The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-16
THE MATTER OF ARMS.

THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT NOT LIKELY
TO FIND MARKET AMONG THE EUROPEAN
Observation-Disclosures SUPPLY OF TOR
KEY AND RUssIA-coNDrTIoN OF OUR OWN
ARMAMENT
WASHINGTON. April Is, 1877.
Al tho beginning OF the present difficulties between
Russia and Turkey there was general opinion among
many OF our army officers that the troubles would
create market for ordnance supplies. and other
implements OF warfare. and that tho United States
would be enabled 10 dispose OF the OF un.
servicenble goods OF that character stored
arsenals and Notifications; but careful examination
Of the subject by prominent officers OF the Ordnance
Department leads to tho belief that there will
be demand upon our country for these
goods. for the tina. England, Germany
and France have vast quantities OF condemned
arms for sale, and therefore neither oil the
contending parties would lind It necessary to make
purchases this side OF the Atlantic when they can
obtain similar goods much nearer home, unless the
present complications should such shape that
the Powers mentioned would decline dispose Of their
condemned arms and supplies to either party and then
there might be q demand for ours.
Since tho Franco Prussian both France aud Ger.
many have been rcarm!ng and replacing the used
by them In that war with those OF more improved
patterns and consequently have many old arms for
sale.
TURKEYS PRESENT SUPPLIES
II has also been ascertained that Turkey is much
better supplied with arms than at first supposed,
she having received over three hundred thousand
stand OF from tho Providence Tool Company, OF
Providence, X. l., within the past two years. under
contract mado with that company 10 furnish half
million Peabody guns. breech-oadng rifle similar to
tho Martini Henry rine used In England These rifles
still being manufactured Tor and delivered to tho
Turkish government, several officers Of which have
been in this country for some months past inspecting
the and experimenting their manufacture. Tho
Turks also have contracts with various firms in
this country for 2Oo,oOOo0O rounds OF metallic
cartridges and for a large number OF cartridge
cases, which are now being made at Bridgeport and
New Haven, Conn, and other places That govern.
ment Is also well supplied with breech-loading steel
guns for field service, and Is not probable that there
will be any great demand Tor OF obsolete patterns
upon this or any other country
RUssIA's ARMAMENT.
Russia has also received good supply Of arms from
this country IN pursuance of contracts with Smith
wesson, Colt aod other manufacturers These con-
have been delivered.
ARxs or THE UNITED STATES
We have Tor sale about four hundred
thousand Of the Springfield muzzle-
loading rifles, and . large number OF repaired
breecn-loaders besides ordnance ana ordnance sup
plies OF every description left from the late civil war
The rifles could be converted into breech leaders, but
Il has been found cheaper to mako new outright
than to undertake TO change the old oneR Tho Ord
nance Department has from year TO year urged upon
Congress the necessity OF making sufficient appropria
lions for the manufacture OF improved arms as
permit the gradual accumulation OF them store for
use In case Of an emergency. During tho ten
years preceding the late war an average OF
1881, 900 per annum appropriated Tor the
anufacture of such arms, but Tor several
years past the appropriation for that purpose has been
100000 $l500OO. II Is estimated that there will
be than eight thousand arms OF approved pat.
terms on hand at the end OF tho present fiscal year. and
should the States draw upon the national govern
for the full quotas 10 which they entitled the ltad
stock OF improved arms held In would DO cx-
hausted The act Of April 49, 1908, makes permanent
annual appropriation Of $500. 900 for arming and
equipping the militia OF the United states and IL is
argued that II that necessary al
coed eight millions, at least sl,00O,0O0 should DO
nearly hve fold Under the act named the state Of
$500 00o but the appropriation should be
$S3 1852, ana with the other Statos according 70
their population. Tho style OF gun now being manu-.
featured Is the Springfield breechoadng rifle, It
argued that these guns should DO manufactured In
quantities sufficient TO render gradual accumulation
Of them In store a certainty.
THE ARM THE YUrUgE.
That better arm than the Springfield may some dsy
be invented Is not at all improbable, and experienced
ordnance officers contend that magazine gun will
doubt DO the arm OF the future; but until such n
suitable for the military service has been perfected and
approved reserve stock ofSpringhSids Is necessity.