THE BRITISH NAVY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2317, 28 July 1898, Page 17

THE BRITISH NAVY.

A SUPPLEMENTARY PHO-

GHAMM K.

London, July 22,

It is reported that Mr Gojchen and Mr Chamberlain desire a conference for the purpose of arranging the annual contribution to tbe army and navy reserves in a fair proportion. It is believed Canada is favoarable to a conferor.ee bsing held.

July 23,

The Admiralty authorities are favourable to the establishment of a naval reserve in Newfoundland.

The Standard's Moscow correspondent states that Rue&ia has suddenly made a large redaction in her naval, programme.

In the House of Commons Mr Goschen, Firat Lord cj the Admiralty, Bubmitted a supplementary naval programme. He stated 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. Two mighry 23-kuot cruisers included in tbe programme he submitted in March were designed to destroy the Corsair type of cruiser. The action of Russia in largely increasing her naval programme since his original programme was submitted, though probsbly not meant as a menace, lendered parallel action necessary, Russia in 1898 corameticed isix battleships and four cruisers, though oniy two of these battleships had been considered when his March programma was prepared. Mr Goschen proposed the construction of four additional battleships superior to the Formidable type and able to pass through tbe Suez Canal without lightering, four cruisers of a type not disclosed, and 12 torpedo boat destro>eis — costing eight millions, and making the total naval vote 15 millions.

The construction of the new vessels is to ba spread over four years.

Lord Charles Beresford said the programme submitted by Mr. Goschen was not satisfactory. Sir W. V. Harcouit denounced the hugger- \ mugger, haphazard way of annexing eight j millions. * j Tho House of Commons and the press almost unanimously approve of the proposals. Later. Inasmuch as the Supplementary Estimates i will not be submitted to the House of Commons till the spring, it is eurmised Mr (Joschen's navy increase soheme is meant as a warning to Russia and France. July 24. Mr Goechen, First Lord of the Admiralty, states that the new battle? hips built or buildiDg could not be matched for power, speed, or efficiency by the battleships of any other two of the Powers. A return has been published to the Imperial Parliament, at the instance of Sir Charles Dilke, M.P., showing the fleets of flre^t Britain, Trance, Russia, Germany, It. ! , United Stalea, , a .nd Jipan. Tho ifcturu shows as follows : — j GHEVT BRITAIN. I Battleships completed, 52 ; building, 0 ; ordered, 3 -.—total, 61. Cruisers (armoured), 18 ; building, 4; ordered, 4;— total, 26. Cruisers (pioteeted). 95 ; building, 2i ;-- total, 119. Cruiser* (unprotected), 16. Coast defence vessels (armoured), 15. Special vessels, 3 Torpedo boats, 35. Torpedo boat destioyers, 52 ; building, 46 ;— total, 08. Torpedo boats, first class, 3. Grand total. 379. FIUXCK. Battleships completed, 27 ; building, 8 :— total, 35. Cruiseis (armoured), 9 : building. 10 ;— total, 19. CiuUers (protected), 30; building. 10;— total, 40. Cruisers (unprotected), 16. Const defence vessels (armoured), 14. Special vessel, 1. Torpedo vessels. 13 ; buildinp, 2;— total, 15. Torpedo boats, 4 ; buildiug, 2 ;— total, 6 Torpedo boat destroyers, building, 8. Grand total, 154. RUSSIA. Battleships completed, 12 ; building, 6 ; to be completed this year, 4;— total,4 ;— total, 22. l/ruisers (armoured), 10; buiWing, I;—total,1 ;— total, 11. Cruieers (protected), 3 ; building, 3 ; to be commenced this year, 2;— total, 8. Cruisers (unprotected), 3. Coast defence vessels (armoured), 15; building, 1 ; —total, 16. Special vessels, 5. Torpedo vessels, 37, Torpedo boats, 3. Torpedo boat destroyers. 1 ; bui) .ing, 28 ;— total, 29. Grand total, 114. GERMANY. Battleships completed, 17 ; building, s;— total, 22, Cruisers (armoured), 3 ; buildiug, 2 ;— total, 5. Cruisers (protected), 7 ; building, B;— total, 15. Cruisers (unprotected), 21 Coast defence vessels (armoured), 11 Torpedo vessels, 2. Torpedo boats, 4. Grand total, 81.

Battleships completed, 15 Cruisers (armoured), 3. Cruisers (pi otected), 15; building, 3;— total, 18 Cruiser (unprotected), 1. Special vessels, "2 Torpedo vestels, 15. Torpedo boats, 3 ; buttdiDg I;—total,1 ;— total, 4 Torpedo doat destroyer (building), 1. Total, 59.

UNITED STATES. Battleships completed, 5 ; buildiug, 8 j— total, 13. Cruisers (armoured). 2; cruisers (protected), 14; building, I;—total,1 ;— total, 15. Cruisers (unprotected), 10 coast defence vessels (armoured), 20 ; special ve.-j»), \. Torpedo boats, 3 ; building, 14 ;- total, 17 Torpedo boat destroyers, building, 20 Grand total, 88.

JAPAN, Battleships completed, 3 ; building, 3 ;— total, 6. Cmisevs (armoured), 1; 'building, b;— total, 7. Cruisers (unprotected), 8 ; building, 1 ;-total, 9. Cruisers (protected), 10 ; building, b ;— -total, 10. Torpedo vessels, 1. Torpedo boats (buiKhng), 2. Torpedo boat destroyers (building), 8. Coast defence vessels, 3. Grand total 52.

A b&ker was seriously injured recently at Goulburn, New South Wales, through tb« burjtiDg of ft yeast bottle.