THE GERMAN NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1642, 8 January 1913, Page 3

THE GERMAN NAVY.

" RAPID INCREASES. It is now revealed beyond doubt, tho mval correspondent of tho' "Daily .Tele;raph" writos nniler date of November 21, 'bat next year Germany will begin the :onslniction of three large capital ships avo of tlicm battleships and one of tliem i battle cruiser—all carrying the heaviest >att(o guns, together with two small cruisirs and a group of twelve torpedo-boat destroyers, besides fix 'submarines, as.' already announced by tho llorino Minister. L'hcse• proposals.are in accord with .the onus of tho Navy Law, and will occasion 10 surprise. - , . The six years' programme, as appended o thb Act of this year, is in the following :erms. .. „ ~ Battle- Battle- Small »' 6hips. Cruisers. Cruisers. 1912 1 } I 1913 2 1 2 ' 1914 1 J -J. 1915 1 J . I • . 1916 . ............... 2 1 2 1917 1 j . ( 1 ' ' The year of construction of one battleship and two small cruisers is reserved. It is within the right of the German Mithorities to lay down this battleship and the two small cruisers at any time,, and, moreover, the Germany h&vy League QOntends that the words "small cruiser , may be taken, to cover ships o-f large displacement, with heavy guns, armoured -Mlts and high speed—in fact, battlo cruisers. The authorities have been urged j to give to tho term "small cruiser' a wide interpretation in order to provide an additional number of battlo cruisers., This'is at present the subject of an .active campaign in Germany, but there is no indication as to any, decision having been reached. No announcement has, at any rate, been made. ' ' PROGRESSIVE EXPENDITURE. , * All that, is known is that the new German Estimates show a further increase, as they have done for many years past. Tho movement of naval expenditure m the two countries, lias, so far, been markedy in favour of Germany, owing to tlie methodical character of .her naval arrangements and their finances. -Ihe. rise and fall-shown before by tho marks• (+J (-)— in the expenditure of, Great.Britain and Gcrinany from year to year, as giveiy in official papers, has been as follows iu millions sterling:— . <: ,\ - . Britain.. Germany. ' ,C ■£ inns - 4.18 ' + 1.20 1900 " ■ ■ i2.C4 . + 0-70. 1907 ■ . ... ... + 2-22 . iS '... + 0.74 .+ 2.27 • ' 1909 - + 2.54 r + jj.jjj .'. 1110 ............ +4.69 +0.i3 1 , mi.+ 3.97 . +1.19 : 1912 0.30 .+. O*J7 . f It will be seen that during the_ years when British expenditure was .falling or uractically stationary, German expenditure consistently rose, and now, our Navy. Estimates having 1 shown a .._decline last year, .Germany, on the. top of her,ineroa« for the present'financial year, proposes to go yet .'higher' again; v