The Calumet news., 1911-11-11
FRENCH NAVY IN
A CHAOTIC STATE
Report of the Naval Committee
Recommends a Complete
Reorganization
COST WILL BE $2SO,OOO,OOO
Calls for 20 Bsttleships, 10 Scout
Cruisers, So Torpedo Boats, 81
Submarines.

Paris. Nov. 1.-THE report of depu-
ties presented TO Parliament deal with
the reorganization of the French navy
now admittedly in a chaotic condi-
ton.
NJ. Nail, the reporter OF the navy
committee strongly emphasizes the
position taken by NJ. Delcasse, minis
ter Of marine who. from the moment
of assuming that Office, has proclaim
ed that it is the duty of France to re-
store herself Immediately to the posi-
ton of the second naval power of the
world. The Socialists strongly pro-
test against this program and viii
fight any plan for the building of ad-
ditional battleships.
Calls for 1873 War Vessels.
The report recommends a program
by which the effective strength of the
French navy shall be brought by 1920
to twenty eight battleships, six to be
of the Patrie type, six of the Danton
type and sixteen superdreadnoughts,
TO be built at the rate of two a year;
ten scout cruisers, fifty-two OCEAN
going torpedo boats and ninety four
submarines, all to be Incorporated in
sells for cruising i'm foreign or colonial
waters. The minimum cost of con-
struction involved on the program is
estimated at $2SO.0O0,OOO.
In regard to the army, the reports
to the chambers shows that but little
is needed in the way Of appropriations
but the cost OF upkeep.
Army Nearly Perfect.
The army organization is declared
to be as nearly perfect as 1t could be
made. According to NJ. Messimy, the
minister Of war. the effective strength
in time of peace has increased from
100000 men i'm 1875 to 5S1 900 at the
present time. In case Of an urgen mob
as war with Germany
IT is said that 100000 trained men be-
longing to recently discharged contin-
gents. soldiers Of the very highest
tIltlIlNNs Nbulu ut dSStAilblNh hhhti
the colors inside Of twenty-four hours.
These. together with the standing
force. would make up an army of
about 100000 men. ready for instant
service i'm the field. In addition to these
there are 100000 territorial troops,
and a total of 2,SOO,OOO men. fully
trained and equipped. could be put in
motion almost Immediately, the terri
torials becoming within a few weeks
almost as formidable as the regulars.
Army Of 4,5ooooo.
AS a last resort. France would be
able to command an army Of 100000
combatants, all of whom had at some
time been thoroughly drilled and all
Of whom could by the time they are
needed be armed and equipped forl
effective service.
These figures have restored the con-
fidence Of the French people I'm their
army. and while The general sentiment
is against war, there is prevalent n
belief that IL the country must fight
Germany sooner or later, the present Is 4
as good a time as any.
French preparedness for war on land
has been attained at tremendous
financial sacrifice. Snce 1872 the inn
pressive total Of $5,4OO, 100000 has been
expended upon the French army The
defenses alone have cost an
average expenditure of about $2O,OOO,-
BOO a year for the last twenty years.
The report of the budget committee
asks for a total FOR all government uses
Of more than s9OO,OOO,OOO for 1912, an
increase Of more than $35,00O,OOO over
the budget for this year. Among the
chief items of increase are some Slo'-
200 600 a year for the new system OF
pensions for working people; more
han $1,000, 600 for public works; So
ZOO 600 for posts and telegraphs, ana
smaller amounts for other public oper-
itions.