The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-21
OUR LAKE DEFEyCES.
Tho Advantages aud Drawbacks OF Asro-
eating the Treaty OF 1917.

Tho Advantages aud Drawbacks OF Asro-
eating the Treaty OF 1917.
WASHINGTON Sept 20.-The award OF the
contract for building torpedo boat NO. Ito
Dubuque firm Is u significant event In the his-
tory Of orr new navy. Tho applications for
copies of the plans and specifications for this
craft had also been suggestive. Thoy came
from large number Of shipbuilders who had
never made bids for the construction Of vos-
sells for the navy. and were attracted by the
fact that the torpedo boat came within the ro.
sources Of their establishments. This In It.
self was an Indication that there are now scat
tered in various parts Of the country many
builders who could be relied on In case OF nocd
to turn out craft Of small displacement for the
new navy.
In tho actual bidding there were but two
competitors. but this result was probably due
to the high standard Of construction required.
The speed to he guaranteed was far greater
than in the ease Of torpedo boat No. !. now
called the Gushing. The boat was to make no
less than twenty -four knots instead of the
twenty-five called for from the Cushing. and
In other respects the most advanced details OF
the shipbuiding art were required. When 1t
was found that the lowest bidder was firm
OH the upper Mississippi. which had never be-
fore appeared In these competitions. the Navy
Department sent out to ascertain whether
this firm had the necessary plant. Naval Con
structor Hichborn and Chief Engineer N. p.
Towne made favorable report. and there
upon the contract was awarded to the Iowa
Iron Works.
1t will be recalled that when the bids were
opened for constructing tho Naval Academy
practice vessel. the lowest was niade by +. W.
Wheeler 4 Co. OF Bay City. Michigan. but 1t was
rejected lest II should violate the treaty OF
RAJ - Nlo khnt ~
DO built or maintained upon the great lakes.
But now. with the evidence Of an important
and growing shipbuildins capacity In the
West. both on the Mississippi and the lakes. 1t
becomes matter for consideration whether It
may not be for the interest OF our country to
procure the abrogation Of that treaty.
The treaty as signed by Acting Secretary
Richard Rush on the part Of our Government
and by Mr.. Charles Bagot. Envoy Extraordi-
nary for Great Britain. provides very simple
and speedy method OF relief from Its Festrtc-
tons by either party that may become dissat-
isfed with 1t: If either party should hereaf-
ter be DESTROYS Of annuling this stipulation.
and should give notice to that effect to
the other party. it shall cease to be
RnaasE asts q rs Such &
been for the advantage Of our country to abide
ccnrac 81 u,n1l. rrnof HOht. drau0ht 0t1n.
hGnts ana tornadn vasss,s kat cnnd ente The
Iskes 1 Nv way Of The ~ Tawrnnce and he
annals II I 70 soUa,iv cear that orr nav co,iid
naf ommand thn MOUTH ~ fhe III favrence
or send any vessels IN the river The fact that
fb sh c9d ~ ay h n has csusad
our ovs rn 10 manffest ereat reSpect Tor
tbe treotv ~ iSI7 ~ whsch makns fhe fnlIowino
.,revsian VI AoA' ~'cn inaAos ''''
Tbs n.vai fore. 10 y. maintained unon III. American
ass !h al be eonned 10 ths fooWtns ves
sells On each side That ia
tons burden and armed With eighteen pound can
the upper lake.. to vessel. not exceeding IKE
On he wa.srs Of Lake chsmplsn, 70 ON. ves.o, NOT
Al Other armed vessels on these q shall b. forth
hsl. Ss ol ssm saa no other OF war
But Is it for our advantage to retain this
treaty. SUCH establishments As those 81 pg-
to defend itself BY building its own coast-pro-
lection fleets. both Of torpedoes and gunb0ats.