Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/58

 50] ENGLISH HISTOEY. [march

(Clitheroe, Lancashire), who had occupied a subordinate place at the Admiralty in a previous Administration, opened the debate by a speech which added little or nothing to a knowledge of the subject, and the public were deprived of the aid of intelligent criticism because official etiquette designated the critic. Allud- ing to the colossal growth of naval expenditure, he asked whether means might not be found to check it, either by some change of policy and of administration, or by agreement with other Powers. [Referring to the Czar's proposal for a conference, he said that if the Government should fail to offer every assistance in promoting the objects of the Emperor, the country would be of opinion that a great opportunity had been lost. It was gratifying that in the autumn there was no need for a vote of credit or for any special efforts. It was right, however, to recognise that a great burden had been imposed upon the Admiralty; and, to guard against any possible breakdown of administrative machinery in that department, some attention should be paid to internal organ- isation. Examining the programme of new construction, and comparing it with that of France, he commented on the com- parative slowness of construction in that country, and pointed out that this gave us a great advantage. France was now building battleships with less vigour than formerly, having arrived at the conclusion that in the race of construction she could not profitably persevere. As far as battleships were con- cerned, he thought we had good reason to be satisfied with our strength, and he doubted whether there were adequate grounds to justify an increase in the number of these vessels. Sir J. Colomb (Yarmouth), as a sailor and a Navy reformer, as well as an alarmist, regretted the offer made by the Government with regard to the Peace Conference. He objected to allowing the naval policy of this country to be settled without any condition in a conference representing only certain of the maritime Powers. Mr. Labouchere endeavoured to bring matters to a practical issue by testing the strength of the opposition to the Government naval policy, but for his proposal to reduce the number of men and boys he found only nineteen supporters. Mr. Allan (Gateshead) took up his annual parable against Belle- ville boilers (March 16) prophesying some frightful calamity as the result of the Admiralty obstinacy. Mr. E. Kobertson (Dundee), a former Lord of the Admiralty, whilst inquiring as as to the naval progress of Eussia, managed to introduce the subject of Fashoda — apparently a naval topic because the place had been approached by a gunboat. He demurred for his own part to the statement that the country had been unanimous in its readiness to take up arms on account of the incident, and he spoke strongly on the part played by the Government in their dealings with contractors during the recent strike in the engineering trade. By relaxing the terms of their contracts the Government had taken sides with the employers against the workmen. The Secretary to the Admiralty, Mr. Macartney