Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-31
A RIPPLE OF GOSSIP
Caused by the Gunboat Concord Being
Ordered to Venezuela.
ONLY A MEASURE OF CAUTION.
More Talk About the Changes in LrmOr
Plate and an Investigation.
THE CRAMPS POSITION IN THE MATTER.
rrrox A STAFF CORRESPONDENCE

of gossip was in the air around the Navy,
War and State Departments to-day when it
became known that the United States gun
boat Concord had been ordered to South
American waters, and that its destination
in all probability is the port of Puerto
Cabello, on the coast of Venezuela All
sorts of rumor were in the mouths of all
sorts of people, the most important being
that the Concord would sail for Puerto
Cabello with instructions to demand the
delivery to the representatives of the
United States the five Congressman who
were recently taken by threats and force
against the protest of United States Consul
Rilev, from a vessel of the "Red d" line,
flying tee American flag.
If such is the fact it could not be estab-
lished to-day at either the State or the Navy
Department The authorities there would
not admit that there IL any special purpose
in the order issued to the Concord more than
to have the vessel at hand to protect, if
necessary, the interests of citizens of the
United States, which may always be af-
fected when one of the perennial revolu-
tions of the South American States is in
progress.
No Chance for International Conflict.
1t is still insisted by good authority at
the State Department, who was quoted in
these kilograms few DAYS ago, in connec-
tion with the news of the capture of the
Venezuelan Congressman, that there is no
basis for an International dispue in this af-
fair. The Congressman were taken by per-
sons in insurrection, and for whom the legal
authorities of Venezuela could not be re-
sponsible, and the only redress the United
States could compel would be that which
could be had by joining issue with the Gov
eminent in power against the rebels. which,
of course, would be out of the question.
This seems to be q very curious view,
however, and it may be that Secretary Fos-
ter, not being content with giving Canada
sound lecture, has discovered that it would
add life to the political campaign to give
Venezuela trouncing, just to try some of
the gunboats on dog, as it were,
The Armor Plate Changes Again.
All was quiet at the Navy Department to-
day in regard to the scandals which it is pre-
dicted will grow out of the charge that in
furious and expensive changes have been
made in the form of armor plate without the
usual and formal proceedings which COM
monty attend such matters Commodore
Folger is busily engaged upon the state
ment of the causes that led to the changes,
and complete explanation of them, which
he will submit to Secretary Tracy upon his
return to the city. and this statement. it is
expected at the department, will end the
sensation.
The Commodore is on hot scent for the
persons who have been instrumental In stir
ring up all the fuss, and it is possible that
these officers will be the only ones investi- |
gated. While The gossip is undoubtedly |
largely the result of clique jealousy, no |
matter whether the charges he true or not,
it is pretty certain that the official immedi- |
ately responsible is one who is personally |
interested in the success and adoption OF the |
DETECTING form of turIet, and who might |
possibly make q nice thing out OF il if his |
plans do not fare badly by the refusal to |
adopt it
Gocd rry Tor Almost No Work.
A few years ago Captain Wilson was |
Chief of the Bureau of Naval Construction.
He made slight change in the form of the |
portfolio OF war vessels, which was adopted |
by the naval authorities Some time after
be applied to Congress for remuneration for
his simple change-for it could not be /
called an lnvention-and Congress, in the /
kindness of its heart, gave Mr.. Wilson the /
snug sum of SIS, 900 for doing nothing.
Another souce that gets share of the
CICult up CTlblClSH OI IQe
changes is the firm of Cramps, the noted
Philadelphia shipbuilders This is, how
ever, an injustice to the Cramps. can state
positively that the changes in the form of
the belt armor for war vessels now under
construction at their yards was made at
their suggestion, to facilitate the early de-
livery of the vessels to the Government
The change cost the Government Just the
sum of 81 900, and the Cramps in return
bound themselves to hasten BY certain
period the delivery of the vessels. A letter
from Charles Crsmp to this effect is on file
at the Navy Department
Two Stories That Do Not Fit,
This does not harmonize with the story
that Mr. Cramp asserted the department
had made the changes to the detriment Of
his hrm, but SO much the worse for the |
story. However, the statement of the Sec
retary of the Navy will be forthcoming
within few DAYS, and then the matter can
be brought TO an issue, if there be anything
that seems to be injurious or corrupt
A telegram from Philadelphia saws:
Alexander Dieterich, chief constructor of
the German navy, and privy councillor to
the German Admiralty, is in Philadelphia,
making study of the methods and prod
ucts OF construction at Cramps ship ward
To-day he paid particular attention to the
cruisers New York and Columbia and the
battleships Massachusetts and Indiana To-
morrow the German visitor goes to Bethle-
hem, where the great plant of the Bethle-
hem Iron Company will be inspected and
and the making of the United States guns
in the ordnance department viewed.
Secretary Crounse Very Confident.
Assistant Secretary Crounse, of the Treas
ury Department, who will soon resign his
position to take personal hold of his can
Vass for Governor of Nebraska, returned
to-day after short visit to his home at the
,ity of Omaha, and will remain here until q
his resignation is accepted. Judge Crounse
reports that the outlook for the Republi-
cans in Nebraska is as favorable as could
be expected, and that he anticipates his
election by majority of 5, 600. He admits,
however. that he is working against great
odds
Two years ago the Alliance party carried
he Legislature, the Democrats the Gov
,rnor, and the Republicans the remainder
If the State ticket This year the Repub-
leans frankly admitted that they had a
orlorn hope unless Judge Crounse would
lccept the nomination, as they declared he
vas the only man in the State who could be
lected on their ticket Thus urged, Judge
Jrounse, having the success of his party
eeply at heart, consented to make the run
ling, and resigns his very high and
honorable position in the department for
hat purpose.
All the Parties Will Work.
Ex-senator Van Wyck has been nomi-
ated by the Peoples party, and anybody
Tho knows him knows that he will make
canvass The Democrats are
etermined to make a nomination merely
Or the purpose OF keeping their organiza-
ion intact, and are in convention now for :