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=== VOL. 38. CLEVELAND, JULY 30, 1908. NEW YORK No. 5 ----= THE FRENCH NAVY. The naval expenditure of France for 1909 is estimated at 13,316,086). The heaviest expenditure made by the French Republic for naval purposes in any previous year was that of 1906-- viz., 13,003,278; and the outlay con- templated for 1909 will be seen to be 312,808] in excess of that great sum. Even now, however, the naval ex- penditure of France is much smaller than that of Great Britain. In 1901 France expended 12,271,949]. for naval purposes, while, as we have just stated, the outlay contemplated for 1909 will be 13.316,086/. Assuming that the esti- mate for 1909 is finally adopted, the naval expenditure of France will have increased in eight years to the extent of 1,044,137/. But, after all, the French figures are small when contrasted with the naval expenditures of Great Brit- ain, which increased as follows in the 10 years ended with 1907, inclusive: Year; Expenditure, £. L897-B 255 eh eee ai cases 20,850,000 1898-023 oo 336 Sy ieee 24,065,000 1899-8900 sooo es eG) scans 26,000,000 1900-1 <6 35 5s ahoaee cyees 29,920,000 DOO Tee a cc wy wits eon 4452876 137,030,000 1902-3. as, ew 31,170,000 1903-4230 ee vcs es ee, 2 095470;000 190425 2o 50g css Se ana 36,830,000 1905:6. 5-05.05. stewie: +262 138,000,000 PODG*7 5 Vik oe heeds Vee 31,434,000 It will be seen that the British totals throw the French altogether into the shade. It should also be observed in connection with the French estimates for 1909 that although they show a gradual increase in French naval ex- penditure, this advance is due, to some extent, to more liberality in the re- muneration accorded to French naval officers, engineers, etc. Still, allowing for this, there is no doubt that France is bent, upon the whole, upon main- taining her relative naval strength and even increasing it. The naval force of France proposed to be maintained next year in the Mediterranean will comprise a first squadron of six ironclads and three armour-plated cruisers, and a second squadron of equal strength. Both these squadrons are to be kept in a thoroughly effective condition and are to be ready for what the French navy authorities call an "immediate mobiliza- tion." There is also to be. a reserve Mediterranean squadron of three iron- clads, in which young French sailors and sailor lads are to go through a course of instruction. The force will be further completed by a division of six torpedo-boat destroyers, to be kept in a thoroughly effective state all through the year. The naval force intended to be maintained in the Atlan- tic will comprise a squadron of six armour-plated cruisers and two divi- sions of torpedo-boat destroyers, each division to include six vessels. All these vessels are to be kept in a thor- oughly effective condition all through the year. A reserve of nine coast- guard vessels is also to be kept up at Cherbourg. These vessels are to re- ceive their armament as soon.as their crews have been completed. The old Atlantic naval division is to be sup- pressed and the points where it was stationed are to be visited from time to time by vessels detached from the Northern squadron. The naval divi- sion of the Extreme East will continue to be composed of three cruisers and gunboats, while a cruiser and despatch boat are to be kept in the Pacific. It would appear to be the intention of the French Admiralty to continue a systematic development of flotillas of torpedo-boats and submarirfes, In January, this year, France had five flotillas in the Channel and Atlantic, and a similar number of flotillas in the Mediterranean. These flotillas com- prised 22 torpedo despatch-boat de- stroyers, and 238 torpedo-boats. Of these 238 torpedo-boats, 53 were armed for exercise purposes, 86 were ready for immediate mobilization, 75 were held in reserve, and 24 were used as school ships.. France had also, at the same date, colonjal flotillas compris- ing four torpedo-boat destroyers and 31 torpedo-boats. At the commence- ment of 1909, France expects to have 28 armed torpedo-boat destroyers, 52 torpedo boats armed for exercise pur- poses, 93 torpedo-boats held in readi- ness for immediate mobilization, 66 held in reserve, and 24 devoted to school purposes. In the colonies no change is proposed to be made in the course of this year. By 1909 old tor- pedo-boats will accordingly be _ re- placed by modern torpedo-boat de- stroyers; and, at the same time, the number of torpedo-boats available for various purposes will be _ increased. Torpedo-boat destroyers of a 300-ton displacement type will also have be- come sufficiently numerous to allow ten or twelve to be kept in reserve, so as to be ready to form divisions in case of mobilization or to replace others which, although armed, have become temporarily unavailable. As regards submarines, France claims to be making sensible progress. Irrespective of four submarines which. are now at Saigon, France had, at the commencement of this year, 30 sub- marines or submersibles fully armed, and seven engaged in experiments. At the commencement of 1909, according to present anticipations, the Republic will have forty-four armed submersibles and six other submersibles making ex- periments; and it should be added that the augmentation is represented by -vessels of a relatively important ton- nage, and more adapted for "habita- bility' and endurance. The construc- tion of torpedo boats by the French Admiralty has been suspended since 1905. France now possesses 240 of this class of vessel, and the total is in excess of what is deemed necessary by the superior naval council. It is con-