THE GERMAN FLEET.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 252, 26 October 1869, Page 2

THE GERMAN FLEET.

The following is the substance of an excellent article on the growing navy of Germany, which appeared in the Saturday Review, of July 3rd, 1869 :— Although modern experience proves that the fate of nations is decided rather on the land than on the sea, no great ■Power cau conveniently dispense with a respectable navy. North Germany has only three probable antagonists in war, and even Austria has been hitherto supe~ rior to Prussia in naval force. The Russian navy is far more powerful; and it would require vigorous and long-coutin-ued exertion to place the North German navy on an equality with the marine of France. The quality of the existing naval force of Germany is excellent ; and the officers are among the most accomplished in Europe. In Germany, as in England, popular opinion will favor the creation of a force which can seldom be used in civil conflicts, but the strongest arguments in favor of ships and docks is that they are required to maintain the national honor. Tt is, perhaps, natural to regret the time, never again to recur, when England was more than a mutch at sea for the collected forces of the world. Steam and ironplatiog have destroyed that which would in any case have been challenged as the States of Europe advanced in wealth and resources. It is for German purposes, and not either for the beuefits or injury of England, that dockyards and fortifications are being constructed in various parts of Germany. Though Germany is not essentially a maritime nation, yet it is easier to train stokers and gunners than the able seaman who once assured to England the command of the sea. The great and constant emigration from Germany to America has probably contributed to direct attention to the cultivation of maritime power. The transfer of a large and useful part of the population to an alien allegiance is, regarded with natural regret ; and vague wishes point to German colonies as the only alternative for the drain to the United " States. If any unoccupied country/ of suitable climate is still to be found in any part of the world, the experiment of a German colony would deserve all possible goodwill for its success. A new Germany beyond the ocean would advantageously vary the monotonous character "vvhich attends the boundless expanse of the£English race; '■ "■''*" '• ''''■;'■'''-'.■'■' .~'' i;>c