For Bigger French Fleet.

New York Times 100 years ago today, May 18, 1913:
Ex-Minister Says an Increase Is Imperatively Needed.
By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to The New York Times.
    PARIS, May 17.— Following the increase in the German Navy, as provided by the naval programme of 1913, a movement is afoot here for a similar reinforcement of the French fleet.
    Emile Chautemps, ex-Minister for the Colonies, reported the naval budget to the Senate this week, and under the heading. "The Naval Duty of France," he asserted that this increase was imperatively needed.
    Passing under review the present groupings of the great powers, he insisted on the mastery of the Mediterranean, as a vital point, and added that "whatever sacrifices it involves on us, this must be realized" at the earliest possible moment.
    He continued by saying that a supplementary programme must be laid before the Chambers, providing for eight more ironclads of the greatest possible power before the end of 1920. These vessels, he thought, should have great speed in order to play the part given in other navies to armored cruisers.
    In this way, he asserted it would be possible to maintain a strong force in the Mediterranean, while keeping in the north a sufficiently large squadron to make an effectual bar to the channel against any enemy, attempting to force the Pas de Calais.
    M. Chautemps's proposals are meeting with general support. It is freely said that a time when Italy and Austria have each laid down three new keels is not one for France to relax her energies in that direction.