Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1884-11-08

states LnaI the ndlans appropriation Is too
small, and urges the necessity Of passing,
an appropriation. bill early in the session.
congress is urged to pass a stringent law
prohibiting the sale Of arms and ammuni-
prohibiting. the sale. of liquor to them.
Touching the removal Of the Crow Indians,
In Montana, it Is stated that it has thus
been made possible to add to the public do
main at least 5000, 900 acres Of the reserva.
ton. leaving still all the land necessary for
these 5000, 600 acres are so disposed of as ito
give the Crows some benefit from. the pro
ceeds thereof, they will no longer require
any AID from the government, and thus one
fraction OF the Indian problem will have
been solved, 4 an example and incentive
Great good has resulted from the establish
ment of courts for the trial Of Indian Of
FENCES and an appropriation of $4,000 is
asked to pay the salaries of the judges.
Inc commissioner calls attention to then ne
court in the Indian Territory. and recon-
mends that the bill pending before congress
to prevent timber ~depredations in that ter
ritOry be made to include coal and other
minerals. A more liberal compensation is
cheney is warmly commended. School work
monstrated, and the necessity shown Of the
expenditure OF q much greater amount of
money in this direction. Attention is called
to the fact that congress granted the right
Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe and the Kan
sas Southern railways, and the statement Is
made that the Indians consider this a viola
ton Of treaty obligations. The commission.
er refers to the invasion of the Indian Ter
ritory by Payne and others, and says there
il M nOGSih1Q QYnnQQ for fhoso ranaofod
lawless invasions. The lands are not public
lands in any sense rs yet, whatever DISPOSE
ton may be made of them hereafter. It is
manifest that without the passage of some
stringent law, intruders, can only be kept
time be temporarily withdrawn for any pur-
pose, the territory would be rapidly over
run. The commissioner indorses the report
OF the commission to review the award Of
damages Of $36, 900 to the Indians on &C.
the headwaters of the Mississippi, and says
no one can compute what evil Consequences
may arise should congress ignore its duty
to these Indians by a failure to make an ap-
preparation to carry out the terms Of the
award.
THE ORDNANCE REPORT.
Brigadier General Benet, chief of ord
nual report. The expenditures of the de-
partment during the year, including those
attending sales. Of condemned stores,
amounted to s 2,015, 255. A report of opera
tons at Rock Island arsenal is submitted.
The erection of shops and storehouses has
oughly, and estimates for the prosecution
and completion of the same should receive
favorable consideration. The last appr0-
priation of $4,000 for general care, etc, IS
not deemed adequate to the necessities of
the arsenal. During the year IS, 1873 rifles,
| o0riNinoc and chof.p1ync hovo hoor roor,,
featured at the national army. Much has
also been done In manufacturing a maya
zine gun. Gen. Benet says the condition
OF our coast defense is q matter Of grave
concern and calls for immediate action ;
and, he hopes before the end of the ensuing
session congress will show to the country
Its appreciation of these national wants by
9 liberal and permanent annual appropria-
ton. The department was greatly embar-
raised in its work of constructing several
experimental guns for armament fOrtifica-
lions by the backwardness of foreign manu-
furnishing steel forgings, and by the infer
Tor quality Of some material received and
After describing these matters in detail,
"'Ihe difficulties recOunted in procuring
steel from abroad: even for experimental
ment the necessity for home production. It
Is hoped the very pressing needs of the de-
partment and the difficulties under which
It now labors In attempting to secure suita-
Die materials for gun construction may he
relieved through prompt and energetic &C
ton by congress at it's next session. Steel
makers In this country will not undertake
the production of steel on a scale adequate
to our wants without the inducement Of be-
ing fairly remunerated for their outlay, and
the Importance for immediate action on the
j part Of congress for holding out such in
CEN nv liberal annrOnriatiOns can
not be overestimated. Tie truth Of this
statement is apparent when it is consider
60 that, even after ample encouragement
has been afforded, considerable time must
requisite plant can be designed, construct
ed, and set up, and the production of steel
In masses of sufficient size and suitable
quality for gun construction can become q
practical success. Then the manufacture
and test of experimental or typical guns
for moderate sized calibers, before the
manufacture of guns in quantity can be
proceeded with. 1t was under a clear ap-
prehension of these facts, and a deep con-
ylctlon OF the importance of saving time,
that the department. determined to procure,
hoops for the first experimental guns from
abroad, hoping in that way to establish a
starting-polnt In the manufacture of steel
guns, n thus avoid as far Us possible the
ucAdy I.lht. lluSL hereafter mcVlCaDlY arse
when steel shall be procurable in this coun-
try, for want Of some well-tested and def
nitely established types of gun construc-
ton as standards. Thus far its efforts in
this direction have been attended with little
success; nevertheless it will continue to
persist In its purpose believing that the
importance of the object Sought fully justi-
fes such policy. Types Of guns Of at least
= II 10 inches caliber should be fully es-
tablished by the time our steelmakers are
in condition to furnish the steel required
for such constructions, in order that there
may be an immediate demand for their pro-
ducts. The steel forgings for guns now un-
der construction which the department has
been able 10 procure from American manu-
facturers such as hoops, breech-blocks, etc,
and whose production came within tie ca.
pacity of the existing plant, are of the very
highest quality, and are an earnest of what
excellence it may be expected will be at
tanned here under larger facilities for man.
ufacture."
4 FOREIGN.
A violent storm swept ov,r Northern
England and Scotland Monday night.
T,-1 ~ynh1o%, have Loar -l..J 1900