A FRENCH ADMIRAL ON THE INVASION OF ENGLAND.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2528, 22 September 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

A FRENCH ADMIRAL ON THE INVASION OF ENGLAND.

Vice-Admiral Dompibrre d'Horn'EV, interviewed by a representative of the Paris edition of tho New York Herald, after expressing a natural desire not to be asked any too pointed questions with regrard to France and England's relations, said—" To land 100,000 men in England, or even 50,000, is an impossibility, unless, of course, you can suppose that the English, warned of the enemy's intention, wore kindly to retire sufficiently, far from some large" beat>h offering a convenient lauding-plaoe, and allowthe operation to be performed without interference. Otherwise whore are the troops to land ? Ships of the size and tonnage required for the transport of 1 irgo numbers of- troops cannot run too close in shore. The embarking is nothing. For a nhort voyage rurli as tliat from any part of Northern Europe to England,, the majority of transport could carry 2000 men each, but thes men must be 'landed in ' cockle-shells,' unless England would lend one of her docks for the purpose. Then, again, it is not only a question of men. ]£° u mast have artillery and cavalry, if the'army is to do any service, and provisions and equipments. Think of the space occupied by heavy field artillery arid cavalry. This would almost double the oarrying power required, and require large, barges for landing , . Believe me, sir, England has no" cause to fear an invasion. She is surrounded by a belt of water worth''more to her than all the standing.armw, "Her position is infinitely superior to that of Continental nations, obliged to riim thorn selves to keep the whole "nation, under arms.". . '■'...:,•