THE FRENCH NAVY.

West Coast Times, 25 June 1909, Page 3

THE FRENCH NAVY.

SENSATIONAL REPORT

[by telegraph— per press association.]

PARIS, June 24.— The French Navy Commission has presented a sensational report. It declares that France has spent 120 million sterling during the last decade, and Germany rather less, yet France was the second naval power a decade ago, while now she is only fourth. Germany was then fourth, but is now second. This, the report states, has been due to the absence of organisation to the ships being ordered before the plans were completed. The six battleships in the Danton type now builing would be 50 per cent above the estimates. There is not a single graving dock to accommodate the Dantons. These vessels would be finished in 1911, but the 'guns and ammunition would not be ready till 1914. Further, there had been some guns ordred without tlieir models being tested. Defects in the existing guns had caused so many accidents that the Mediterranean Squadron had abandoned firing practice. Some big guns were worn out after 100 rounds.