THE FAR EAST.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume 29, Issue 1478, 26 February 1898, Page 3

THE FAR EAST.

A recent number of the Standard gave the relative strength of the British and foreign fleets in Chinese waters before the Baiifleur, (>ibraltar, and Victorious were ordered out. Following is a table showing the tonnage and a second shewing the weipht of metal fired by these vessels at one service of their guns : Tosnaob ok Smrs. Already in On the . China Waters. way out. England .. ' " .. 68,770 20,550 Russia .. .. 88,500 20,300 Germany .. .. 16,600 11,500 France ... .. 10,000 4,100 Weight of Metal Fired. Pounds. Pounds. England .. .. 14,600 3,000 Russia ... .. 10,170 7,590 Germany .. .. 5,910 4,620 France .. .. 2,626 706

The Japanese Beet is not included, because its superiority is manifest and overwhelming ; a:id only fighting units of largesize are counted. Torpedo craft, which will exercise a very important influence upon any struggle, are excluded ; but here we bave no ereat superiority, as against our four destroyers and six torpedo-boats the Ru*sians have two fast torpedo gunboats, two sea-goir>g boats, and about a duzeu small torpedo-boats It is much to be wished (says the Standard) that the Terrible might l>e sent without delay to the Far East, and the armoured cruiser Warspite would be a useful reinforcement, taking into consideration the number of armoured ships which our rivals maintain in Chinese waters.