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26 they must, in course of time, suffer capture; and as only the Mauretania, Lusitania, and a few other vessels of the Cunard Company attain this speed, only steamers of that line have been accepted as auxiliaries to the Navy. It is possible, however, that the Admiralty may reconsider this decision, for, as Sir William White has pointed out, very few of the great cruiser-battleships recently built can maintain a sea-speed approaching 25 knots, in moderate weather, for any length of time.

Germany has also subsidised some of her swiftest merchant vessels; and it has been reported, but not confirmed, that they habitually carry their armaments in their holds, ready, at any moment, to exchange a peaceful for a warlike status. If true, this report need cause British shipowners