CHAPTER II
STRENGTH AND DISPOSITION IN EUROPEAN WATERS OF THE ENGLISH AND GERMAN FLEETS
"The recent activity of the invasion-monger, in spite of the fact that, relatively and absolutely, the Royal Navy is now stronger than at any period of its wonderful history, is an unhealthy symptom."—Sir George Sydenham Clarke, G.C.M.G., Governor of Bombay, late Secretary of the Defence Committee.
"As to the present position of the British Fleet, there is no possibility of cavil. It is extremely easy to produce sophisticated statistics to prove almost anything, but it will be impossible for any alarmist to paint a picture of naval peril at present from the materials at command."—Archibald Hurd.
"As about 42,000 men are required to man the active fle<it, and about 7,000 of the nominal personnel are not available for purposes of war, it follows that Germany, having to exchange 15,000 men under training for trained men, could not mobilise her fleet without calling out the reserve—an important point when we are asked to believe in the possibility of a surprise attack."—Gerard Fiennes.
"For this, at least, I thank Heaven devoutly; the hegemony of the wider seas is vested, as always, in ships-of-the-Line, and when I note our position to-day (a greater ratio of superiority as against other nations than ever known before!), and review our position in the future—why, I sleep right soundly in my bed."—Alan H, Burgoyne, M.P., Editor of the "Navy League Annual."
I Shall now lay before my readers a number
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