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The British Trade in the North Atlantic to the continent of North America amounts to upwards of 200,000,000l. per annum, of which about five-sixths is with the United States.

The trade of Canada in 1900 amounted to 76,582,0001., of which about 31,341,0001, was with the United Kingdom, 1,8-2,0007. with other British Dominions, and the remainder with Foreign countries, including the United States. The attack on this trade which would offer the best prospect of success would be by ships operating from ports in France. Canada” would therefore be interested in the success of the British squadrons employed on the coast of France as well as in that of the North American squadron.

About one-third of the Navy of the United States are usually on the Pacific Coast or in the Eastern Seas, and the remainder in the Atlantic.

Should Great Britain be unfortunately involved in a war with that country, the asssistance which could be given to Canada would depend on her com- munications being kept open with Great Britain. Ability to do this would depend upon the strength of the British fleets on the coast of America, which in case of simultaneous complications with another Power would be determined by the force which could be spared from European waters. ('anada is therefore interested in the strength of the British fleet as a whole.

The force which Great Britain maintains at present in commission on the North American and West Indian, the South-East Coast of America, and Cape of Good Hope stations consists of 1 battleship and 13 cruisers, besides smaller vessels.

For details of the forces maintained in the Atlantic Ocean see Appendix B.

The cost of maintaining the British squadrons on these stations, exclusive of

any interest or sinking fund on the first cost of building is $02,000l. per annum (for details, see Appendix A. 1). This is inclurled in the General Naval Vote, which is borne by the United Kingdom aided by annual payments, spontaneously offered, by the Cape of Good Hope of 30,000l. and by Natal of 12,000l. in lieu of 12,000 tons of coal.

The foreiga Powers which have Possessions and maintain naval forces in the Eastern seas, by which is meant the waters of Australasia, the Chinn Seas, and the Indian Ocean, are→→

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The President of the French Republic has recently issued a decree, which, if carried out, will increase the French naval forces in the China Seas, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Australasian waters to-

2 armoured cruisers,

3 very fast corsair cruisers,

7 2nd or 3rd class protected cruisers,

and place them under one command with bases at Saigon, Diego Suarez, and Noumea, the whole force being divided into two squadrons free to cruise in Eastern seas.

The Japanese Navy consists of—

7 battleships,

24 cruisers (principal),

besides a large number of smaller vessels; the strength of the Japanese personnel for 1901 was fixed at 27,961.

Each of the other foreign squadrons is weaker than either the Russian squadron or the Japanese Navy.

(For details of these forces, side App. B.)

The British force which is now being maintained on the China, Australia, East Indies, and Pacific Stations comprises--

4 battleships, 28 cruisers,

besides a number of smaller vessels, the whole manned by upwards of 17,500 officers and men.

the

The ultimate aim of the British squadrons is by the destruction of the ships of war of the enemy to protect British dominions and British trade. The importance of the former is too obvious to be dwelt

upon, magnitude of the latter in Eastern waters is shown in the following table, which gives the total value of the exports and imports in 1900 in the States mentioned :-

With United Kingdom.

Inter Colonial with Commonwealth.

With other British Domitions,

With Foreign Countries.

Total.

Russia,

France,

Japan,

United States, Holland,

་

Germany.

The strength of the forces are constantly changing.

The present Russian naval force in the China seas consists of-

1 battleships,

5 cruisers,

which may sbortly be augmented by-

2 battleships, 4 cruisers.

With the smaller vessels the strength of the crews will be, roughly, 13,000. The present French naval force in the Eastern seas and Pacific Ocean

consists of-

1 battleship, 8 cruisers,

besides a number of smaller vessels; the strength of the crews being about 5,000.

Cominonwealth

Australia.

New Zealand]

India

£

£

of

30,582,000 27,264,000

16,764,000

66,124,000

£

£ 11,675,000 25,058,000 114,574,000

4,502,000 2,627,000 23,893,000

26,214,000 49,874,000 142,212,000

+

Thus, less than half the trade is with the United Kingdom, and yet the cost of maintaining the British squadrons in the Eastern Seas and Pacific, which are ultimately charged with the protection of the whole, is thus apportioned:-

Great Britain Commonwealth of Australia -

New Zealand India

£1,994,400

£75,500

£15,500

£161,600

The total charge, exclusive of any interest or sinking fund on the first cost of building, amounts to 2,247,000l. per annum (for Details, see Appendix A. 1).

Admiralty,

June, 1902.

G g 2

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TLC.O. 885

8

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

Year.

218

APPENDIX “A.”

BRITISH EMPIRE.

NAVAL EXPENDITURE,

ť

d.

1POR-3

- United Kinglom -

41,454,621

31.253,500

1901.

1900.

New South Wales -

1,352.509

47,831

S

Victoria.

1,129,068

59,401

nearly.

Queensland -

496,596

34.796

South Australia

362,604

17.394

11

Western Australia -

189,553

4,732

Tasmania

172,475

4,070

7 nearly.

Total-Australia

3.765,805

169,324

102

New Zealand

-

772.719

20,9%

19

30.6.99

Canada

Newfoundland

210,000 5,912,500

און

Cape of Good Hope

528.000

30,000

I

(White).

1898-

Natal

$1.3.99

- India

53,698

168.000 Europeans 216,710,483

419,747 12,000

4 33

(for your 1900)

-

for manning and maintaining H.M. ships for Naval defence of India.

* Includes £100,000 contribution towards H.M. Ships on East Indies Station, and £61,000 subsidy to Admiralty

APPENDIX “A. 1.”

Seas and Pacific Ocean :- TABLE showing the Annual Cost of Maintenance, exclusive of first cost of building, of the British Squadrons in I.-Atlantic Ocean; II.-Eastern

I. ATLANTIC OCEAN.

North America and West Indian

Cape of Good Hope

守

330,000

76,000 396,000

Total

South-East Coast of America

802,000

II. EASTERN SEAS AND PACIFIC.

China

Australia East. Indies

-

1,430,000

312,000 303.000 £

Pacific Total Eastern Seas

2,045,000 202,000

Total

2.247,000