In the House of Commons on Thursday the Naval Estimates
were discussed. Mr. Arthur Lee defended the naval policy of the late Government, and Mr. Carlyon Bellaire strongly criticised what he called the " Jack-of-all-trades " scheme of trying to turn a Cadet into an engineer and an executive and navigating officer. The plan of having fighting engineers bad been tried in Japan and the United States, and had been found to fail. On the morning before the debate the usual Explanatory Memorandum was issued by the Admiralty. It is proposed during the coming financial year to begin the construction of four new battleships, five ocean-going destroyers, twelve coastal destroyers, twelve submarines, and a new Royal yacht. All the new vessels are to be fur- nished with turbine engines,—a change of vast importance, but one which we believe is generally accepted as sound. The Estimates show a decrease of £1,520,000 over those of last year. We should be the last to recommend any decrease of vigilance in regard to the securing of our naval supremacy ; but if this supremacy can be secured, and at the same time the expenditure be reduced, the result will be one for congratulation.
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