The herald., 1898-03-16

carrying sufficient coal at economical
speed to run 1000 knots. This advantage Is
not possessed by any of our boats, ana It's
Importance is fully illustrated by the dii-
ficulties confronting the efforts OF the
Spaniards to get their torpedo hotilia
across the Atlantic to Cuba. Based upon
the statements of shipbuilders who have
been approached upon the subject, the
department has satisfied itself that num-
Der of these boats can be built In from SIX
to eight months. We have now under con-
struction in the United States four boats
rated as thirty-knotters, but, with the ex-
ception of the one built at the Union Iron
works, which is 60 per cent advanced TO-
ward completion, very little progress has
been made in their construction.
One of the boats is building at Hodlan &
Hollingsworth's, one at the Gas Engine and
Power company, and one at Wolff &
Sweicker's, Portland, Ore.
FOREIGN INTERFERENCE
Not much concern is expressed by Off
GERS of the administration over the re-
ported intention of European governments,
at the instigation of Austria, to intervene
between the United States and Spain in
the settlement of the questions pending
between them. So far, it has been stated
that this has taken no official shape, or, at
least, no indication of such design has
reached the state department. What the
attitude of our government would be II
representations in that line were addressed
to it by European powers is a question that
the OFFICIALS naturally do not care to an
swer in anticipation. The suggestion that
the Spanish government has protested
against the sale by Brazil of the two cruis-
ers to the United States fails to cause any
feeling of concern, the naval officers hold
ing that there can be no question of the
right of the United States to increase its
navy.
Senator Proctor called at the state de-
partment about noon today and spent some
time in conference with Assistant Secre-
tary Day.
The navigation bureau of the navy de-
partment is receiving reports of the results
of the efforts being made at the various
recruiting stations to obtain men for the
navy. So far, the Columbia is about 200
men short of her full quota of 402, but it is
hoped that the necessary men, mostly fire.
men and coal passers, can be secured in
the course of a very few days.
HARBOR DEFENSES
Lieut. Very, the representative of the
Howell Torpedo company, has submitted
to the war department a proposition to
supplement the defenses of the larger coast
ports, such as New York and Boston, by
equpping a number of light-draft steam
launches with torpedo outfits. He urges
that by the full use of this means of de-
Tense the harbors may be kept open for
commerce up to the last moment, which
ha he "a ca reliance nlaced
on the ordinary fixed-mine torpedoes.
These torpedoes have range of about two
miles, and start off at a speed of 30 knots.
If the boats from which they are dis
charged are properly sheltered, as pro-
posed by Lieut.. Very, it is believed they
would be valuable adjuncts to the steam
er's defense. The government, however, has
heretofore regarded automobile torpedoes
as proper instruments for naval use and is
scarcely disposed to change its policy at
this date.
A good deal of encouragement was Gre
ated at the navy department today by
report from the Capitol that majority of
the naval affairs committee is disposed to
substitute six battleships for the three
provided for in the pending naval appro-
priation bill. This number is supposed to
represent ABOUT Ine normal WORKING ca
pacity of the three shipbuiding concerns
in this country that are able at present to
undertake the construction of battleships.
The fortifcations board began its ses-
sions today in the war department. The
proceedings are guarded zealously against
publication.
MOVEMENTS OF WARSHIPS
The gunboat Annapolis has started home
from the West Indies, leaving Curacao yes
terday directly for Key West. She has a
number of apprentices aboard, being a
training ship, and it is not yet determined
whether she will be attached to the squad
ron. The torpedo boat Winslow arrived at
Key West yesterday. The steel tug Samo-
set arrived at Beaufort yesterday morning
and proceeded Immediately on her was to
Key West in the afternoon. The torpedo
boat Foote also coaled from Charleston for
Jacksonville yesterday.
The tug Leydon arrived at League island
today. She will pick up coal lighter and
tow it to Key West for use in coaling the
squadron. The Fern arrived at Key West
last evening
ARMS FOR SOLDIERS
representative of the Winchester Arms
company was in conference with General
Miles and General Flagler at the office of
the bureau of ordnance of the army with
view to examining various patterns of ri
fles made by this concern and of ascer-
tanning how speedily these could be fur
nished in large quantities in case of emer-
gency. Samples of two of the latest pat
terms o fthirty calber rifles, one of Win
chester and the other a Lee straight-pull
gun, We're examined. No contracts were
made, but the conference led to full un-
derstanding. The representatives of the
Winchester company stated that the pres
ent commercial demand, particularly that
connected with the klondike excitement
kept the company at its full capacity, but
that government orders would be filled
tions. The company has force of 22o0 men
and by working ten hours a day with sew
eral shifts it is believed that the govern
ment could be supplied with rifles al very
rapid rate. A large number of Winchesters
could be supplied at once.
Bids We're opened in the quartermas ster
generals office today for Transporting
some of the artillery batteries that are to
man the fortifications works recently COM
pleted
MONEY FOR MILITIA
Inspired by the war sentiment prevailing
In many parts of the country, officers of
state military organizations have been in
quiring of the department as to allotments
of arms, ammunition, etc. There is an an