The Paris correspondent of the Times in the issue of
Wednesday summarises the conclusions of M. Charles Chaumet, the Reporter of the Naval Estimates for 1908. The Report is indeed gloomy reading. The French Navy, which formerly held the second place, has fallen to the third, and will soon have fallen to the fourth. " Our sacrifices," says M. Chaumet, " seem to be predestined to sterility. In vain do we multiply expenses. The military force, which is the only thing that counts, does not increase in proportion, if it be not even relatively decreasing. Parasite organs are developing to the detriment of the central body. The administration is absorbing the substance of the fighting fleet. On all sides are instability and anarchy. In presence of this progressive decomposition every one is casting on his neighbour the responsibility for a situation for which no one personally is responsible, and from which all, on the contrary, have to suffer. Sailors, engineers, gunners, administrators, instead of being fraternally united in loyal and indis- pensable co-operation, are pitted against each other in the most regrettable hostility. There is no longer confidence .in the future." M. Chaumet urges the. appointment of an
extra-Parliamentary Commission to propose plans for re- organising the Navy. This despondent Report has the sanction of the Naval Estimates Committee of the Chamber.
