In a news item dated Paris 7 March was reported that the parliament her discussions about the navy budget continued. Thomson (1) confirmed that the composition of the several squadrons needed to be improved but the armament was stronger as those of the Germans. The program of 1900 was to be executed in 1909. The Admiralty offered a new program but since then decided England to built several battleships, destroyers and submarines and decided Germany to built heavy battleships. The admiralty proposed to built heavy battleships and protected cruisers. The minister explained the advantages of protected cruisers. France possessed enough of this kind of ships as so an advantage compared to other countries. The next step was to built battleships. The armament was equal to the British.
Note
1. Gaston Thomson (29 January 1848 Oran-14 May 1832 Bône), French minister of navy 24 January 1905-22 October 1908, responsible for an increasing strength of the French navy.
