The Navy League have issued a circular calling attention to
their previous declaration, made on October 20th, 1900, that Britain had lost the command of the sea. When, however, Lord Selborne and the new Board of Admiralty came into office, they suspended criticism, on the ground that they should not be hampered with criticism till they had had time to master the situation. They think, however, that time has now come for public opinion to support" My Lords" in holding their own. They therefore call attention to the condition of the Mediterranean Fleet and its wants. There is no break- water at Malta, Egypt is undefended; there is a deficiency in battleships and destroyers; there are no fleet auxiliaries (i.e., hospital and repairing ships, frozen-meat store, mother- ships for destroyers, efficient colliers, telegraph ships), and black-powder, blunt-nosed shells (which will not pierce modern armour), and muzzle-loading field-guns are supplied to several of the ships. Finally, the Navy League draw attention to the absence of any Department capable of thinking out problems of war and strategy corresponding to the German General Staff. In our belief, it is in this defect that all the other defects are comprehended. The Board of Admiralty is too much drowned in details to think. The excuse of want of money is always given to hide deficiencies, but the real want is not money, but care, forethought, and organisation.
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