Lord Selborne's statement in explanation of the Estimates is, however,
more interesting, because fresher, than the figures of the Estimates themselves. The Admiralty Board haa decided that "masts and sails" are not essential to the proper training of an officer or a seaman : a decision which may be regretted by naval men of an old school, but which will meet generally with more approval than disapproval. Nothing; too, could be more straightforward or sensible than the First Lord's observations on the value of good gunnery. Our seamen must not be allowed to select their conditions for target practice ; "above all, they must never become fair- weather gunners." But perhaps the most important part of the First Lord's statement is that in which he deals with the distribution of the Fleet. It may be that the increase made by France in her Mediterranean Fleet by with- drawing her Northern Ports Fleet has necessitated alterations in our own system of distribution; at all events, the addi- tional ships sent in 1900 to the China Squadron.have been withdrawn, while the Mediterranean Squadron has been greatly strengthened, ships being passed into that Squadron instead of into the Channel Reserve. In this connection it will be noted with interest that the Naval Manceuvres are this year to take place not in home waters, but will be carried out by a com- bination between the Mediterranean Fleet with the Channel and Cruiser Squadrons.
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