FROM THE ARCHIVES

25 YEARS AGO Unemployment has topped the 2.3 million mark, reaching its highest level for more than three years, according to the latest figures. The total jumped by 59,700 in June to stand at 2,301,000. The seasonally adjusted figure – recognised as the more accurate guide – shows that 8.1% of the UK workforce is presently unemployed. 50 YEARS AGO Newsweek magazine yesterday described Britain as “Europe’s new sick man,” and prescribed entry into the Common Market as the surest cure. In an article entitled “Britain on the Brink” the magazine traced many of the country’s political and economic troubles to confusion and contradictions in her foreign policy. “How Britain rides out the present political and economic storm will depend ultimately on the role she chooses in world affairs,” it stated. 100 YEARS AGO A note has been forwarded by Sir Edward Grey refusing the request of the American Red Cross to send medical supplies to Germany and Austria-Hungary.

He states that there is no reason to believe that there is an absolute lack of Red Cross materials in these countries, but that there is every reason to suppose the reverse. 150 YEARS AGO The Times urges another complete reconstruction of the navy. Our great iron-clads, down to the fleet of screw steam gun-boats, have suffered a certain depreciation by the fact of the Miantonomoh and the forthcoming fleet of monitors, of which she is the precursor.

The ships which twenty years ago were said to make England impregnable, and to console us for the want of unlimited armies, are now found to be useless against a ship that hardly shows itself above water, and that can discharge, with perfect steadiness and accuracy, a projectile which our best armour-plating is not quite proof against.