The statement of the First Lord of the Admiralty ex-
planatory of the Navy Estimates was issued on Tuesday. The Estimates for 1903-4 amount to 234,457,000, as opposed to £31,255,000 for the current year. The increase is duo to the development in almost all branches. For example, the number of men and officers voted last year was 122,500, and for next year it will be 127,100. The amount proposed to be spent on new construction next year is £10,137,000, against £9,058,000 last year. It is proposed to begin building this year three battleships, four first-class armoured cruisers, three third- class cruisers, four scouts, fifteen destroyers, and ten submarines. It will also be necessary to build a new Admiralty yacht, another shallow-draught river steamer for the China Station, and two vessels for Naval Reserve work. Among the items of interest contained in the statement we may mention the estab- lishment of a Naval Reserve in Newfoundland, the experiments with oil fuel, the decision as to water-tube boilers—which is favourable as to the water-tube in the abstract, but unfavour- able to the Belleville type—and the disposition of the Fleet. It is announced that in future a Home Squadron will be formed quite independent of the Channel Squadron. On the whole, the statement is a satisfactory one, and will help to maintain the very favourable impression that Lord Selborne has already made on the public mind.
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