BRASSEY'S "NAVAL ANNITAL."*
THIS is the twenty-second year of publication Of a valuable book of reference, which, in a series of volunies, contains an epitome of the modern history of the war-fleets of the world. Founded in 1886 by Lord Brassey, the publication has been continued for some years under the editorship of his son, but it has rarely appeared without one or more contributions from the founder. This year Lord Brassey writes a brief introduc- tion, chiefly consisting of his personal opinions on current naval policy. Those opinions are entitled to respectful con- , sideration coming from one who has long devoted himself to the study of naval questions, and has done so much to awaken and sustain public interest therein. It is very notable, however, that not -a few of the conclusions reached by Lord Brassey"are traversed by other contiibutors, who were probably unaware of their divergence of view. This Presenta- tion of different views on the same subject has been a standing practice in The Naval Annual, and has much "to commend it, although the -ordinary reader, seeking for authoritative • guidance, may be 'confused thereby. As a matter of fact, on many, if not most, departments of naval policy there is room for differences of opinion. What is essential is reasoned argu- -meat in support of the course recommended, and not mere ex Cathedra utterances on disputable points. - An excellent 'example of the" proper method of procedure is contained in 'Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge's paper mi.!' The Share of the Fleet in the- Defence of the Empire.".• Here -one finds the teaching of history applied to problems of, the present day, and the true doctrine of "the -.blue-water school" expounded in a clear and generally intelligible" manner. Another article well deserving careful study is that On the Arinoured • The Naval Annual : 1908. 'Edited by the Hon. T: A. Brassey. Portsmouth 'Griffin and Co. £128. 6d. net.] Qruises Question." .The-author prefers to remain anonymous;
bat.he is well versed in naval *tics and strategy. • His broad conclusion is that more . the armoured cruiser question is examined the more difficult it becomes to fix. the role which she • could best .play .in war." . His . review .a the
services on wliich it has been suggested that great armoured cruisers—like our ' Invincible ' class—might be
employed in war leaves the impression that the enormous expenditure incurred on each of these ships—approaching two millions sterling—cannot , be justified. Further, the writer shows how uncertain has been the recent policy of con- struction for British cruisers, and how vessels first described in Parliament as " improved Edgars ' "—that is, vessels of moderate size and eight thousand to ten thousand tons dis- placement—have grown during recent debates into a quite different class as large as the ` Invincible.' This is not pleasant reading, but it is well the facts should be known. A settled and thoroughly considered programme of cruiser con- struction is no less essential to the continued existence of the British Empire than the construction of battleships.
The principal portions of The Naval Annual this year, as in previous years, are devoted to summaries of information in regard to various departments of naval activity. Sir Frederick Pollock discusses the naval aspects of the second Hague Conference. Mr. John Leyland describes foreign naval manoeuvres, and deals at length with the present condition of the personnel of the French Navy. The latter question has been much discussed of late in French publications, and Mr. Leyland places before English readers an excellent resume of the situation, which is undoubtedly one that calla for serious consideration and prompt action on the part of the Ministry of Marine. Mr. Richardson describes in popular language recent advances in marine engineering, devoting most attention (as is natural) to the extraordinarily rapid development of the steam turbine during the last four or five years. His article will enable lay readers to follow the great lines of advance, and to realise the considerable" advantages
obtained by the adoption of turbines instead of reciprocating engines. He also deals with the possible use of internal com- bustion engines as substitutes for steam engines and boilers in ship propulsion. Commander Robinson undertakes the section of the book dealing with Armour and Ordnance. "This section was dropped last. year, and its importance justifies its restoration.. Much. information is given as to recent progress,.,
and the Ordnance Tables are valuable. On the other hand, the tendency seems to be towards giving undue prominence to details of the manufactures of particular firma, and in this respect a return to earlier practice is much to be desired. Another interesting article over the well-known signature " Jack la Boling" gives an excellent account 'of the " Naval and Maritime Industries of Italy." It is shown therein that within the last twenty years, thanks in great measure to Government encouragement and support, Italy has been made not merely self-supporting in the production of naval war-material, but capable of providing ships and naval arma- ments for other maritime countries, and competing with Great Britain, France, and Germany.
The work of the editor has been left to be mentioned last, but it is by no means the least important. As usual, he deals with recent progress in British and foreign fleets, giving (in tabular forth) his estimates of the comparative strengths of the various navies. His work is supplemented and made more intelligible by the valuable statistical tables and plans of war- ships which form a notable feature of the volume; and, as usual, there are given summarised statements of Naval Estimates for all the principal Powers and reprints of important official Papers. ..The opening words of the editor's preface indicate one of the great difficulties under which students of naval affairs now labour. Mr. Brassey says
"One of the chief features in the present number is the un- certainty of the particulars• given regarding many ships under construction. The recently introduced British practice of with- holding the details of dimensiOns, engine-power, speed and arma- ment which were formerly published in the Navy. Estimates has been imitated in Germany and elsewhere The particulars given with regard to new ships must in many cases be accepted
with reierie.' •
Past experience in this country during the last twenty years
confirms the opinion expressed by Mr. Brassey that our former procedure was the wiser ,One. It was simple folly
for British naval aiithOritielta-ohallen'ge foreign competitors to' the game of secrecy: If -that game could be played success- fully, Great Britain would obviously have less to gain thereby than other countries, because we can build and equip ships more rapidly, and therefore need not fear publicity. In all proba- bility Germany can play this game better than ourselves, and apparently is doing so, because uncertainty still seems to prevail in all accounts of the armaments and armour of ships of the latest Programme, even though they have been launched. France shows a good example, maintaining the old practice of publishing authoritative particulars of ships to be built. Public discussion of the new designs goes on in the French Press and in Parliament. The Minister of Marine explains and defends the official proposals ; those who differ therefrom state and defend their objections. No impartial onlooker can doubt where the balance of advantage lies. The sooner we return to the wholesome atmosphere of publicity and abandon professed (but ineffectual) secrecy, the better will it be for the Royal Navy. Mr. Brassey has added to many previous public services by boldly stating his objections to recent procedure in unmistakable language. This issue of The Naval Annual is, on the whole, well entitled to a place in the libraries of all interested in naval affairs.
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