Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-12-24
WAR VESSELS ON the LAKES.
Gen. Miles Utterances Condemned in Wash
ing.on-What the Situation Is.

WASHINGTON. Dec 23.-There is only
one opinion in the state, war and navy de
partments in regard to Gen. Miles state
ment ia regard to the English war vessels
on the great lakes being equal to deciara-
ton of war, ami it is that Gen. Miles has
no ground either for his assumption or his
sensational statement.
The condition of things on the great
lakes has been fully understood by the de-
partments here for some time, and State
Secretary Fosters communication TO Con-
gress some days ago in relation to this very
matter explained our position fully.
Officials do not care 10 be quoted by name
in regard to Gen. Miles remarks. but they,
one and all. condemn him and wonder how
be could be led into making such sensa-
tional statements in print.
"All that Gen. Niles states in regard to
the British force on the lakes is well known
in the department, said prominent navy
department official, but we are powerless
to preven, it," Had Congress granted
what we asked, or if it even passes the
pending bills to improve our revenue ma
riue service We will have as good force
there as England.
"But Gen Miles does not make clear
the lakes. They are not built there, but
come from the ocean by the system OF
canals on British possessions, which are
built large enough to admit slmost all of
Eugland's big naval force. Our treaty does
not prevent the coming of these yessels,a and
in case of war England will send everyone
of her vessels through her canals, around
the st. Lawrence river. while we could not
get as much as new boat through in time
of war.
..Of course, in time of peace our vessels
can go through but instantly war was de-
rsred their canals would be blockaded TO
us. The navy department, forcseeing this,
has advocated the paraleling OF their
canals on the American side, but Congress
has not listened to us"
However, it would be better just at
present to deepen the Erie canal TO 10 feet
and improve her docks so that the United
States would have Il direct water course
from the Hudson to the Lakes and thus be
independent of the canals about the ST
Lawrence This deepening of the Erie
canal would be cheaper than building a
large force of war vessels on the Lakes.
Within the last six months a special
agent of the navy department has made a
tour of the lakes and Inspected all the new
steel merchant vessels lately built herewith
a view. in case of necessity, of conYerting
them into war vessels. His reports are
| favorable. especially so in connection with
the new vessel named the Ann Arbor.
( The war department is somewhat cha
grined at Gen Miles talk, and does not be-
ieve in building war ships on the lakes.
They consider that lani force can b.
quickly massed on the border. take posses
1 SION of the Welland canal and prevent the
| passage of any more vessels into the lakes :
but the department is heartily in favor OF
the passage of the bill to put our revenue
marine on the same footing as England.
The state department naturally refuses
to discuss the question. but is surprised at
/ the remarks of Gen. Miles. The depart
mept clsims that it is familiar with ,ae
( condition of affairs on the lakes and points
to the seC-etary's late communication to
Congress on the matter AMI will urge Con
cress to act in regard to the equipment OF
/ revenue.
The navy department. it is sail. has
drawn in the rough series of designs for a
number of lake revenue cutters which
would possess a speed of 30 knots per hour
ami larry batteries of inch rapid hre
ordnance ihes anil crews of 10 or 80 men