The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-08

AS there has been no explanation SO
far of the purpose which prompted the
Introduction OF Mr.. Cannon's resolution,
1t may be said that the moneyis wanted
primarily as an emergency fund. 1t
is said by the officials who will have the
disposition OF this money that IL by
no means follows because congress
places such a sum in the control of the
president that he will feel bound to spend
all Of ii. Those who look for whole
sale purchase of warships from the bar
gain counters of European builders are
likely to be disappointed. The navy
department is inclined TO make but one
purchase of this kind. at first at least.
in the shape of substantial ironclad.
1t does not desire to get possession OF
several of the larger class of torpedo
destroyers, such as the Sokul of the
Russian navy, vessels of 800 tons, able
to keep the sea in bad weather, a weak
point with our own boats, and capable
OF enormous speed, such as 32 knots:
but such craft are not for sale at all
times. They are built to order gem
orally, and could not be produced in
this manner in less than six months
from the date of contract, unless special
prices were paid.
The offers OF ships are now assuming
definite and formal shape. Secretary
Long received a call Monday from A.
+. Lane, representing the Maxim Nor
denfeldt company, and the agent for
several war vessels now nearing COM
pletion in large foreign shipyards. These
include two cruisers OF the type of the
Cincinnati. which are designed TO be
2O-knot vessels. and two ironclads Of
IA knots which would be called third
class battleships in our rating These
are now open to purchase. and IL is
understood that Mr.. Lanes visit was
In this connection. The two cruisers
are $50 feet long. 4S feet beam. 16 feet
draught. They carry six 6-inch and
four 5-inch guns. and an auxiliary bat
terry. The ironclads have a 10 3-4-inch
belt OF Harveyized steel Their arma-
ment is two 10-inch guns. four 5-inch.
two 6-inch, six 6-pounders and four l.
Founders. Mr. Lane regards these ships
as first-class i'm every respect. as they
were designed on modern principles and
ere being built by one OF the leading
shipbuilding firms OF Europe. They are
well along towards completion, and all
four. IL is said, could be i'm commission
within few months. They were orig
inally designed for one of the South
American republics. but there Is said
10 be no obligation which would pre-
vent their acquisition by the United
States. Mr.. Lane recently sold the navy
department SO OF the Maxim Norden-
feldt rapid-fire guns, and his standing
with the officials is such as TO give his
representations as 10 ships much weight.
There are things that are wanted much
more than warships In case OF trouble
and the army shares these neads. so
that fair proportion OF the $50. 900 900
would have to go TO the war department.
These are abundant supplies OF shot,
shell and powder. The army is as short
ss the navy OF these essential stores
IL has been found that there will not
be nearly as much difficulty I'm securing
modern arms for the navy. even on a
war footing. as was anticipated. This
is because certain private gun makers
have just brought out a type OF repeat
ing rifle very similar I'm general features
10 tho new army rife. using the same
cart .ge OF 30 guage ana with about as.
great rapidity OF fire The plants OF
these companies are so extensive that
they could turn the arms out very
rapidly. so that the Springfield IN the
hands OF the militia could be replaced
In short order. It is said that no con-