The herald., 1898-03-10

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+ n ~ U1St of the court e h net ex-
So that x4cutenant- Commander
NJ, The Judge advocate Of tho court.
M 1eaye the court until It has completed
\ IL 1nbors and 1t IL the custom for the judes
advocate to assist In the preparations OF
the inai report Of the court.
Many congratulations arc coming to the
White House and the state department
from all parts of the country upon the pa
friotic spirit in dealing with the latest
Z phase OF the Cuban question. Most Of
them are official in character, but many
are personally directed to the president.
NAVAL RECRUITS
Admiral Sicard has been authorized to
enlist suitable men for the navy at Key
West II he can find the material. He re-
) ported that he had received some applica-
tions from machinists and seamen and
was Immediately given the power to take
the men. The department is still striving
vigorously to secure machinists, especially
men who know how to run stationary en-
gines These mon can be quickly taught
how to run marine engines and require lit
tie other training to make them valuable
aboard ship.
AUTONOMY SCHEMES
Official reports indicate that the auto
nomy scheme projected for Porto Rico has
been put into successful operation This
is interesting mainly because of resem-
blance between the project and the plan
which 1t is now sought to put in operation
in Cuba. The news came in the shape of
the following report given out at the state
department.:
IA dispatch from the United States con-
sui at San Juan, Porto Rico, states that
the Inauguration. of the cabinet and the
ceremony Of declaring autonomy in effect
in that island occurred on the 18th ultimo
- IL -
manifestation OF Joy and the whole popu-
lation seemed to be happy over the thought
that home rule at last had been granted
Porto Rico.''
ARMS FOR THE ARMY
The war department is arranging to Sc
cure q large supply of the most modern
rifles, sufficient In time of emergency to
arm a force Of 100000 men. The need of
these modern guns has long been apparent,
but congress has not shown disposition
to supply any reserve of rifles for use by
q volunteer force in time of war.
Now, however, an adequate supply of
the most effective rifles will be among the
uses to which the war department will
putvits share Of the defense fund.
It was stated by high officials of the
department today that no board was nec-
essary to inquire into the merits of the
various guns on the market, but that the
department would turn to the best sources
of supply. These, it Is said, are ample
within the United States to turn out rifles
of the most approved pattern as fast as
the government wants them. 1t is not un-
likely, however, that the demand will re-
Quire the army to turn from the Krag-
Jorgensen rifle, now in use, and adopt, in
part at least, one of the American-made
guns. General Miles strongly favors the
straight pull gum" 1t Is of American
make and has been adopted by the British
government as the standard arm, a million
now being in the hands of British soldiers.
General Miles recommended its adoption
eighteen years ago when a member of the
board for the choice of rifle. He contin-
ued his advocacy of it, and in view of his
ranking position in the army his view will
have much weight. This gun Is used by the
United States navy, and this Is being urged
as another point in its favor, as the reserve
supply would be available for either branch
of the government service. The ordnance
bureau of the war department has control
of the letting of contracts for rifles, small
arms, etc.
The officials of the bureau observe great
reticence. feeling that the publication of
what they are doing would prejudice the
interests of the government But the clos
tnglOf contracts Is at most a question of
time, for the heads of departments are
agreed that these supplies are the first to
be secured.
Like attention is being given to supplies
of powder, cartridges, ETC., for the army.
Those in authority say orders can be filled
without delay and that about the only
branch of ordnance on which the facilities
are not fully up to an emergency demand
are those of heavy fortification guns.
AVAILABLE VESSELS
Senor Mendonca the Brazilian minister,
said today that he had received no infor- |
nation as to the reported negotiations to-
ward the purchase of Brazilian warships
now in course of construction in foreign
yards. In other official quarters the i'm
preston is growing that there is better
prospect of securing ships now building
for Argentine and Chile Brazil has been
active of late in building up her navy. and |
there is doubt as to her willingness to part |
with any of the ships now building for her |
These include two ironclads building at
the Armstrong yards. two ironclads at La |
Sienne, France, and three torpedo boat |
catchers at Stettin. Germany. Considera-
bic payments have been made on these
and they have become largely the property
of Brazil 1t is claimed. however, that the
report of a treaty between Brazil and Chile
which would prevent either from selling
ship unless the other sold one at the same
time is erroneous.
AT HAVANA