Evening journal., 1896-04-25

Runner or n Torpedo Doat-The Cuban
Junta Has an option TO Purchase the
steamer.
WASHINGTON. April s5.-Under the very
nose OF the Spanish minister and within
sight of tho seat of tho national govern
ment, which has shown It's hostility TO Al
ihustering expeditions ~, behalf Of the Gu
bans, a vessel has recently been fitting out
designed to render aid to the revolution
lists in the Queen Of the Antilles.
This vessel Is the Howard Cassard, com
monty known as the Knife craft, which
IS now at Newport News, Va, having
been towed to that place from Alexandria,
Va, where she underwent numerous re-
pairs in ordcs that she might be fitted for
the service she is intended TO perform. 1t
has been reported that the Cubans pro-
posed employing her as a torpedo boat,
but it Is learned that this Is untrue. At
least there is no present intention of so
using her unless the United States should
recognize the belligerency of the Cubans,
in which event she would be transformed
into a craft OF that kind. 1t is understood
that she has been secured wholly with
view to transporting munitions of war to
Cuba, and, according 20 the programme
which was adopted some time ago, she
was TO sail on a southern trip today.
It is reported, however, that the Cas-
sard would undergo ten days repairs at
Newport News and II this be true It is
apparent that something has occurred
which as>eaused a change in the date Of
the vessels sailing.
Preparing the ship For Cuba.
The Cassard lay at Alexandria for a
year or more, and since the Cuban rebel
lion started has been a much desired OBJ
ject among the friends of the Cubans in
this country. The vessel Is 220 feet long,
with 10 feet beam, and this shape permits
Of her making considerable speed, % knots
an hour being declared her record. The
necessity of having a vessel which could
pass the Spanish gunboats without much
trouble has been evident to the Cuban
iunta, and the result of their negotiation
has been a contract with the owners, it is
asserted, which permits the use of the
ship for conveying arms and ammunition
TO Cuba. The owners, il is said, are to get
$40, 600 for each trip and have given an
option to the revolutionary iunta for the
purchase of the vessel in case of the recog-
nitioH Of Cuban belligerency by this ooun-
try.
For some months past changes and re-
pairs have been in progress on the Cas-
sard, as stated, intended to put her in
condition for the traffic she was to engage
in. She was practically finished on Tues
day night, before her departure in tow
Of a tug for Newpors News. Her COM
mander Is an old sailor we'll known in
the coastwise trade 1t is said that she is
supplied with well concealed compart-
ments, in which can be stored guns and
ammunition, extra bulkheads, It is said,
having been fitted into the ship for this
purpose.
Much Admired by the Cubans.
1t Is understood that some months age
q representative of the Cuban iunta, who
is also reported to have negotiated tn,
contract for the employment OF the steam
er, attempted 70 purchase field guns from
an ordnance company. At that time thJ
firm had demands slsew here for the woap-
ems, but, after considerable dickerng an
agreement was reached looking to the de
livery Of n certain number of guns as well
as for tha necessary cartridges. It Is stated
that the Cubans had purchased other sup
plies. which they intended to put aboard
the Cassard.
The steamship Howard Cassard is one
of the most remarkable looking vessels
eyor seen on the water. In comparison
with her a slim torpedo boat would look
broad and tubby. She is proportioned like
the blade of carving knife. and as she
rides in tho water her keel occupies the
relative position of the cutting edge of the
blade a photograph of her taken from a
point in front OF and close under her
bows shows her knifelike popularity.
The Casssrd represents an attempt to
revolutlonize ocean travel. Her inventor
believed that she would make 30 miles an
hour when driven at full speed. On her
trial trip, however. she could not show
more than % or % miles an hour
Where the Money Came From.
An Illinois congressman is greatly in.
terested in the Cuban cause and Is assist
ing il as much as possible He has recent
ly been negotiating with a Chicago man
for the purchase OF the Cassard. This man
wrote to him few days ago. stating that
ho intended to place SEQ 600 mortgage
on building he owned which he would
apply to the purchase of the steamer. The
congressman wired him to como to Wash
ington, but received letter stating that
owing to an accidens the writer would be
unable to comply with bis request. The
congressman returned several days ago
from New York, where he bad an inter
view with Mr.. Palma Of tie Cuban junta.
Mr.. Palma IS reported to have said that
the iuuta had received subscriptions from
Americans and that the money would be
used for the purchase of guns rifles and
ammunition.
1--WE don't want men. he said. "Wo
have two men in Cuba where we have one
rife. What We need are guns and ammu-
milton, and with these at hand we viii be
all right.