The times., 1897-08-20


trip TO Secretary Alger and will be EN-
bodied into his official report when he
files il with the War Department The
second letter sent to Secretary Alger is
the mere interesting of tie two. 1t is
dsted Juiy 81 and was sent from Carls
bad In Austria. In il he refers TO his
visit to Naples and his observations OF the
italian troops, artillery and cavalry. while
engaged iR drill, field exercise aad prac-
tice marches. lie says they appeared TO
be strong ard in an effective condition
Further on he says:
Il visited the Armstrong cannon fac
tory near Naples, and every facility was
Offered me TO examine the work. Field,
siege and high-power guns are constructed
there. i thousand workmen being en.-
ployed-
skilled labor is obtained at $3.50, and
unskiIled labor at so cents a day. 1t is
private establishment, but TO some eX-
tent under the control OF the government.
High power guns are made for the
Italian government and Tor Spain and
the Argentine Republic.
Excellent field guns of the quick-flre
type are made there. The mechanism Is
strong and well adapted for very rapid
fire. The mechanism OF the high-powef
gun was the best / had seen up TO the
tine, rendering the weapon capable OF
being Tired with great rapidity.
FROM Naples ] went to Rome, where
i witnessed a parade OF six thousand Of
the best troops Of the Italian army. They
were reviewed by the king, and appeared
in excellent form as regards uniform, equip
nients. drill and military bearing.
AT the War office ! was received with
marked courtesy by Gen. Luigi PellouX, the
minister OF war, and afforded every facility
nigh, requireln making military obserTa
tons
From Rome proceeded through Flor
eace and Venice 10 Vienna. Gen. Edier vo1
KnechaInner, the minister OF War, detailed
an officer, Capt. Noseck, TO report to me,
and gave me every means OF seeing the mil
itary establishments in that vicinity.
II visited the principal barracks and
military museums, small arms works
and cannon foundry, and was cordially
received by the intelligent Officers il
charge. at the cannon foundry are con
stTucted bronze gun field and siege bat
teries.
''wniIe great strength is claimed for
these guns ] am not impressed by their
superiority.
In view OF what had previously and
have since seen, / am, however, much
impT esscd with the Mannlicher rifle now
in the hands of the Austrian army.
i saw one that had been fired over
10000 times and was still in good con-
dition. Compared with all other rifles
in use by the great military powers OF
the worid. this rifle holds high rank.
and has some advantages over all others.
The Austrian government is construct
ing a rife that viii possess superior fea-
lures to any now il use, and although the
mechanism is kept secret enough is learned
to convince ME of its superiority.
From Vienna I passed a second time
through Paris, en- route 10 London, where
j arrived June 10.
In accordance with my letter of in
structions / participated in the Queen 5
diamond jubilee celebration from June IS
until June 20. 1 was the guest of the
government at the Buckingham Palace
Hotel.
II witnessed on June 20 review by
Field Marshal Lord Wolseley, commander
in-chief Of the British army, of the colonial
troops. on June 81, with Capt Maus,
aide de-camp. was invited Go dine at the
palace, and we we've afterward presented
TO Her Majesty, Queen Victoria.
''on June % W. were assigned a place
in the cavalcade short distance in front
Of the Queens carriage. The city was
brilliantly decorated, especially alung tine
line Of march IL is fair TO estimate that
at least 10000 people Witnessed the
pageant, thus celebrating the reign of their
llustrious sovereign.
The management of the police appeared
Go be perfect, and tbs condition and MARTA!
appearance OF the troops were excellent
ION June % ] attended an official ban
quet at the Mansion House given by the
Lord Mayor Of London. On june 2e |
witnessed a review Of a part of the Brit
ish navy at Spithead, consisting of los
vessels and $4,000 men.
There was gathered the strongest and
most effective fleet of war vessels that
was ever assembled, from the torpedo
boat and torpedo destroyer of thirty knots
speed to the battle-ship OF the greatest
power. This feet does not constitute
one-half OF the British navy.
''0n June 30 accompanied Field Marshal
wolseley to the Royal Military College
at sandhurst and saw the review
and inspection of the corps of cadets.
On July ] / accompanied Field Marshal
Wolseley to Aldershot, where | was the
guest OF the Duke of Connaught, com
manding the Aldershot district, and wit
messed the review by the Queen OF 2e 900
troops cavalry, artillery and infantry
with trains.
The entire body marched past, the
infantry 1 n columns, folio wed by the
cavalry and light artillery charging past
at a gallup.
The troops were in excellent condition
and in high state of discipline, and the
maneuve-s were made with most creditable
order and precision.
''on July s I was present at the test
firing Of the Maxim guns and cannons
at Eynford- On July 6 1 visited the
Woolwich gun factory, government
establishment under the direction of Sir
William Anderson.
This. with the Enfield establishment,
employs 1900 men. Last year go
Held, siege and high-power guns were
at woolwich for the British
army aud navy.
lt is worthy of notice that, In addi-
hon TO the above. platforms. sbieles.
baroette and disappearing carriages, cais-
sens ammunition wagons, proiectiles,
including arror casings, shot and shells.
powder small arms, cartridges, military
wagons and torpedoes are all constructed
at this one establishment.
Another important feature is that when
the field, siege and high power guns of the
heaviest calibers are built they are place,
upon trucks or cars rnoxad 10 H. .,.