COMIC OPERA NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 2 November 1907, Page 3

COMIC OPERA NAVY.

Constantinople, August 29. For some time past negotiations have been proceeding between the Turkish Government and the Italian firm of shipbuilders, Messrs Ansa'ldo Brothers, with a view to the construction on account «f the Turjdsh Navy of a cruiser of large dimensions, and it is now announced that an Irade has been issued authorising the signing of the contract. The action of the Italians, supported by their Embassy, in pressinapTe Forte to indulge in this expendituaris severely criticised.

The Government has no use for firstclass cruisers built abroad, and the t ivo fine vessels suplied by Armstrong and Cramp are being allowed virtually to rot at their anchors in the Golden Hon, which they have not quitted since their arrival. Consequently further additiors to the Xavy would, in any case, be superfluous.

If previous experience is to be relied on, it is feared ii»t the cruiser will bo an interminable time in building. For instance, four small vessels—crosses between gunboats and coast-defcnce vessels—which at preent disfigure the naval harbor at the Golden Horn, are tli" monuments of three years' labor. They are supposed to be able to travel at the rate of fourteen knots per hour, but naval experts say it would probably take them three hours to perform that distance, and then only with assistance. As, however, they hivj never left their moorings, and are >iot likely to do so, nobody will be the wher in regard to their qualities.