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Saturday 22 October 2016

England increasing navy in response of Russian naval shipbuilding program according to the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Handelsblad dated 23 July 1898

An item dated London, England 22nd reported that the First Lord of the Admiralty Goshen (1) presented his supplementary naval program in the House of Commons. Wit sadness he was forced to do so he said, caused by the Russian naval program (2) and England supported the parity principle between two major naval powers. He stated that the Russian decision was not seen as a threat for the United Kingdom. Russia had every right to have such a navy as she desired. Despite this he asked permission to built 4 battleships, 4 cruisers and 12 destroyers for which he needed a budget of 8 million pound sterling. The battleships were such to be designed that the Suez Canal could be passed.

Notes
1. George Goschen 1st Viscount Goshen (10 August 1981 London, England-7 February 1907), Liberal later Liberal Unionist politician. First Lord of the Admiralty 1871-1874 and 1895-1900.
2. Building in Russia 6 battleships, 1 cruiser and another battleship in the USA and 15-20 destroyers in the USA or the United Kingdom.