The late Minister of Marine in France, M. Lockroy, con.
tinues his efforts to induce his countrymen to create a great fleet. He recently told an interviewer from the Figaro that the English were twice as strong as the French, and could "quite by themselves" face France and the Triple Alliance at sea. They have coaling stations all over the globe, while, as was seen when the Fashoda incident occurred, the French possess none, her ports in Tunis and Corsica and at Biserta being totally unprepared. Even Blest was unready, only fifty-two of the two hundred and fifty guns required for the defence of that great arsenal being ready for use. How much of this unreadiness is owing to corruption M. Loamy did not say, but we can remember that when some years ago an emergent order was sent to Toulon to despatch a squadron to the East it was found that the depots were without biscuits. It is the supply departments in France which want over- hauling, and that by men without either mercy or fear, French captains are scientific, and French ships splendidly built, but the nation cannot be induced, except at moments, to keep watchful eyes upon the Navy. It is the favourite service of well-born men who do not love the Republic, but the men are obtained by conscription, and if the Fleet were greatly increased they would not have the instinctive habitudes of seamen. Fishermen make good sailors, but the supply of fishermen has limits.
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