CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 26 July 1898, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

London. In the House of Commons Mr Goschen (First Lord of the Ad. miralty) submitted a supplementary naval programme. He said that 41 first-olass battle*, ships had been built or were in course of construction which were unmatchable by the battleships of any other two Powers. The two mighty 23 knot; cruisers included in the programme submitted in March were designed to destroy the Corsair type of cruiser. The action of Russia in largely increasing her naval programme since his original programme was submitted, though probably not meant as a menace, rendered a parallel action necessary. Russia, in 1898, commenced to build six battleships and four cruisers, though only two of these battleship? bad been constructed when his March programme was prepared. Mr Goschen proposed the con struction of four additional battleships, superior to the Formidable

type, and able to pass through the • Suez Canal without lightering, four 1 cruisers of a type not yet disclosed, and 12 torpedo boat-destroyers, cost- ' ing £8,000,000, and making the I total naval vote £15,000,000. The i construction of the new vessels is to ] be spread over a period of four years. I The House of Commons and the 1 I press almost unanimously approve i the proposals. I Inasmuch as the Supplementary 1 Estimates will not be submitted to 1 the House of Commons till spring, it ' is surmised that Mr Gosohen's navy ] increase scheme is meant as a warn* < ing to Russia and France. The Admiralty authorities are j favourable to the establishment of a ' naval reserve in Newfoundland. i