Britain’s Unprecedented Naval Estimates
The British navy estimates for the next year provide for an expenditure of $179,184,205. The Admiralty proposes to complete this year six new battle-ships, eleven armored cruisers, and eighteen other vessels from cruisers of the second class down to submarine torpedo-boats. The Admiralty will this year begin the construction of three battle-ships of a very formidable type, four first-class and three third-class cruisers, and twenty-nine smaller craft including torpedo and submarine boats. In making his report to the House of Commons, the secretary of the Admiralty remarked that the estimates were unparalleled in peace or war, and while as a private citizen he regretted the great competition and rivalry in naval armament, yet he considered the great expenditure necessary. England does not expect peace. Germany’s program also is an elaborate one, but the Reichstag is pruning it considerably.