44 



predominant. At the end of 1912 the possible results of the unfinished Balkan War, 

 and the problem of British military weakness for offensive purposes, constituted the 

 most important uncertain factors in the equilibrum of international power and there- 

 fore of international peace. (E. JOHN SOLANO.) 



THE WORLD'S NAVIES 1 



Since igio progress in the navies of the world has taken two directions: (i) the num- 

 ber of countries claiming a measure of sea-power has been enlarged; (2) the power of 

 existing navies has shown a progressive increase, less in numbers than in size, power, 

 vision, hearing and reach of warships. 



Spain, Holland, Argentina, Chile and Australia have joined the number of those 

 States which aspire to own " Dreadnought " ships. Brazil was already included in the 

 list, and, despite recent events, it may be necessary to include Turkey also. Negotia- 

 tions were proceeding at the end of 1912 for the construction of two " Dreadnoughts " 

 to the order of Portugal. With the opening of the Panama Canal, sea-power will be 

 found to be established in all the oceans of the world. 



In regard to the second point, we may deal first with size and power. Table I com- 

 pares the latest ships building in 1912 for the naval Powers with the original Dread- 

 nought. The increase in the displacement of battleships is from about 18,000 tons to 

 over 30,000. 



Table I. Battleships. 



GREAT BRITAIN. 



JAPAN 



1 See E. B. xix, 308 et seq. 



