France Behind With Navy.

New York Times 100 years ago today, April 13, 1913:
New Marine Minister's Efforts to Get New Ships Applauded.
By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to The New York Times.
    PARIS, April 12.— There is great satisfaction among all sections of the public over the decision of the new Navy Minister, M. Baudin, to ask Parliament for $100,000,000 to bring the French Navy up to the modern standard. He has pointed out that the marine forces of this country are now not only far weaker than Germany's, but also in serious danger of being left behind by Italy and Austria-Hungary, France's rivals in the Mediterranean, in view of the ships of these countries now being laid down.
    In three or four years, it is realized, Italy will have a series of superdreadnoughts of 35,000 tons each, the largest in existence, each with an armament of ten guns of 38 centimeters.
    The most urgent need, it is thought in naval circles, is to construct a fourth vessel or the Bretagne type to complete the first division of armored vessels carrying 34-centimeter guns.
    Another crying necessity after this is a series of light scouting vessels to guide the squadrons and keep them posted as to the enemy's movements. At present the only ships available for this purpose are huge armored vessels of slow speed and quite unsuitable. The immediate construction of six of these vessels of about 5,000 tons each and a speed of 30 knots in all weathers is provided for by the new Naval bill.
    The general feeling is that the necessary credits should be voted immediately by Parliament without haggling, so that not a moment may be lost in the building.