Victor Hugo
An item dated Paris, France 24th reported that in a meeting of the French naval commissioned the minister of navy Pellestan (1) supplied extensively and satisfying details about the French naval strength. Although he saw none conflict in advance needed France to prepared for any event. The fleet was in excellent condition and now strengthened with armoured cruisers of which performances the navy had huge expectations.(2) Just like the British Royal Navy possessed France 5 armoured cruisers of a modern type and within short time were another 5 of the same type to be armed. Considered the Far East (3) was it impossible that the French maintained there a squadron equal to the Americans, British and Japanese. However four French destroyers would depart to strengthen the French naval force in the Far East.
Notes
1. Charles Camille Pellet an (28 June 1846 Paris, France-4 June 1915), minister of navy 7 June 1902-24 January 1905, (radical) Republican politician and journalist.
2. The Léon Gambetta-class consisting of the Léon Gambetta, Jules Ferry and Victor Hugo. Further more the Jules Michelet, Ernst Renan and the Edgar Quintet-class consisting of the Edgar Quintet and Waldeck-Rousseau.
3. The Russo-Japanese war between 8 February 1904-5 September 1905.
