Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-10
Government Reaching Out for
Means of Strengthening Forces.
BRoWNsoN HAS SAILED.
He Will Secure Information as
to Available Ships.
1t is Thought That Court of Inquiry Re-
port May Be Received Next Week
The Montgomery at Havana.

washington, Mafcn Sine feature VI
the days events was the promptitude
with which the senate passed the house
bill carrying the appropriation of $780,
OOO 900 for the national defense, and the
haste with which it was put through
the formal proceedings, engrossed and
signed by the president.
While the matter has been considered,
it can be stated that the fund has not
yet been allotted among the various
branches Of the government service.
Each of these had prepared tentatively
an estimate of the funds it could dis
pose of to advantage, but upon looking
over the ground, the president concluded
that 1t would be well to avoid making
the allotment until necessity became ap-
parent. The sum that can be profita-
bly, spent for warships cannot even be
guessed at with any approximation as
to accuracy just now, and the ships are
to be first choice in the steps for de-
Tense
The secretary of the navy is making
every effort to secure from our naval
attaches and diplomatic officers abroad,
all information obtainable respecting
the number Of ships building, their price
and other data This promises to as
sist Capt. Brownson, who sailed Tor
Southampton today, materially in max
ing speed with his inquiries. Up to
this moment not only has the United
States government bought no warship,
but it has not even secured an option
on one. There are many applications
coming from persons and firms who
desire to sell ships to the government,
but in most of these cases. either the
craft offered is not suitable for naval
A1,o do 10
| is so distant, that it cannot be regarded
as worthy Of purchase to meet an emer-
gency
There is less difficulty experienced in
securing tenders of war material, such
as shot, shell and powder, and the navy
department has assured itself of an
abundant supply Of certain kinds OF
smokeless powder abroad at short no.
tice The officials of the department are
| in daily correspondence by mail and
| telegraph with agents of ammunition
! houses, and besides, are now fully ac-
| qlainted with the plans of domestic
| powder makers for enlarging their
| plants to meet an emergency. The rep
CesentativeS of armor making firms are
in consultation with the department
steadily, generally relative to the sup
ply of gun forgings and such material
for use in the gun shops here. and at
Watervliet, but the question of afmor
is receiving little attention, as the ar
mor-makers report that they cannot un-
dertake to turn out such armor as
would be required for a modern battle
ship in less than seven months. 1t has
been demonstrated to the navy depart
ment that it will not be possible to make
the armor for the superb battleships,
three in number, now building at New
port News and at Cramps, and at the
Union Iron Works in San Francisco, in
time to render these ships available for
any emergency that may arise this
year.
The statement was made at the navy
department today that the report of the
Maine court of inquiry probably would
come to the department 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 pro-
gress so far made, as revealed by the
change of methods on the part of the
court
Many congratulations are coming to
the White House, and the state depart
ment from all parts of the country upon
the patriotic spirit exhibited in dealing
with the latest phases Of the Cuban
question. Most of them are official in
character, but many are personally di-
rected to the president.
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 APP
plications from machinists and seamen,
and was given the power to take the
men. The department is still striving
vigorously to secure machinists, espe-
cially men who know how to run sta
tionary engines.
OFFICIAL reports indicate that the au-
has been put into successful operation.
This is interesting mainly because of
the resemblance between the project
and the plan which it is now sought to
put in play in Cuba.
A dispatch from the United States
consul at San Juan, Porto Rico, states
that the Inauguration of the cabinet and
the ceremony of declaring autonomy in
effect in that island, occurred March II.
He says the day was one Of great mani
festation Of joy.
The war department is arranging to
secure a large supply Of the most mod
ern rifles, sufficient in time of emer-
gency to arm 100000 men. The need
of these modern guns has long been
apparent.
It was stated by high officials of the
department today, that no board was
necessary 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, 1t is said.
are ample within the United States to
turn out rifles of the most approved pat
tern, as fast as the government wants
them 1t is not unlikely, however, that
the demand will require the army to
turn from the -Jorgensen rifle now
in use, and adopt, in part. at least, one
of the American-made guns
Gen Miles strongly favors the
Straight pull gun" 1t is of American
make and has been adopted by the
British government as the standard
arm, a million being now in the hands
Of British soldiers. Gen. Miles recon-
mended its adoption IS years ago. when
a member GN board for the choice OF
a rifle, and his view will nave much
weight. This gun Is used by the United
States navy, and this is being urged as
another point in its favor. as the re-
serve supply would be available for
either branch Of the government SER
vice.
Attention is also being given to sup
plies 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 for
which the facilities are not fully up to