The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1892-12-31

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tion of fevehiie suffers 6l the crest
lakes by the Canadian anthorities has
received renewed consideration by the
officials Of the treasury department
within the past ten days since report
was received of one of the lieutenants
in the service to Capt Shepherd, Of the
revenue marine service. In this report
the lieutenant writes at considerable
length of the new vessels which have
been built by Canada within the past
year or SO and which are now about
ready for service
There are three Of theri-the Con.
stance, the Curlew and Petrol. The
g rst two were built at Owen Sound and
the Petrol has just been launched at
Hamilton. Designs OF the ships have
just been secured and accompany ths
report. They show that in all essen
tial features the boats are naval yes
sells. They have stcel-protected decks,
ram bows, are fitted for the reception
of torpedo tubes, have fittings for the
mounting of four one-inch Hotchkiss
rapid-fire guns, and carry three guns,
one on either bow and one at the stern
of the Maxim Norfeldt type, very eff
fective weapons
The designs for the bows were
furnished from the British admiralty,
the construction was superintended by
officers from the admiralty and the Of
ficers Of the vessels, 1t is understood
will come from the British navy The
Constance is already in commission and
the Curlew is nearly ready for service.
The building of these vessels affected
the ship yards on the American side
of the lakes. Mechanics employed id
their construction were induced to go
to Canada and work on them; the fore
man of Wheeler's and the establish.
ment at Bay City being among them.
Now that the work is finished these
men are seeking Unemployment at
their old places.
The report states that English and
Canadian officers and citizens explained
that the vessels were built with a view
to protecting the Welland canal from
destruction in case of attack. And in
this connection the statement was made |
that there are fifty vessels in the Brit |
ish navy that can be introduced into the |
great lakes via the St Lawrence and |
canal route. Contracts have been let for |
charging and deepening the Cornwall |
canal near Montreal (which is the shall |
lowest and contains the smallest locks), |
so that when completed, vessels $50 |
feet long and drawing twelve to fifteen
feet may be transported through the
canals with practically no loss of time.
The Constance, the Curlew and the Pc.
trel can go through Welland canal at
about full speed-1414 knots an hour
The report does not excite any ap-
prehension or alarm at the treasury.
Assistant Secretary Spaulding says he
has no fear that England will, at any
time, endeavor to rush fleet of fifty
vessels through the St Lawrence to
the lakes, nor that the British vessels
now on the lakes will ever seriously
menace either the commerce of the in.
land seas or the great cities that lie on
the borders thereof.
Owing to the absence from the city
Of Capt. Shepherd the report has not yet
been officially communicated to the
officials of the treasury department,
and hence its contents have not been
to the department of state.
Secretary ]. W. Foster stated yester-
lay that no information of the build.
ing of vessels on the lakes by Canada
mad been received by his department
since the date of his recent report to
the president upon the treaty of 1917,
the force of armed vessels
to be maintained on the lakes, which
was transmitted to congress week be-
fore last.
SIS it the policy of the United States
20 meet an increase of force on the
axes by Canada by similar increase
Of our own navy?" was asked.
Speaking only for the state depart
nent," was the reply. 81 should say
he United States will not build any
revenue cutters on the lakes unless it
needs them. That is question for the
treasury department to determine.
When additional ships are necessary in
he current business of the country
hey will be constructed and not be-
ore. The treaty of 1917 as construed
1y both the United States and Great
Britain places no restriction upon the
orce of revenue vessels that may be
on the lakes by either
,arty, but the documents should be
amended in some important particu-
ars. 1t is out of date and some of its
are ignored by mutual
consent"