CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.-COPYRIGHT.]

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 21, 25 July 1898, Page 5

CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGR APH.-COPYRIGHT.]

> THE MISTRESS OF THE SEAS. 4 ANOTHER GREAT SHIPBUILDING PROGRAMME. TWENTY NEW VESSELS, AT A COST OV £15,000,000. [PREBS ASSOCIATION.] London, 23rd July. In the House of Commons, Mr. Gosohe"n (First Lord of the Admiralty) submitted a supplementary naval programme. The right hon. gentleman said that 41 first-class battleships had been built or were in course of construction which were unmatchable by the battleships of any other two Powers. The two mighty 23-knot cruisers included in the programme submitted in March wore designed to destroy tho corsair t\'pe of cruiser. The action of Russia in largely increasing her naval programme since his original programme was submitted, though probabty not meant as a menace, rendered parallel action necessary. Russia, in 1898, commenced to build six battleships aud lour cruisers, though only two of these battleships had been constructed when his March programme was prepared. Mr. Goschen proposed the construction of four additional battleships, superior to the Formidable type (which consists of vessels of 15,000 ions and 15,000 horse-power, steaming 18 knots an hour), and able to pass through the Suez Canal without lightering, four cruisers of ;i type not yet disclosed, and 12 torpedo-boal " destroyers, costing £8,000,000, and making the total naval vote £15,000,000. The construction of the newvessels is to be spread over a period of four years. Lord Charlps Beresford said the programme submitted by Mr. Goschen was not satisfactory. Sir William Harcourt (Leader of the Opposition) denounced the hugger-mugger, haphazard way of annexing £8,000,000. The House of Commons aud the press almost unanimously approve the propoaals. A WARNING TO FRANCE AND RUSSIA. London, 24th July. Inasmuch as the Supplementary Estimates will not be submitted 1o the House of Commons till spring, it is surmised that Mr. Goscben's Navy increase scheme is meant as a warning to Russia and France. NAVAL AND ARMY RESERVE SCHEMEb. PROPOSED CONFERENCE WITH THE COLONIES. London, 22tul July. It is reported that Mr. Goschen, First Lord of the Admiralty, and Mr. Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, desire an Imperial Conference for the purpose of arranging an annual contribution to the Army and Navy Reserves in fair proportion. It is believed that Canada is favourable to a conference being held* 24th July. The Admiralty authorities are favourable to the establishment of a Naval Reserve in Newfoundland. (Received July 25, 1.20 p.m.) London. 24th July. Mr. Goschen states that the new battleships built or building could not be matched for power, speed, or efficiency by the battleships of any' other two Powers.