Comparative Figures in Naval Annual.

Progress, Volume IV, Issue 7, 1 May 1909, Page 230

Comparative Figures in Naval Annual.

fill certain organs of the press at the advance of the German Navy alternately impel one to laughter and make one grow hot with shame to think that outpourings so unworthy of a great and self-reliant nation should be read on the other side of the North Sea." He goes on to point out that "unless attacked by some unthinkable combination our position is unassailable." At the same time he has his eye on the future and he sees there abundant reason if not for actual disquiet at all events ample justification for an extended naval programme. He certainly realises the importance of the Dreadnought change. "Now these two things are as certain ;}j> anything in the mutable sphere of human affairs can be: — (1) That Germany will have twenty -five Dreadnoughts and Indomitables at sea in the spring of 1915, and possibly if the new proposals of the German Navy League are adopted, another six Indomitables, making 31 in all. But let us keep on sure ground and say 25. (2) That Japan contemplates having before the end of 1913, a fleet of twenty modern fii\>tclass battle-ships of which, even if we make liberal concessions as to the efficiency of her existing fleet, ten will be Dreadnoughts and then must be added at least six Indomitables or their equivalents. There will also be somewhere, and heaven knows in whose hands, the Ninas Gcraes and her two sister ships. We have at the present time, building and projected, fourteen Dreadnoughts and Indomitables. If we maintain our professed rate of construction we shall have thirty-four Dreadnoughts and Indomitables at sea in the spring of 1915, including the Lord Nelson and Agamemnon, as against a minimum of thirty-five in the hands of the two Powers 1 have named." This he pronounces not sufficient to rely on. "The prospect,'' he concludes, "is a serious one, but it is of no use to live in a fool's paradise. The nation must be made to look facts in the face, and one may perhaps hope that the greater the evidence it gives of an earnest and robust spirit, the less formidable will its task prove to be." His very last words published immediately after October last in the Fleet Annual for 1909, are prophetic. "Determination at home, moreover, to maintain the defence and uphold the rights of the sons of the Empire, will prove the surest way to secure the assistance of the said sons of the Empire in maintaining the peace of our peoples." If we doubt the prophetic character of this utterance we only have to ask Sir Joseph Ward about it, or any member of his Cabinet. Even Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P.. would be a safe authority on the point.

G Biitam Ships of the line — Dreadnoughtb 9 Other battleships 38 Armoured cruiseis 9 USA 0 22 4 Geimauy 0 20 1 Tota 0 42 5 56 26 21 47 Armament — Guns 12-11 ... 236 „ 10-9-2 . . 106 „ B'7 ... 74 „ 6 ... 43G 88 16 216 214 40 44 0 336 128 60 216 550

In these tables the Indomitables are included witluthe Dreadnought class. The writer. Mr Gerard Fiennes, has many more figures showing our present superiority in small craft, especially in submarines He makes in connection therewith some strong remarks. Among the rest he says ' ' The nervous twitterings which