1901-02-16 — Page 5

THE INTERESTS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE IN THE FAR EAST AND THE NEEDS OF THE NAVY,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Navy League, i have been requested to endeavour to lay before you this evening, a plain statement of the prepondera ting interests of the British Empire in the Far Esst, as compared with other Western nations. and also a few facts as to the Needs of the Navy as a whole.

Recent events have revealed the fact that a remarkable degree of ignorance of Eastern af fairs

in the old country, not only among prevails the rank and file of the people, but also amongst our leading men, who seem to have been for a time completely fogged, when the outbreak in the Far North took the country by surprise.

Perhaps this is not to be wondered at, con- sidering the pace which people have to live in modern times, and to the fact that the eyes of all Western nations were, for the time, hard set on South Africa,

The struggle there has been a hard one, but we have emerged from it stronger than ever we were, and, as a United Empire, our Colonies have declared with one voice, that they will stand by the old country, and have proved their words by sending their best and bravest to fight for the Home Land, and in future there will be no question that among people of British des- cent" blood is thicker than waler."

We have made great sacrifices, we have gained something and we have learned much as a nation as well as individually, that we did know before; and among other things, we have learned, that our race has not degenerated, and that the British bayonet in the hands of our young soldiers, Brkish born, or Colonial, is still as potent a weapon as it was in the days of Brown Buss, and that their behaviour in victory or defeat has been all that could be desired. We have also learned that our gallant blue jackets, officers and men, are even better than they were in old days, and we desire to see the improvement kept up and an adequate Navy maintained, ever ready and efficient, as the surest guarantee of peace.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1901.

There were agi Foreign Ocean Ships with 1,867 Officers, of whom, 353 were British. Ia Japanese. Ships......159 British

Chinese

20

French »Belgian

ท

-་

United States,, German

73

Total...253

Officers.

The proportion of British Officers in Foreign dver six nationalities, an increase of 4'3 per cent Ships was therefore 156 per cent. distributed on 1898.

Of the Crews of British Vessels,

per cent. were British. ;

other Europeans. Asiatics. Of the Crews of Foreign Vessels. 2'2 per cent. were British. 24'0 73.8 "

17.6

07

BIZ

ki

*

D

+

21

other Europeans, Asiatics.

showing a tendency towards greater employ- Thest of Asiatic labour in both British and foreign vessels, with a reduction in the propor received, of these 33. were sent to the United tion of Europeans, 212 distressed seamen were Kingdom, i to Singapore, a to Sydney, to gaol, 4 at Government Civil Hospital, 155 Calcutta, I was drowned, 3 died, 2 remained in obtained employment.

55.141.45 were expended on behalfof the Board of Trade, and $704 by the Colony on behalf of these men. There were, however, a good many produce papers, having doubtless rug from other hard cases, who probably were unable to their ships, and were more or less a nuisance. to the community, which it is hoped the con- tinuous discharge system will lessen.

CONTINUOUS DISCHARGE SYSTEM. For the benefit of those who are not ac- quainted with shipping matters, I had perhaps detter explain what the continuous discharge system is

Fat Newchwang, and holds the way to Port Arthur overland from her own frontier via the Regents Sword, and means to have Manchuria sooner or later, no matter what people say at present. Her total trade with Chins for 1899. was £3.330 000, sterling. I think I have now given figures enough to show the magnitude of British Imperial interest in the Far East; our communities are scattered along a coast line of some 3,000 miles in length from Pakhai to Newchwang and surely our statesmen will consider them worthy of some attention and Empire. protection, seeing what they are doing for the

There can be no doubt that Russia will ab- sorb such parts of Asia as she may find unable to resist her over encroaching sweep, and the only thing that will stop her advance is the frontier. of a Power as strong as herself, who will make its strength so apparent that Russia will think twice before she encroaches further. Until the growing incubus of Russia on the Empire of China. Ressia will continue her old methods China is arrested, there can be no hope for and will continue to encroach until stopped by her own cure, brute force. To appeal to justice compacts, or so called promises will have any or reason will not serve to divert her, no treaties, effect in holding her back, she has Pekin and Britain, the United States, and Japan being the Manchuria in her grasp, the concord of Great only restraining factor at present. There is no possibility of shunting the trouble, it has got to come, and the sooner it is over, the better for all concerned. Thehopeless divergence of the views of the Allies at Pekin is notorious, Diplomacy may succeed in adverting the threatening crisis for a time, but only for a time, and if our ship is property steered the result will bo a vast gain

to our interests. ...

THE NEEDS OF THE NAVY.

We now come to consider the seeds of the Navy as a whole,

As a phase of Home polities, promises of Army reform were scattered broadcast by can didates for seats in Parliament during the election campaign just over, and without doubt Army reform has been conclusively proved to be urgently required; but we have not heard a single word about the Navy Can it be that the glamour of Ladysmith and South Africa to the needs of the Navy, which after all, is the first and most important thing to be sure about; for if the Navy is kept up to the mark, none of our possessions can be Ladysmithed,

Armies are defeated, and reassemble to fight again another day, but for a beaten Fleet, there tonditions. is no such a thing possible under modem

It is satisfactory to read from Mr. Goschen's own pen, in, his farewell address" to his con- stituents, of his extremo desire, "to keep the administration of the Navy entirely apart from party politics; this is another neert of the Navy, and should be insisted upon if we desire efficiency, and so far as I know, is the first public intimation of such an intention that has reached us from a responsible Minister, and is an indication that this constantly preached text of the Navy League has had some effect amongst politicians. We are a world power solely because of our command of the sea, and can only be sure of our existence as such, so long as we retain it, therefore the care of our Navy should be made an Imperial matter and kept outside the bounds of party strife, so far an is possible under nur present system of government.

people to maintain their defences in such perfect sudden interruption of the peace upon which our condition" that we shall not be exposed to any prosperity depends." The supreme condition he said, is that no reform, no improvement, is of the slightest importance, unless security stalust external interference is obtained by putting our- happen beyond our borders, that shall make defences in such a state that no accident may our security doubtful."

weighed before being uttared, and it is hardly These words we may be sure were well possible to conceive anything of greater weight or more solenin warning than this, coming a time like the present, with the atmospheres from suchi, a source before such an audience of Europe and the East charged with electri city, only requiring a spark to set it off. No man in the Empire knows better than our venerable Premier of the complications of Con tnental policy which have to be taken into invart. account, so his words must be taken as of grave

Were our Fleet defeated and disabled, no in- vasion of the United Kingdom would be neces ary, for all the victorious Powers would have which are incessantly pouring into our Ports to do, would be to cut off the food supplies

perhaps days! according to our supplies in authority that we are about too short, should a the end would then be a matter of weeks! nr

We now come to consider the matter of cruisers, of which we are told on very high hand at the time, for though we say have iron European war break out. The Navy League to make pots, and coal to boil them, the boiling has time and agaih fired broadsides of double of pots without food in them would not avail shutted guns at authority, on this extremely why every City and Town in the United King-effect, for we hear of more cruisers being laid much. This has been advanced as a mason urgent need of the Navy, happily with some dom should have a concentrated non perishable forms of food doubtless get ready to use the ram if the war store of the most down with, despatch, and the League will laid up against a rainy day, with a special accessity arises. It must be kept in mind fund and committee of public men to manage on one plan for the whole country, sel by the trade and extent of trade routes which that our count of cruisers required is settled ling off and renewing us might be deemed necessary. Whether this is practicable on such time, besides leaving a sutuicient number for our cruisers will bave to protect in war a vast scale experiment alone can determine, our Admirals in command, as the eyes some say it is not, and give good reasons, bui of their fleets. Nelson's pathetic cry for more we have an adage that says where there is a frigates," should be engraved on the wal's of such a store was there would inspire great is will there is a way." and the knowledge that the Admiralty and never lost sight of. There confidence.

tendency to think that our supply of possessed by ather Powers; this, though true as cruisers should be governed by the number regards battle-ships, is not so with regard to

cruisers,

politicians to think that all auxiliary vessels re

There is also a tendency on the part of our quired for a modern Fleet can be improvised well in transporting our 20,000 fighting men to from our Mercantile Marine, seeing we did so

the loss of a few horses which was due to the Admiralty thinking they knew better than peo ple who had made the traffic a business for years with great success. That is a particularly can get over, and occurs with variations in every British mistake which apparently no experience war we engage in..

J

WAR PLEETS ON A WAR FOOTING. To the Editor of the Times,

festo on the needs of the Navy have dealt Bir,-Criticisms of the Navy League mani. mainly with questions of taste, of style, or of detail. The executive committee of the Navy League on the appointment of a new First Lord of the Admiralty, desire to concentrate public opinion on two points of principle-namely,

dard (which is not now attained) of simple (1) The necessity of reconsidering the stan- equality with the navies of any two foreign Powers and,

ing our two main fighting fleets on a war (2) The necessity for placing and maintain-

footing.

Patriotic considerations prevent the Navy League from publishing evidence in its posses sion which shows how sadly we want strong men in the Goverment who appreciate the fact that efficiency and empire are indissoluble,

policy of Morris tubes placed in the hands of and that if the Empire is upheld it will be by the historic policy of efficient fleets; not by a myopic townsmen dependent for food and work

on sea-borne trade.

The present condition of the sea power which Britain theoretically possesses is akin to that of her presumed military pre- dominance in the Cape Colony before the Boer war broke out, The Government wore told the truth bath by the responsible general on the spot and the responsible general at home. The truth was unpalatable. Never- mobilization of the Empire soon after these theless the despotism of facts required the warnings had been neglected A daval Colenso, Magersfontein, or Stormberg would be irretrievable, No mobilization of the Em- pire, no maritime Roberts, no drafts of material, purchases of ships, or frantic outlay could re- trieve a disaster to our fleet of battleships. Time

ride, more mules and rifles, more traction en- would not permit, Means do not exist. In South Africa more men who could shoot and gines, more guns and stores were available. We cannot improvise one destroyer nor buy the missing cruisers and battleships when they are wanted. The lesson to be drawn from the parallel, therefore, is that naval war differs from war on lant by its quality of suddenness, quality of suddenness makes all the dif And the permanent results of victory. The ference. Landsmen accustomed to view our preliminary failure and privileged muddle are naval unreadiness with a quiet mind, because! chamcteristic of our race and have generally

war on land to dispense with essentials of been overcome in our land wars, unwarTADE- ably presume on the conditions prevailing in

Each seaman will be provided with a little book, easily carried in the pocket, wherein is entered his personal description and the date of every shipping and discharge during his To take our own Colony of Hongkong first career as a seafarer. His record of conduct as an instance of the magnitude of Imperial and ability is also entered and has to be visted British interests' in the Far East. 1 must crave bya Shipping Officeror Consul, and without this generally, have blinded the eyes of our people make them speak out to their own kith and kin South Africa without a serious hitch, more than the irreparable character of fleet disaster, forgiveness if I quote a few dry statistical book be will be unable to obtain employment. figures in support of the general statement It contains his full record of service at sea and "that this Colony of supreme importance to

in future no one need accept the marvellous the Empire, as its fortherest outpost, coating tales told by the Beachcomber. station, and naval base," with a trade capable of infinite expansion Wei-hai-wei does not count yet for, though it is a better place for our purposes than Port Arthur, there is hot a big gun in position, or any attempt being made beyond dredging, to convert it into a secondary naval base, as was promised; and for some reason or other, probably the want of defences, large quantities of supplies have been returned to Shanghai from there.

Now, if there is one thing more than another wanted in the far North at the present time, with a large number of our war ships and transports between 'Shantung promontory and the Liautung gulf, it is a base port, which Wei- hai-wei should have been by this time. We do not know what the winter bas in store for. us. ur ships cannot stop at Taku bar through the winter on account of the ice. Shan-hai- kwan is nearly as bad, and there is nothing nearer than Hope Sound or Chefon, neither of them desirable places, after December, and I have had many years', experience of the Gulfs of Pechili and Liau-tang summer and winter, and have often taken advantage of the welcome shelter of Wel-hai-wei,

Possibly South Africa overshadowed Wei- hai-wei, any ow it has been unaccountably. neglecte, nay more, Lord Salisbury went out of his way to prevent any railway enterprise being allowed at the place and thus destroyed the chances of the port as a place of shipment, which he need not have done, had he been kept better informed. The piace itself is no more than walled fishing village, but there is a good country behind, now booked for Ger- many

The Harbour Master's report of this Colony for 1899 shows the total tonnage entered and cleared during the year, to be in round figures 18 million tons, being an increase of 35,000 tons on the previous year. Of this total tonnage, 48 per cent, was under the British flag, 264 per cent. under foreign flags, and ag6 per cent, of junk trade. Taking steamers alone, 68 17 per cent. was British. The British river tonnage amounted to 3,550,169 tons entered and cleared, which shows the importance of the British trade with Canton, Macao, and the West River poris; arid when matters are settled new basis, as they must eventually be, this trade is capable of infinite expansion, though it is temporarily under a cloud, owing to Chinese official obstruction, Sir Robert Hart's famous river trade regulations, together with disturbances and unrest in the Southern provinces.

on

We now come to the trade of Hongkong, a very important British interest, roughly esti- mated to be words £50,000,000 per annum.

The tatal impert trade for 1899 was carried in 28,010 vessels which brought 5,707,898 tons of cargo, of which 3.750,195 tons were dis- charged in Honglum, exclusive of the Local Junk trade. The total Export trade for 1899 was carried by 27,691 vessels of 8563.127 tons which took 2,914,797 tons of Cargo, and shipped 493,871 tons of bunker coal.

Thus we have:-

British ships.... Foreign

British ships

. Foreign,,

Britishi ships Foreign

British ships Foreign

11

Imports

Exports.

(1,718,003 tons 1,463,602 »

1,144 090 tons

859,806 » Transit

1,191,828 tons **** 765,875 Bunker Coal

280,747 tons .............. 213.124

Grand total...77,637,075 Exclusive of the local Junk trade. OPIUM.

1198

40,504 16

Imported (39.393chaut 45,69 chests 8,497% chesta

Increase Exparted. 37,82936 Through corge

0.003% 11 not landed (13,0025 17.345 1,863 " The import of opium is of interest, inasmuch as the balancing of the Indian budget depends on it; without the revenue derived from opium there would be a defecit. The opium Commis by the Anti Opium League," and Indian opium sion effectually laid all the bogies conjured up is now as free from suspicion as is the most ordinary article of commerce, though in time it

enemy's fleets to contend with, for our bull dog's tainly a splendid performance, but there were no The feat of our Mercantile Marine was cer

her that we are to-day without an organized were ready and our backs were up, but it is a

with our feets of battle-ships and fitted for fleet of swift colliers able to keep their place

day of oil fuel, which would simplify matters, expeditious coaling at sea, for apparently the is not yet. The question of coaling at sea bas not been thought out yet. We have no repair ing ships of any account to accompany a fleet, all the modern appliances required; we have and these cannot be improvised offhand with

ships fitted with cold storage for the supply of no properly fitted ammunition ships, or store our officers and men with frest: provisions; for in a naval war, our ships would have to keep the sea at all hazards, perhaps for months, and to keep men in fighting trim they must be fed on the best, and our men are far too precious to risk any outbreak of scurvy taking place among men, the prevention of scurvy can be managed them. In a small Arctic expedition with few with a modern outfit, but it is not so easy a matter with say 790 men under war condi. from the Russian officers in Saghalien which tions. I leamed of a certain cure for scurvy

which grows wild-on sonie of the islands, es- may be worth mentioning; it is a small bulb pecially on an island called Shantar and is Okhotsk Sea consider it a certain cure and known as "Shirum Sha." The whalers in the always use it, as do the natives all over the Amoor districts.

success for war at sea.

war footing. The Navy League reveal no official It is this element of suddenness that necensi- as our two great fleets being maintained on a

in essentials-namely, in cruisers, destroyers, secrets when they state that our Mediterranean and Channel fleets are dangerously deficient and auxiliaries. The vessels laid up at Porta mouth, Devonport, and Chatham will be hastily Commissioned when war breaks out, but these vessels when mobilized are not efficient. What

the moment when his time and his energy and a burden to throw on an admiral, suddenly to pitchfork on him a nass of crude material at required not for arill, but for war, not for together, but for striking the blow that shall educating captains and training fleets to act save or lose the Empire I

The two great reforms, accordingly, which for war, and that our strategy should be ad- the Navy League urges on the nation are that the two principal fleets should be made ready justed to our national policy. That is the pith of the whole matter. The style of the Navy League manifestoes may be detestable. The candid friend seldom charms by his style. Their facts are, unfortunately, indisputable. They decline to be drawn into discussing de tails or technicalities because their duty is to diterranean and Channel fleets should be kept press the undeniable requirement of the Em. pire at the present time, which is that the Ma

will be no time for mobilited ships and hired, fully not to do so. When war breaks out there ready for war in every detail. It is criminal.

will be supplanted by the Chinese grown drug, with guns and everything complète, dawn to they have always held that opinion with good, there are big improvements in the air in the auxiliaries to be brought into play. The vital

REVENUE.

Department during 1899 was $190,555 cents 50, The total revenue collected by the Harbour being on increase of $6.927 cents 49 on the previous year, made up as follows;-

Light dues. 52,406.99

2 Licences & Inter.

nal Revenue... 39,127.49 3 Fees of Court and

Office............. 99,011.07

With regard to our strength in battleships it must be impressed on the people that the standard laid down by the three Admirals known as the five to three,, and still considered necessary by our fighting Admirals, Aus not been maintained! The members of the Navy League nothing but a sense of grave responsibility could have no desire to cause unnecessary alarm, and

whose interests are their interests, as they do, at the risk of being branded as scaremongers, and say, the Governmeat have imperilled our com too late!" mand of the sea, let them act at once ere it be Hitherto it has been almost an article of faith that Great Britain was strong enough to bear the attack of two or more of the continental for him and retires from political life, having on ne better grounds, than that we all wish to Mr. Goschen has found the strain too much Powers at sea, and so far as can be ascertained, rendered splendid services to the country dur- ing his long career.

believe this idea to be a fact, but it is not, for He leaves the Navy the politicians have blinded the people and better than he received it, but as an ex- Chancellor of the Exchequer, his ideas appear at the present time we have little more than a have reduced the three $dmirals' standard, till to be 1k bit warped by financial consi-numerical equality. derations; and perhaps by the break In the Far East Germany hits four battle ships power of his colleagues, so that he was not to our three. France and Russia combined will quite the success as a Naval Administrator that shortly be in the same position of superiority, and people had hoped for. The Head of the Navy this though Great Britain and her colonies should be a man who when anything is required possess 70 per cent at the trade of China. for the Navy, should never be asked to count Now our naval fore cannot be considered the cost. Money can be replaced, our Navy sufficient when our strongest foreign squadron is beaten, can never be replaced, and here would left inferior in numbers to possible antagonists. end the History of the British, as a free race. Of course we all hope that it will never come to The Times in a recent issue remarked "that war between our good friends the Germans there is a feeling of uneasiness abroad, begot-and ourselves or with France, or Russia, but it ten partly of our bitter experiences in South is no good blinking the fact, that Empires are Africa, partly of facts relating to the adminstra-ruled by self interest, not by sentiment; for tion of the Navy, which are matters of common there is always a possibility of complications, knowledge, and it warns the Admiralty that the and it is our duty as Britons, who love our own situation may easily develop into a Naval scare. Country better than any other, to be always Now we do not want to see such a thing, which ready for any move on the continental chess is al expendy want to her. Buiteboard Doubtless our Admiralty are at present. the ais ready for a modern wat of opinion that in the event of war, conclusions on then, and to ensure this it is necessary to will be settled in European waters and view have the search light of public opinion always with suspicion any attempt to weaken our turned on to our Naval Administration: Mr. Home feets of battleships by red herring Goschen's public utterances are not reasuring, tactics, and perhaps they are tight, but if so, the and his explanations, though made "under zs heavy a responsibility as ever a public man bere," the better for us. The public have got it into sooner we have another Naval defence Act, cannot be accepted by the country as final, for their heads, that whatever failures the War wo know that private builders were ready to Office and General Staff have made in South undertake and did undertake, for foreign govern Africa, the Navy is ready "to go anywhere and ments, to build and equip battleships or craisers do anything that may be set before it and the smallest detail. These are facts which neither reason. Mr. Goschen nor anybody else has yet explained, orders been given for which the country was with all due respect for the Times, and had the ready to pay, the British Fleet in Chinese waters would not to-day be humerically the third on the list as to fighting strength! The delay with regard to H.M.S. Glory will pro- bably have to be explained in parliament; this will be done in the usual stereotyped fashion, but this particular piece of Admiralty mis management has possibly cost us more than we known of, and will have to be taken up 61,075 Emigrants left Hongkong for various later on. The intelligence department of the places during 1899, 44.358 were carried by Bri will in time get to the bottom of delays of this Navy League is gradually--being perfected and tish ships and :6, 719 by foreign ships, 110,448 kind, which hardly ever take place outside the Hongkong from places to which they had charmed red tape circle, and any shipbuilders were reported as having been brought to emigrated, and of these 86,235 were brought public Company in a similar fashion would who tried to fool the private shipowner or in British ships and 24,213 in foreign ships. found in the Government Gazette of the 2ndness, and as a matter of fact, it is never done, The full details of all these matters will be find the process very detrimental to his busi- and of these 7; are licensed for the conveyance bearing on the subject avaliable and from

because the ship-owner knows what he wants of passengers, 77 are owned by private in- dividuals or firms, 11 are the property of the given you are stamped with the seal of auth- which I have quoted, so that the figures I have

return for cheques; thus the most harmonicus Colonial Government,. and 5 belong to the ority.

relations prevall between ship-builder and ship. Military Authorities.

owner, and the former is always trying to meet ponderous system of the Admiralty does not or anilcipate the wante of the latter but the permit of such cooperation. Now, one of the It really is only a qucation of paying liberally derous system boiled down and simplified Witness the splendid battle-ships turned out great needs of the Navy is to have this pon- for what you want, and builders will get it done. by a system of direct responsibility starting by private firms for the Japanese Government, from the First Lord. Most of you are in but our system is such that our best men at the position to know what can be done by a Admiralty are prevented from knowing what in this Colony: by a verbal order they really do want, so that contractors are merchant The total value of the foreign trade of the eight utmost despach by simply going to the tele.

he can slip 1,000 tons of coal with the humbugged and money wasted over alterations principal Coast ports of Canton, Swatow, Amoy, phone, and the coal will be going into boats the progress of invention This is one of Foochow, Shanghai, Cheloo, Tientsin, and New. half an hour after he has spoken, at a rate the principal causes of delay in the completion to vessels building and the excuse given is chwang, is roughly about £44,000,000 sterling of 50 to roo tons per hour per boat according of our war-ships, and one of the reasons per annum, of which something like 70 per cent to the need for haste. He can have too chests why many of our great building yards fight shy British. For the year 1899, the total foreign of opium or too boxes of treasure shipped with of Government work. There is no question as trade of China has been estimated at 69 million the utmost despatch. B/L and Insurance poli- to the admirable work turned out in the past pounds sterling and the British share at 43 mil-cies are handed in with the precision of clock by the Royal dockyards, but the present system lion pounds sterling, a stake sufficiently large work, by simply giving the order. He has bis to make it worth our while to look after, and system and knows he can trust his one or two re- spurt recently tried as against private yards, has this is nothing to what we may have under a sponsible man who are not hampered by red

is not conducive to speedy building, and the process of prudent development, for we have as tape and invariably sad the work is done, and, yet only reached the outer circle of China's in this Colony matters are greatly facilitated by modem, method of management into Govern- not been kept up. Thus we see that a need of the Navy is to introduce a simpler and more millions of people. It may be of interest to the commercial integrity and business instinctament establishments. This will be like "the compare the foreign trade of China in 1898 of the Chinese Merchants. which was equal to about 2/10 d, per head of her population and the foreign trade of Japan

there are no lack of models: labours of Hercules, but it can be done, and In 1897, which was about 18/4 d. per head. Now

naval strength necessary, to insure victory as if this 18/4 d. rale is ever reached by China, the

against any of our possible antagonists, there In taking into consideration the proportion of foreign trade of that country would be some,

are many things to think of besides the actual thing like 345,000,000 stering and if we main tain our present proportion of Chipa's trade we

Admirals report," ay generally accepted as count of battle-ships on the scale of "the three stand to be great gainera,

first thing to insist upon is that in counting the standard at while we must aim, and the

all antiquated, inefficient or obsolete vessels having muzzle loading guns and low speed, and battle ships, the Admiralty strike off the list

ing Admirals, in the line of battle. include only such modern ships as are fit to take their place, to the satisfaction of our fight It is no use striking off the Warrior and two

again when it has blown over, thus deluding the little popular excitement and adding them on; or three similar old crocks under pressure of a

number of set-class battle-ships ready for ses people into the belief that there are a certain Lord Salisbury closed his great speech at the Das ▼ Lord Mayor's banquet.by a faarid appeal so thar

The figures have just quoted show that Hongkong is the most important of all the British foreign possessions in the matter of Shipping Besides, the tonnage already men tioned which is recorded in the books of the Harbour Department, there are no less than

}

Total...190,555,50 say £19,055 Stg.

EMIGRATION,

have struck it. It is no secret that French enemy had not struck the blow we ought to blow would already have been struck. If the

naval strategy to-day has broken with the de- fensive traditions of the past. Their fighting dicate and emphasize, this fact. These mea scheme is based on taking the offensive. Mea

chief naval authorities as their one chance of sures have already been adopted which in sures have been publicly proclaimed by their

unprepared.

construction of torpedo boat destroyers, because The policy of our Admiralty in stopping the

ing loyalty, perfect discipline, marvellous wanted clean water; he got it after a time, but universal admiration, because of his unswery. fish pond, because it was going to rain and he matter of turbine propellers, reminds one of the The handy man is deservedly the object of story of the man who drained the water off his mobility, readiness of resource and cheerfulness in the interval the poor fish all died. For them under discomfort, to say nothing of his ball dog any kind of water would have been better than qualities in action, that people are a little apt none, so with us and the t. b. destroyers. We to overlook the fact that most of these qualities know our men are ready to go to sea in washing are the result of constant and careful training tubs if need be, and they have proved their grit in and are not born with the men, but cost much West Africa, South Africa, and elsewhere quite kept before the public that to continue its surpassed. Are we then to refrain from provid-success against England—namely, to catch us money to impart, so that it must be ever recently, and as fighting men they cannot be efficiency the service must be kept supplieding them with the best procurable appliances, with all those things requisite to maintain an three Admirals. How many people are aware. adequate Navy fully up to the standard of the

over a question of petty economy or because that during the years 1897,98 and 99 the House practise? There can be no doubt as to the some one has invented something that may or of Commons voted for new construction the

play not in time cause a revolution in existing

419,113,232 sterling was spent, leaving a sum sum of £33.733,225 sterling, of which sum only for the people have the widows and the orphans answer the country will give to such a question,

not speat, the excuse being of mo less than 4,621,940 sterling which was

of those who have fallen among them, and the Reaper has not spared the household of our "that ship-builders were unable to build fast enough" Now this live in cottages and work for daily wage. In late Queen, her nobles, or her subjects who and every one who is acquainted with modern but existence with taxation is better than to ship-building developments in the United Kingdom, can testify, that foreign Governments it is satisfactory-to have declarations from our endure a ruinous defeat; and talking of taxation time, complete in every detail! were able to get their orders executed up to leading statesmen that the wealth of the Orange River Colony, and the Transvaal, is to be made to contribute to the coast of the war which they so wantonly provoked.

More important eyen than the building pro gramme, neglected for five years by refusal fleets we have on a war footing. Itis not right to face facts, is the necessity for placing the

ships as cruisers. This has been done in the ranean feet should be obliged to use battle that the admiral in command of the Mediter-

past month. To deprive the Mediterranean auxiliaries is a blow at the heart of the Empira Aleet of necessary cruisers, destroyers, and

165 Steam Launches employed in the Harbour, of June 1900, the latest official publication and his builder' takes care that he gets it, in has been categorically denied by ship-builders, creased taxation is a hard matter for the people struck by those responsible for its protection..

These Launches are all built in the Colony, and Hongkong has become celebrated for the excellence of its small Steam Craft, which are built and exported all over the Far East from Vladivostock to java and the Straits and to Europe.

The returns of British tonnage for 1899 are rather less than for the previous year, caused by a large influx of tramp colliers during 1898, which were afterwards employed in the inflated, rice trade with Japan. These have since all returned home, Another cause wase Northern Pacific Line of Steamers being arned over to the United States flag, but in spite of all this, the actual British tonnage has increased by 19,368 tons, due to the substitution of large for mali vessels, and there is evory, reason to believe it will continue in the future.

To turn to the matter of crews, we find 313 British Ocean Vessels entered for 1899, many of these making numerous trips during the year. They carried 2,286 British officers and 27 foreign officers, as follows

British..

Gannan

United States

Danish

Swedish

Austrian Portuguese.

2,256

10

Total.....3313 The proportion of foreign officers was there fore 1.18 per cent covering six nationalities, a decrease of 0.62 per cent with an increase of ships.

The question of Crews, is of interest from the Navy League point of view, whose object it is to have British ships manned by British sub Jects, in view of what will happen in a European wars and it would be of advantage the re ports distinguished between British, Indian, Lascars, Chinamen, and other Asiatica. **During 1899, 18,354 samen were shipped and al:94 discharged, at the Mercantile Marine KOLICE

necessary to give them, seeing the object we I must apologize for the infiction, but it was have in view is to convince the public mind, cal, party or selfish ends to serve, but in all in the interests of the public, having no politis things adopting the watch words of the Navy words "For our Country," League, which may be condensed into the

THE COAST PORTS TRADE.

it behovas, us to keep. It may be well to note We have a long lead over other nations which the fact that of all the Coast Ports, Newchwang is the most important for British trade, after Shanghai

good, warning and time for orders to filter The Admiralty can do good work if they get through the various departments and the fear some forms duly filled in, signed, counter-sign ed, checked and entered, but if you hurry them wrong, it may do all right in peace time, but the machine gets clogged. Now all this is

the money like water, and all hands combine when war is on, the only course is to pour out

open and is the fault of the system. Then the to cover up tracks. This is the superabundance of clerical work in the way of only cours

Alling in innumerable intricate forms thrown sury detail which might be simplified Intricate on to our naval Officers of all ranks is a Trea forms in commercial life are found to be a suisance, and are generally neglected, "but a a of the utmost value, in these days of rush simple form showing at a glauce what is wanted,

for 1899, was about seven million sterling and The total value of the trade of Newchwang Customs savenues about £1,350,000 of which 40 per cant was paid by British Merchants Japan 25 per cent, America and Germany 13 per Ruisia paid about 1 per cent, China 9 per cent,

will of couma try to divert this trade and, will services is not towards simplicity, but towards cent, Norway and Denmark 8 per cent Russia and hurry, but apparently the tendency in our place all possible fiscal dificulties in the way complexity, against which individuals sie pow. of other Powers if allowed. She is in full charge ), erlenda

The Navy League invites the Government to publish the opinion of any admiral now in com mand of a fleet in contradiction of the lawn thus put forth,

By order of Navy League,

H. SEYMOUR TROWER, Chairman, WM. CAIUS CRUTCHLEY, Secretary. November 21,

THE RUSSIAN FLEET IN THE FAR EAST. (From Our Own 'Correspondent.)

ST. PETERSBURG, November 4th. The following particulars are given of .Rus.

will have to be attended to if we are to hold There is another need of the Navy which our own in the race of the nations for sex power, that is that the machinery in our Royal sister ships, old and obsolete, and must be re-sia's present and prospective naval strength in Dockyards is like the Warrior and her

of Mr. Goschen's failure to get ships built Russian Pacific squadron now on the way to quickly enough, it certainly was not the fault newed Perhaps in this lie some of the causes the Pacific. The latest reinforcement of the of private ship-builders, who to live at all, mustPallava and Sevastopol and Sva torpedo-boats, keep their yards up to date, or see their busi ness go to others. The French Admiralty have

the Far East.consists of the new battleships

recently succeeded in getting large sums voted bres. Another addition shortly to be made to to replace the obsolete machinery in their Russia's naval display in rar Estern waters with together 73 officers 1,537 men, and 138, guns, mostly, quick-firing pieces of various calf."

Admiralty should strike while the fron is hot, first-class cruisers Grouteboy, Pallada, and Dockyards and we must follow suit The will comprise, the battleship Paresist, the

factory to themselves and the country, doling altogether 143 officers and 3,200 men, and a and while they are about it, they should put Valag, the torpedo transports Amur and the Engineers of the Navy on a footing satis. Venisset, and five more torpedo boats, with out concessions piecemeal under compulsion total of 262 guns of different calibres and is not dignised, and unredressed, grievances arrived in the Far East, Ruse Pad Bouve impair, efficiency all round." The are necessary and we cannot possibly do with dron will present the somewhat imposing total Russia's Pacific aqua,

ting the case, may not commend itself to "My boats, two torpedo cruisers, two torpedo trans- out them, so they must be considered and made force of six big Ironclada, nine first and two, contented. This mough and ready way of put second class cruisers, seven ocean-going gun Lords, but if they do not act, depend upon it ports, and ten torpedo boats-together 38versais, will take it out of the Government at the polls, Times. the powerful Engineer class in the country, with 952 guns, 550 officers, and 11,534 man.”

their patriotism, and therefore to their credit. the election just over, can only be set down to sooner or later. That they have not done it at

nearer when the Empire will he provided with It is to be hoped that the time is drawing machinery for the supreme administrative con.. trol, over all resources under its flag, and that We are ourselves rathastonished at what

in war is a matter that must soon engage the infinite, what we require is constitutional and supply of all things requited for its security The dormant resources of the Empire Are dependent on a single Island for the production in the way of embarkation and transport. a world state like ours, should be so wholly we have done in the South African business.

serious disadvantage to us as an Empire. And mobile force when required Think what attention of our statemen, for it is a most power and machinery to call them our as hore, wish to randik lastes written to the Times a force we possess for intelligence Apura SELONAYL

Passiva defence is no good for us, we must be prepared to strike like a thunder-bolt when- ever the necessity arises, for if one of her colonies were attacked, the mother country will now be under the absolute obligation to spend her last man and last penny in its defoncé,

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