserves of coal were inadequate. 3s I am able to say on the very highest authority, that of the First Lord Ad- miral Sir Arthur Wilson. that this rumor is without foundation. The admiral as- sures me that the British navy at this mo- ment occupies position of the highest efficiency and is ready for any possible or probable combination.
 In the course of the next few weeks the admirality will invite tenders for the constructing of a number of seaboing destroyers of an entirely new type. EX- periments which have been made suggest the possibility that the vessels may at tain an unprecedented speed with com paratively small internal combustion en- zines. The introduction of such engines naturally would effect great economies of both labor and space, as gas would be the sole agency employed, though pro- vision would be made for carrying a stock of oil fuel to be employed when running at reduced speed, or as reserve in case of emergency.
 The competition for the honor of owning the largest liner in the world seems to only beginning, though the White Star line directors seem determined to retain the coveted distinction. It is reported in Belfast on excellent authority that Ismay Imrie & Co. have ordered from Messrs Harland & Folff, Ltd, new liner over 100 feet longer than the Olympic and Titanic, the two largest liners at present afloat.
 The dimensions of these two ships are as follows: Length, SS2 feet g inches breadth, 92 feet inches, and total height from keel to navigating bridge, 104 feet. Their displacement is about 60,0o0 tons. The length of the new leviathan will therefore, be but few feet short of 1000 feet.
 Indirect confirmation of the above re- port was forthcoming at the meeting of the Belfast harbor commissioners a few days ago when 1t was decided to ask the engineer to furnish report on the altera- ton of the new graving dock in order to accommodate larger vessels than the Olypmic and Titanic. tFT
 The harvesting and analysis of the con siderable crops of sugar beet grown in England this year have been watched with great interest, especially by the Dutch. Foreign crops, particularly in Germany, failed signally, and sugar has risen to a great price. In consequence l owners of foreign factories are looking to England as reserve growing ground, Plans for number of English fac tories have reached more or less ad- vanced stage: one in East Anglia, one near Kiddermnster one in Soffolf, as well as the defeated scheme of Lord Den bigh and the South Lincolnshire farm CTS. It is not improbable that the Dutch, in cooperation with English specialists, may themselves found factory in East Anglia. They undoubtedly would if Eng fish farmers were more sympathetic.
 Unfortunately the East Anglian crops grown for the Holandia company proved far from satisfactory, owing largely to want of knowledge in the culture. The roots were of very uneven size, they were sent off unwashed, and the subse- quent weights, when the roots were cleaned, came as a great disappointment. cleaned, came as a great disappointment. founding factory comes from the farmers who should be most benefited It is ex- tremely difficult to persuade them to grow