SECONJj EDITION. THE FRENCH NAV'f.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 302, 25 June 1909, Page 5

SECOND EDITION. THE FRENCH NAVY.

A SENSATIONAL REPORT. Press Assn— By telegraph— Copyright. PARIS, last night. The French Navy Commission, in a sensational report, declares that France has spent £120,000,000 in the last decade and Germany rather less, yet Franco was the second naval Power a decade ago and was now fourth, while Germany, . which -was fourth, was now second. This was due to the absence of organisation in the ships ordered. Before the plans were completed six battleships of the Danton typo cost 50 per cent, above the estimates. There 'Was. not a single graving dock to accommodate' the Dantons. These would be finished in 1911, b\it the guns and mountings would- only be ready iv 1914 and 1915. Some of the guns were ordered without the, models being tested. Defects in the existing guns caused' so many accidents that tlie. Mediterranean Squadron had abandoned firing practice. Some of the big -guns were worn out after 100 rounds. .