The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1889-02-16
HOW OUR NAVY STANDS.


of interest especially rumors of war are in the
air, to every true American
"War with Francel Hostilities declared ON
account of the Panama canal and Monroe doc
trine! 7" This startling announcement was made by
newspaper men one night last week, but not in any
newspaper. The newspaper men were conspirators.
There were two of them, and they had become
involved in discussion. One admired and had
confidence in the American navy of the present
day. The other sneered at the American navy,
and said it could not protect ITSELF let alone the
ports and coast Finally they agreed upon a
hypothetical case and an srbiter. They agreed to
assume that France had declared war upon the
United States, and to submit this to the best
naval authority to be found in Washington. So
they went to the rooms of Congressman John Il.
Thomas, of Illinois, q member OF the naval COM
mittee, man who has made the navies of the
world q study for ten years and whose friends are
pushing him for the secretaryship of the navy
under Gen. Harrison. Mr.. Thomas was found sur
rounded by huge drawings and plans of ships and
guns. He lent willing ear to the fictitious tale
of war told by his visitors, and smile came upon
his face as he replied
$50 YOU want to know what would be our
chance in case of war with France or some other
first class power? We have reason to be afraid
of France or any other country. | want to tell
you that there mas never been day in which the
United States much respected by the
fighting men of the nations as now. They are not
looking over in this direction and laughing as
much they were They have ceased to sneer at
Uncle Sans wooden hulks and smooth bore guns.
The greatest sensation of modern times in naval
circles is this Nesuvius which has just made such
satisfactory trial trips, and which is now ready for
work" 1t is little bit of boat, but TO the naval
experts of Europe it looks as big as mountain
They marvel at it, dread it, trying to initiate
it. The dynamite gun, which is about all there
is of the 'Vesuvus,' has sent shudder round the
world"
ain case of war with France over Panama. with
England about the fisheries, with Germany on
account of Samoa, or Canada, what would be likely
to happen?"
"With the vessels already built and authorized
we shall be able to defend our ports and sea coast
against any navy in the world. But for the next
two years our only hope is in the dynamite gun
Without this gun first class naval power like
England or France-France now has the best navy
in the world-could destroy or levy tribute on our
seaboard cities. Our navy, which is building, not
built, will ultimately enable to protect ourselves
against all corners, and to attack any body who
steps on our toes. For the present, while our
great ships on the Stocks the dynamite gun is
our safeguard. The 'Vesuvius,' with that gun
aboard alone and unaided, can protect any of our
ports. 1t destroy fleet in half an hour.
There is no commander of an ironclad who would
for moment think of keeping his vessel in prox-
unity to the 'Vesuvius 1.-The had reason to believe
this little terror was within 200 miles of him he
would get away fast as steam could carry him.
1t would be suicide to remain. That gun throws
explosives equal to thousand pounds OF dy mantle
and at miles distance can destroy or utterly dis
able the best ship that floats. There is no man of
war, no fleet of fighting vessels, that would dare
menace or approach port protected by the little
sVesuvius.'"
"Rut we have only one 'Vesuvius?'"
"That is very true. But if war should suddenly
come on US, there would shortly appear q dozen
'Vesuviuses.' These dynamite guns can be turned
out in two months time. They can be mounted
on anything. Ideally, of course, they should be
carried by small, fleet cruising boats, like the
Vesuvius.' The Vesuvius is simply rapidly NOV
ing gun carriage. But if we were pushed to it by
the cry of war we would press into service tugs
small steamers anything that best suited the pur-
pose, just did In the war Of the rebellion. In