The morning times., 1896-03-25
BUYING iRh0R FROM US
Russia Is the First and Oilers
Are Expected.
TESTED AT INDIAN HEAD
BY the Courtesy of Secretary Herbert
They Are Allowed TO Use the Prov
ing Grounds-PrObabili of Pur-
chases OF Guns If the Big Shop Is
Established Here.

The superiority OF The American-made
arnlor over that manufactured abroad, has
been conciusiveiy proven 10 all experts, but
il was never anticipated that foreign govern
ments would depart from their weIl-estab-
lIshed policy OF depending upon home in
genuity and supplies alone for both con-
siructing ana etlnipping their warships and
come 10 this country TO purchase either
aTfnor, ordnance of single part OF a ships
outfit,
Russia, however, has recognized that
American armor is the best yet tested, and
has placed contracts with the two firms
which furnish plates for our baIIleships
for large supplies intended TO be used for
uieir newly authorized war vessels 1t
has even gone further and requested the
authorities OF the Navy Department TO test
this armor under the same conditions
imposed for acceptance of trials plates for
such ships as the Indiana, Oregon and Iowa.
This request was made through the Rus
Sian legation here. an mas been cheerfuily
acceled TO be Secretary Herbert. and the
first trial was held yesterday at the Indian
Head proving station Several years ago
the Russian government executed con-
tract with the Bethlehem Company to fur
nish l, 100 tons Of HarveyiZed nickel steel
armor, and deliveries have already been
MA il. tue tests iiiNiE Ut.il conducted al the
Bethlehem proving ground.
TEST OF CARNEGIE ARMOR.
The Camegics, however, who have also
been recently awarded a large contract,
are without ii place where great armor-
plates coulu be tested. Russia was eitler
compelled 10 have it shipped home for
test else depend upon the courtesy OF the
government to do it.
tnafi Ia
has thus Ia r dra VII on the United States for
any part Of Ter war supplies, and il is he
lieved that if theIe was large ordnance
plant for the manufacture OF all sizes OF
big guns, she would purchase part OF
her ships armament here also.
TIE successes which lave '3cen attained
by the Washington ordnance shops and
the well known superiority Of its guns
has excited wide interest among laval
powers. GUNS made here, however, are
intended solely for tie Eew war vessels
ami those at Natervliet for coast GeienSeS.
Aside from these government shops, there
is 10 concern in tie country that has yet
undertaken the work OF unmaking on a
large scale or is capable OF it,
Inc great REDUCTION ia the price OF arm or
since Secretary Whitneys wise policy OF
encouraging two plants to establish large
facilities for government work has served
not only TO decrease fully 10 Ter cent tie
cost OF battlcship construction, but has
enabled these films TO compete with the
best European armor manufactures for
Supplying the world with protection for its
war vessels.
BATTLE SHIPS FOR JAPAN.
Should American firms succeedins securing z
contracts for two or three japanese battle
ships, which they now expect, American
armor Will, OF course, be fitted to them, and
In the event that the japanese government
GndertakesitSelft the work Of building arart
OF its new flest there re promises that the
armor for the vessels viii come from this
country.
with the exception OF Russia, Japan and
the South American republics, there are
Hew other cra i1n governments fFCE which
the a rmor firms here can expect to receive
contracts. Great Britains armor, while
not the equal of that OF our battleships.
is nevertheless good, and she can make il
almost as cheap. Franceand Germany Ike
wise are satisfied with their own production
and Italy is not likely as yet to go far
beyond her borders for a foreign article.
With the redu uCtionintha ost ofarmor ant
a decrease generally in the cost OF shil
construction il is believed now that Amcri-
can firms can well afford TO compete with
some OF the best foreign yards in warshi;
building, and that eventually at least som'
or the great contracts which would hay
gone 10 Great Britain win find their way K
American ship companies.