But little argument is needed to prove that one of the chief grounds why a certain number of Englishmen desire to return the hate which a considerable portion of our German relatives have lavished upon us of jaie is that these same cousins are believed to be preparing for the translation of words into deeds. That such a feeling is dangerous and tends to the prevension-is-better-than-cure kind of argument likewise needs no demonstration Germany, as all the world knows, is rapidly building up a big navy, a navy which already would be formidable to Russia, to the United States, or Italy, might give even to France some uneasy qualms, and is harmless as yet only to England. Twenty-two years ago there was not a_ single first-cines battleship in the German navy. The total annual expense upon its warships was less than the cost of a couple of British ironclads. But that is all changed now-a-days. Like those of other first-class Powers, the German naval estimates run well up into the millions sterling. For the present year they are some 7} millions, and the result is that the fleet is growing by leaps and bounds, It is reckoned that at the rate now ruling there would be by the year 1915 some 88 first-class battleships, and nearly double that number of cruisers. Three thirty-eights are aimed at, thirty-eight battleships, thirty-eight high-class cruisers, and thirty-eight smaller ones. 'The pro-fir as this, and the increase' may ramline of 1898 did not go so
be one more' proof that epperte sometimes grows by what it feeds on. It is needless to say that everything in connection with this new departure has been carefully thought out and provided for. Not only are the ships to be the best of their kind, well-armed and found, well-manned and managed, but there is to be provided a trained, efficient, and sufficient reserve. By 1920 the personnel will have reached the respectable total of 65,000 men, with a trained reserve of at least 100,000. It gues without slying that the training is s cond to none—second to none so far as conscripts are conesrned. The role for the retirement' of ffi comes into force at an earlier age—from five to ten years in different ranks—than it does in the British navy.
The Kaiser therefore is on the high road to the goal he seecks—a navy which shall carry the German flag with honour the whole world over. He has aot yet solved all the difficulties of the position, however. There is yeh to be learnt the experience of the man who bought a grand piano, which necessitated new furniture, a new house, and endless other expenditure, When the Kaiser has his fleet there will be the expense of up-keep to come from the pockets of a people already eaten into by socialism. It was a hard matter get the original programme through the Reichstag, and but for the boom in commerce and manufactures and certain South African war incidents it would probably have still been in the air. Now that, for a time, the commercial inflation has been pricked new difficulties may arise. But even if they do not, there-are other things wanting, which cannot be bought with money, sines others—perhaps rivals—may havea voice in the matter. We refer especially to coaling stations. At lerist six out of ten of the main strategic posts of what we may call the outer world are under the flag of Great Britain. These in the hand of a friend might be of the highest value toa sti ing naval power. In the poss "ssiv: t of a fox their very existence is a menace.
The question of the moment in the minds of those who distrust Germany is, for whom is the German navy intended? A certain number of Englishmen believe that its main object is to overawe or intimidate Grext Britain, and perhaps go further. Another section, relying on present disparity, ridicule this suggestion and point to South America as the objective and the United States navy as the obstacle to be overcome. The events of Manila Bay are too recent for anyone to have forgotten, and little has happened since to bring the Yankee closer in love to the Teuton. Rather is it otherwise, A sub-acid tone at best is all that is given to Germany by the American' Press, nnd no opportunity is let slip to re-assert the vitality of the Monroe Doctrine!
connection with the squabble lately going, on between two of the rotten republics in the great continent there have been various incidents all tending to serve the purpose of straws.
It may be, of course, that these guesses are all far from the truth, that in place of quarrelling with his kith and kin the Kaiser is preparing his blows for other enemies. He mean to tackle Rus-la, or France, or Tipan, or the King of the Cannibal Talands for all we kno Buns. this is certain, Germ any has jus:
igi strong navy a other Pow commerce is growing with her gener: expansion. It is not our business to enquire too closely into her aims and objects, but it would be the height of unwisdom to ignore them. If a man mutters curses one day, breaks out into abuse the next, and on the third utters threats and proceeds to look for his " scatter-gun," those who have roused his ire would be ill-advised to goon quietly with their business as though there were no no clouds in the sky. The least they can do is to keep their weather-eye open. This, it- would seem, recent writers have been urging our Government todo. It is, however, a lon: cry between this and an alliance with Russia. For ourselves, we disbelieve in the possibility of a quarrel between Germany and Great Britain. Recriminations in the Press may occur and recur, but they do not affect the designs of statesmen and Sovereigns.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.