Lord Charles Beresford on Thursday raised a serious debate upon
the condition of the Navy, arguing that we had scarcely sufficient battle-ships to fight France, and no reserve whatever of such vessels. He made a good point by showing that while every other Estimate had increased heavily within the past thirty years, the Estimate for the Navy had been decreased by £900,000. The First Lord replied by disputing his critic's figures as to the battle-ships, and enlarged on the expenditure upon new ships, but admitted that he thought more strength in ships ought to be obtained, a point which the Government was endeavouring to secure. These discussions seem to us almost useless, the voters being utterly unable to form an opinion whether Lord Charles or Lord George is the better naval statistician. What is really wanted is a Report by a competent Committee on the existing force, the work required of that force, and the amount by which it is impera- tive, or needful, or expedient to increase it. The House could then compel attention to that Report. At present it is, on naval affairs, like a public meeting of blind men assembled to discuss the quantity of electric light necessary for a room the dimensions of which the speakers do not know. Such discussion must be futile.
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