The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-02-18

When they talk about coast defenses, few
people conceive what it means in the way Of
time and expenditure Of money. A single gun
which costs $4,000 is pretty tOlerably ex-
pensive paything but this is what some Of the
guns cost Gen. Flagler, Chief Of the Bureau
Of Ordnance Of the Army, appeared last week
before the Senate Committee on Coast Deienses,
aud gave the members some points on subjects
he has been investigating. He is in favor OF
building gun factory on the Pacific Coast and
told the Committee that the Wateryliet plant
could be duplicated for :l,Go0,0oO, which is
$4,000 less than the original. In answer to
questions by the Committee, the General told
them that the Watervliet factory could, when
completed, turn out about 10 guns year, from
eight 10 l6 inches in calibcr aud that with the
present facilities il would take until the year
1906 20 complete the guns and mortars recon-
mended in the Notifications boards report.
In regard 10 the defense of The Pacific Coast,
the General thought that ii would take 10 new
steel guns and 100 new steel mortars TO defend
the three principal ports of the coast, San
Diego, San Francisco. and the mouth OF the
Columbia River, aud that a gun factory should
bN NNAiultHlNu 10 bulll AlitoI guns. " ath
heavy guns, however, the number given did
not indicate the real protection they afforded.
San Francisco would be, he stated under the
present plan, defended by eight and lO.ineh
guns mounted on disappearing carriages. The
lG-inch rincd guns, which cost Sl20,OOO' weigh
100 tons aud have a range of II miles. III
would not be feasible TO ship such guns across
the country.
One OF the most interesting and unique ar
ticlos kept in the family dining-room of the
White House is an immense elephants foot
which is devoted to the purpose of a tca-caddy.
The caddy is lined with silver, and is full OF
the finest Bhud tea ever produced in the Island
OF Ceylon. The caddy and contents were pre-
scented TO Mrs. Harrison by the Planters Tea
| Company Of Ceylon. Two OF the natives OF that
Island. a man aud a woman, have been in Wash
ington for some weeks, and they visited the
White House and were presented 20 Mrs. Har'
rison last week. The woman is said to be the
first of her sex to visit this country. They
wear the costumes OF their country and attract
great deal Of attention, the woman coming III
for the lions share, owing TO the ornaments
used in bedecking herself. On the left side o.
her nose hole has been bored, from which
there is a pearl suspended, the gem being ont
Of the finest for which the Island Of Ceylon Il
noted. The woman's costume is a very effect
I've one, red silk and gold-lace fringe predomi
mating.
&c
IT is extremely probable that the bill appro
priating 10000 for the erection Of a bronz
equestrian statue Of Gen. U. S. Grant in Wash
ington will be passed by this Congress, no mat
ter if the House OF Representatives has decides
that no money shall be expended unnccessaril!
by the present Congress. The Senate Com
mittoo on Public Buildings and Grounds re
ported fayorably on this measure on Tuesday
Feb. 3. This report on the bill says that " thi
bin was iavorably considered and reported b,
this Committee during the last session Of Con
gross. II was considered by the Senate, and
after an interesting debate was passed.
failed, however 20 secure consideration by th
House. though all the indications were tina
that body would have concurred in the actio
Of the Senate had time allowed. There is n
need Of argument in support Of the bill. Til
erection Of a national monument 10 Grant
recognized throughout the Union, and, iudee'
throughout the world. The Committee recon
mend that the bill be passed"
. u7a
Wanamaker denies that lie intends TO resigI
Noble, do
Tracey, do.
Foster, do.
: Blaine says that the story that he is to resig
3 is " an internal lie"
. We shall have it all reiterated though, mel
I week.
!, -
3 report was received from London {
= Wednesday. Feb. 10 which stated that Ho
9 James Lowther, Parliamentary Secretary
a the British Foreign Office, i'm reply TO a que
u ton Of a member Of Parliament said Tia
= Great Britain and the United States had agree
C that France, Italy, and Sweden should act
e arbitrators Of the Bering Sea dispute, althoul
z these nations had not yet been asked toa ppoil
s the arbitTatoTg. This statement was confirm,
o by Secretary Blaine ut the State Departures
e on Thursday, Feb. II. This tribunal will
> Tie United States, two representing Great 81
J. tain, aud three representing neutral Cover
: meuts.
J. IS
II The Canadian Commissioners were in Was
r. ington last week to urge upon the United Stat
r Government the Canadian view Of rcciprocit
= They held consultation with Gen. John W. II