On Thursday Mr. Goschen introduced the Navy Estimates. He proposes
to ask for a total sum of £26,594,500, whereas last year only £23,778.400 were voted. This makes an increase of nearly £3,000,000, or, to be exact, £2,816,100. The main increase is in the shipbuilding vote, which shows an additional £2,000,000. We are to have two new battle- ships, two first-olass cruisers, three smaller cruisers, two sloops, and two first-class torpedo-boats. The proposed increase in the personnel of the Fleet—i.e., sailors and Marines —is 4,250. Mr. Goschen's remarks as to our position in regard to the Disarmament Conference were most impressive, and were extremely well received. After mentioning that we had only increased our armaments in order to keep pace with those of foreign Powers, and that there would have been war over Fashoda but for the strength of our Fleet, Mr. Goseben went on: "I have now to state on behalf of her Majesty's Government that similarly, if the other great naval Powers should be prepared to diminish their programmes of ship- building, we should be prepared on our side to meet such a procedure by modifying ours." But, he went on, if Europe comes to no agreement, "and if the hopes entertained by the Czar should not be realised, the programme which I have submitted to the House must stand." The country will be glad to find that our Government has taken up so wise and so straightforward an attitude on this momentous question.
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