The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-09-22
ALL EUROPE TALKS.
Battle-Ship Oregon the Theme Of
Foreign Naval Experts.
PRESTIGE GAINED BY OUR BUILDERS
Transsibsrian Railroad 10 Open Up a
Vast Commerce for the Pacific Coast
Keep the Philippines.


Union Iron Works OF San Francisco,
where the crack battle-ship Oregon
was built, arrived from Bremen on the
Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse. lie
spent most OF his time abroad in Rus
STA and induced the Car to give the
Union Iron Works a chance to build
some battle.shipi for the Russian
navy.
Scott says the wonderful cruising
and fighting ability OF the Oregon il
the talk OF the naval experts abroad.
The prestige OF American shipbuilders
has gone beyond even that OF the Eng
lish shipbnilders. A swift battle-ship,
in the opinion OF Russian naval au-
thorities, is the war vessel OF the
future.
The fate OF the Spanish torpedo
boat destroyers at Santiago has created
the impression in Russia that the
torpedo-boat is not as useful as it was
supposed to he. Russians are inclined
TO put their faith chiefly in swift,
heavily armored craft.
Scott says Russia has developed
wonderfully in recent years. There is
a great demand for merchant vessels OF
all sorts, and Scott thinks the ship
builders OF the Pacific Coast will have
chance to build for the Russians.
Mr., Scott said that he went to Russia
TO further American interests on the
eastern coast OF Siberia, and, incident
ally, to crack up the performances Of
the American-buiIt ships OF war,
Russia, he continued, sis undergo.
ing marvellous industrial development
in every direction. Railroads are
being built and manufacturing is adj
vancing rapidly. 1t is great field for
American industry, particularly on
the Pacific Coast, near the terminals
of the new railroad. Merchant vessels
are h demand, and iron and steel will
be needed, and it was to get our share
OF the trade more than anything else
that ! went abroad. My visit will,
| think, result in our getting contracts
for some OF the new warships to be
constructed for the Russian Govern.
ment.
Europe will continue to build her
own war vessels. With the exception
of the battle-ship and cruiser ordered
by Russia from the Cramps last May,
l do not expect to see American built
vessels flying foreign flags. In Euro
pean ship yards ! found tremendous
activity and noted constant introdpc-
tions of new appliances, Each ooun-
try will naturally desire to build its
own war ships. Europe will profit by
the lesson the Oregon taught, but she
will use the facilities OF her own work.
shops and yards. Each nation seems
to be putting forth its greatest effort
to enlarge its sea power. Gefmany's
naval plans show that in 1900 she
will have nineteen battles ships and
forty-three cruisers. This is an indi-
cation only of the general activity,
"Our naval victory at Santiago was
an eye-opener to all Europe. There
had been gerat deal of skepticism
before about our navy, The Oregon
was an object lesson to all the world
in what battle. ship can do, and now
every one recognizes that our war
ships are OF the best. No such per-
Torrance had been dreamed of abroad,
and the prestige of our Navy rose to
the highest point. There was keen in
terest taken in everything we did,
going even to details. The destruc-
ton OF the torpedo-hoa was the
cause of revision OF all foreign naval
programmes. The battle-ship was
elevated to the place and Importance
it deserves, and much doubt was
thrown on the utility of torpedo boats.
In consequence all the powers have
curtailed their outlay for these crafts
and are going in more for heavily
armed and armored vessels.
Prince Michael Hilkoff, who was
in this country year or so ago, has
taken deeper interest in things
American than any one else in Russia.
! know him well. When l was in
Russia he was experimenting the con-
struction OF branch road to Arch
angel.
1--WE should keep the Philippines.
We won them fairly and they are
rightfully ours.