THE WORLD'S NAVIES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9531, 1 July 1909, Page 4

THE WORLD'S NAVIES.

The annual return of the strength of the world's navies was issued last month. It deals with the ships, built and.building, of Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany, Italy, the United States.and Japan, and. covers all vessels not more than 20 years old from the date of launching. The return is prepared for March 31, 1909. In battleships built England nas 53, against the 32 of Germany, the 26 of the United States, and the 18 of Prance. Japan has 14. In ships building England has six, Germany 10, Prance six, Japan four, and the United States six. England has removed from her list the armoured

coast defence ships, of which Germany has 11 and France nine, the whole of the German vessels being over 28 years old. In armoured cruisers built Great Britain has 38, Ger-

many eight, France 20, and the United States 15. Great Britain is building one, against the four of Germany, and the two of France and Japan. Great Britain has 18 pro- , tected cruisers of the first-class built, and Germany none. France has five, Russia seven, and the United States three. None of the Powers are building any of this type. In the secondclass the figures are:—Great Britain, 38; Germany, 21; France, 12; United States, 16; with five building or Great Britain and seven for Germany. England has a preponderance in third-class of this type, but has no unprotected cruisers, a type which is still retained by the United States, Germany and Japan. Great Britain is building two Jcruisers of this pattern, and has eight "scouts" ~a type that is unrepresented in any other navy except that of the United States.