The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-21

Two Shots at Plates and One of the
Latter Cracked Open.

makers are rapidly delivering the last lots
of armor for the big battle ships, and in
short time they will have completed
their contracts. At Indian Head to-day
there was an acceptance test of another
plate. representing 313 tons of the side
arrnor of the Massachusetts,, which is about
half of her side plating. This plate was
eighteen inches thick and was attacked by
twelve-inch gun. The plate was nickel
steel. tested by the. Harvey process at Beth
lehem. The first shot was fired at
velocity of l42O feet per second. 1t was
what is known as the cracking shot, but
It It failed failed to crack the plate and smashed
into the plate. The second shot, fired for
penetration. got into the plate about
pieces but it cracked the plate in a verti-
cal line from top to bottom clear through,
Thus the plate behaved precisely in the
same manner as the Carnegie plste for
the Indiana tried about two weeks ago:
and the plate passed the test. The next
test will be made on Carnegie plate. of
the same dimensions as that tried to-day
tie ship Oregon. This viii probably be fired
The army Notifications board at its
monthly meeting decided in the matter of
proposed to be furnished by the Cramps,
that the mortars must stand comparison
m the cas eon
hooped mortar.
silver Agitation in Germany.
WASHINGTON, April 2O.-United States
Consul johnson, at Stuttgart, reports to
the State Department that the monetary or
silver question has been again made the,
subject of active discussion during the past
few weeks in Germany. Meetings have been
held in Stuttgart, Ulm. Gallo, Haidenheim,
Heibronn Reuttingen S and in nearly yo all
against any change in the present monetary
system of the empire. Addresses have been
with the prayer that the Wurtemburg Min
istry will, in conjunction with the other
prevent any action that would shake the
firm foundation of the monetary system,
and that no concessions shall be made that
could endanger that system.
The Nicaragua Scare Blowing Over.
WASHINGTON, April 90 - Admiral
Meade's cruise of evolution in the Gulf of
Mexico and the Caribbean sea is at an end
and the ships will be headed homeward
from Colon. The Minneapolis goes first to
Jamaica and thence to Norfolk. Secretary
Herbert says that the other vessels will be
heard from next at Key West, whence they
will proceed to New York. The Atlanta and
the Raleigh, probably, will be left at the
isthmus Tor time until order is restored
ed as establishing the fact that our govern
ment does not expect any trouble in Mic
aragua as a result of the British ultimatum
that will jeopardize American interests.
MIR. Hits Condition Is Serious.
WASHINGTON, April 20.-Representative
Hit, of Illinois, who is lying dangerously
Ill here, was worse this afternoon. His ply
scians are with him almost constantly, and
while they do not say the patients condi-
ton is critical, they regard it very grave.
The primary trouble was an aggravated case
of gUp, but this has now developed other
serious complications.
At midnight Representative Hits condi-
tion was unchanged. While he was very
nent DR.. w. w. Johnston, his physician,
will remain in the house ali night.
The Postage Stamp Frauds.
WASHINGTON, April 2o.-This afternoon,
in speaking of the capture of the stamp
counterfeiters, Postmaster-general Wilson
said when this matter was first discov-
cred feared that the frauds might have
been extensive, the counterfeit being very
good one. But the acquisitions for stamps
from poStmaSterS all over the country have
been very large recently. showing that, the
counterfeitS were not numerous enough to
affect the revenue perceptibly."
General Notes.
WASHINGTON, April 2O.-In the revenue
cutter service Captain Ottinger, Chief En-
gineer Robinson and First Assistant En-
gineers Dyce and Fitzpatrick have been
placed on the retired list at half pay
To-day's statement of the condition of the
treasury shows: Available cash balances,
$1S3, ,547, ,56S; gold reserve, $780, All, 1881.
Superintendent n. M. Brooks, of the for
eign mail service. has been notified that
the Universal Guide" completed by the
international commission of the Universal
Post Union, and containing lists of all the
postoffices in the world, is practically COM
pleted and will be ready for distribution
next July.
The Dawes commission to the five civilized
tribes met to-day. Commissioners Dawes,
Montgomery. Armstrong and Cabannis were
present. Allen r. Boyd. confidential clerk
to Secretary Smith, was elected secretary
to the commission at salary of 81 500 a
year. He is a native of Georgia, and a
resident of the Indian Territory.
The San Francisco has arrived at. Alex
andria. where she was ordered for the
protection of missionaries in Syria.