The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-26
VIEW AT WASHINGTON


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washington, December 2a.--The war ana
navy departments OF the government have
reached the practical stage of prepara-
tion for settling the pending controversy
with England. The respective bureaus are
engaged In making estimates OF needed
appropriations to equip the land and
naval forces of the country for prompt
and efficient action.
General Miles has returned to washing
ton. and. after consultation with General
Flagler, he will recommend the immedi-
ate passage of an act by congress to au-
thorize tho arming Of the State militia
with the Springfield rifles recently dis
carded by the army.
one Of the first and most important
steps to be taken is to fit the auxiliary
navy for active service. Captain Sarnp-
son Of the naval ordnance bureau has
already completed the prelinlnaries to tnis
end. He has recommended that congress
be urged to make an emergency appro-
priauon Of s50o.ooO to be Immediately APP
piled 70 the construction of armament for
the passenger and freight vessels whicn
would lac subject to naval duty in the
event OF war
Besides the ocean steamers New YORK.
81 bouis, Paris and st. Paul there are
tNenty-eisht smaller vessels reported py
the naval board as subject to service un.
der the royisions Of the subsidy act OF
1 congress. one Of the prominent officers
OF the navy said today In this connection:
IN contemplating even the posi- nilty
OF war with England we must prepare,fot
license ATOMS our norihern border. on the
great lakes We are unquestionaoly at a
disadvantage there just at present but
this government could, within a reason
ably short time fill the lakes with iIlcets
Of small, but. efficient fighting vessels
The large steamers which ply the lakes
could be easily converted into effective
Sunboats. Their machinery could he
docked over SO as to protect II against the
enemy hre and armed with rapid lire
make the lakes too hot for our English
frienda
"a year ego Captain Sampson recon-
merded AN appropriation for the construc-
,ion Of guns 70, the Armament of what
might be called Jhe lakes fleet. Ills plan
Was to have these gums and sufficient am
nuHition stored ut available points along
the lakes. ready for Immediate use in the
event OF war. Congress paid no attention
to the matter Now we are able to see
The value Of the advice Of Captain sAmp-
/ son. Is not too late 10 profit by his aa-
/ vice, however II congress Will aDprourl-
ate halt million dollars witnout dcla,
Che work % constructing these runs s,H
nt commenced and prosecuted raplllv.
! u",e vessels winch ply the lakes ia the
a fie.t .g'r,- az O. No'!I oe mar 'utG
t,l.rsc ~, -,'N Vitett9et toI' VI
| unt WIN tne rapid fire armament which
10 d - 49,, .ufin LleF would he atle
- lt"ll,
fl-' -" "a IL" al OlhotTS anpolltel Tor
H. MI ,S,,- s," Us ~l'tl.4 report SNOW =
/ ''s ,aHt t1rfe are nov thirty-two Vessels
sIIHIlhF me heneills ut tint
~ ~. .u"-''9 Aet. ana therefore subject to
49,. - 7,i''"' % ne BoNcthmtut. is
~ I've losuidr NNSntls. Upon
VI '-' 'tas'i- IN government IS expanding
NJ ~" az nodru sstiuoies That there ore
4'''-'' '' ~ ft"t ''S 81 liitere0t sizes WEI "a
$50 'ilauie on tting converted iatO
~, ',-.',..9Ia. ilnStaho commerce, wish
n 'i.t"l% avGl1Ne TIE naval authorities
III, W. c,uaiio ~ ~ j.. In,a ~ months fit out
W.
About year ago the English govern
mont undcr pretcuse Of bull ling two rove-
nue. cutters for service on the lakes act
Haliy constructed TWO modern gunboats.
The Hr.tly OF thc English IN this uutter
was discovered bv an officer ,f o,,r ,,,,.,.
, va W. nav -
~ "'Ni'-"' tl"l d'S-sH thdei the
treaty, England could not build war YES
ae.s In the l4les so tb.. rrst,,t ar ,.,.
-,-....t. 20 W.
c WIZ revenue cutters was adopted.
ottIN"' VINO sAc-ecdei ia inspecting
.nc aliet,d I''enue vessels says tHat
49, OF tHeIh are really Steel clad gum
49, ani mat all they Aek for Gcuve
ii. rs tH" armament The decks of
i"r7r iNp NcSsc wore ready for the re-
v'ltl eI guns when ehr officer referred to
/ WIS atptrd one OF t1tm.
g., ne tUh@ W"uli soon be supplied, as
sileianl mas ma &c i q practice for years
70 maintain stores Of the latest inventions