The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-03-16

Ing speed Win MS inquiries up 10
this moment not only has the United
States government bought no war
ships, but it has not even secured an
opticn on one There are many ap-
plicatlons coming to the department
from persons and firms who desire to
sell ahips to the government, but in
most of these cases one of two fatal
obstacles are encountered to the con-
summation of the sale: Either the
craft offered is not suitable to naval
needs. or the date Of possible CON-
pletion is so distant, from three
months upward, that it cannot be re-
garded as worthy of purchase to
meet an emergency There is less
difficulty experienced in securing
tenders of war material, such as shot
and shell aud powder, and the navy
department has almost assured itself
Of all abundant supply of certain
kinds of smokeless powder, abroad,
at short notice The officials of the
department are daily in correspond
ence by mail and telegraph with
agents of ammunition houses. and
beside are now fully acquainted with
the plans of domestic powder max
ere for enlarging their plants to
meet an emergency. The rep
resensatives of the armor max
ing firms are in consultation with the
department steadily, generally rela-
tive to the supply of gun forgings
and such material for use in the gun
shops here and at Waservliet, but
the question of armor is receiving
little attention, as the armor makers
repor! that they cannot undertake By
any known agency to turn out such
armor as would be, required for q
modern battleship in less than seven
months, for the reason that tempering
and face.hardening cannot be has
tened without destroying the value
of the srmor. Thus it has been de-
monstrated to the navy department
that it will not be possible to make
the armor for she superb battleships.
three in number. now building at
Newport News and at Cramps and
at the Union Iron Works in San
Francisco, in time to render these
ships--far better. it is claimed, than
any offered from abroad for sale
available for any emergency that
may arise this year.
The statement was made at the
navy department to-day that the re-
port Of the Maine court of inquiry
probably would come to- the de.
partment some time next week.
1t did not appear, however.
that this statement was founded upon
any direct report from the court, but
was rather an estimate based upon
the progress 80 far made as revealed
by the change of methods on the
part Of the court
Admiral Sicard has been authorized
to enlist suitable men for the navy at
Key West, if he can find the material.
He reported that he had received
some applications from machinists
and seamen. and was Immediately
given the power to take the men.
The department is still striving vigor-
ously to secure macbioists. especially
men who know how to run stationary
engines. These men can be quickly
taught how to run marine engines
and require little other training to
make Shem valuable aboard ship
The war department is arranging to
secure large supply of che most
modern rifles. sufficient in time Of
emergency to arm force of 50O..
900 men
Senior Mendonca, the Brazilian
minister, said to day that he has re-
ceived no Information as to the report
ed negotiations toward the purchase
of Brazilian warships. now in course
of constructions in foreign yards In
other official quarters the impression
is growing that there is better pros
pect of securing ships now building
for Argentina 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 IRON
clads building at the Armstrong
yards, two iron-clads at La Seine,
France, and three torpedo boat catch
ers at Stettin, Germany. Consider
able payments have been made On
these, and they have become largely
the property Of Brazil. 1t is claim
ed, however. that the report of a
treaty between Brazil and Chile,
which would prevent either from
selling ship unless the other sold
at the same time. is erroneous
The administration has definite in-