The German Government has put out through many journals a
proposal, not yet absolutely official, but undoubtedly entertained in high quarters, to depart from the programme of naval construction which in 1898 was settled for six years. According to that programme, fourteen great warships were to be built by 1904, but it is now proposed to raise the number to twenty, and thus raise the German fleet which can be concentrated in European waters to first-class rank. The chief reason assigned is the appearance of the American Fleet as a possible factor in European quarrels. The new project will, it is believed, be accepted, though with some reluctance, by the Federal Council, but it may not pass the Reichstag, as it is considered that the Govern- ment, should it bring forward such a project, will have broken contract. It is impossible to vote military supplies for seven years and naval supplies for six years unless the Departments—reserving always the contingency of expected war—will adhere to the pledges which secured a majority. It must be added that whispers are circulated to the effect that the Centre or Catholic party has been squared, and that a defeat of the Imperial Government is now hopeless.
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