The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-10

possible completion 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 expert
enced in securing tenders of war material,
such as shot and shell and powder, and the
Navy Department has almost assured itself
of an abundant supply of certain kinds of
smokeless powder abroad at short notice
The officials of the department are in daily
correspondence by mail and telegraph with
agents of ammunition houses, and besides
are now fully acquainted with the plans OF
domestic powder makers for enlarging thefr
plants to meet an emergency.
The representatives of the arr1or making
firms are in consultation with the depart
ment steadily, generally relative to the sup
ply of gun forgings and such material for
use in the gunshop here and at Watervliet,
but the question of armor is receiving little
attention, as the armor makers report that
they cannot undertake by any known
agency to turn out such armor as would be
required for a modern battle ship in less
than seven months, for the reason that tenn
pering and face hardening cannot be
FASTENED without destroying the value of
the armor. Thus 1t has been demonstrated
to the Navy Department that it will not be
possible to make armor for the superb bat
tie ships, 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 available for any
emergency that may arise this year.
The War Department is arranging to Sc
cure a large supply of the most modern
rifles, sufficient in time OF emergency to
arm force Of 100000 men. The need of these
modern guns has long been apparent, but
Congress has not shown a disposition to
supply any reserve of rifles for use by
volunteer force in time of emergency. Now,
however, an adequate supply of the most
effective rifles will be among the first uses
to which the War Department will put it's
share of the defense fund
1t was stated by high officials of the de-
partment to-day that no board was neces-
sary to inquire into the merits of the va
rious gunseon the market, but that the de-
partment would turn to the best sources of
supply. These, 1T is said. are amply within
the United States to turn out rifles of the
most approved pattern as fast as the gov
ernment wants them. 1t is not unlikely,
however, that the demand will require the
army to turn from the Krag-Jorgensen
rifle, now in use and adopt, in part at least,
one of the American-lnade guns.
Gen. 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 being now in
the hands Of British soldiers. General Miles
recommended its adoption eighteen years
ago, when member of a board for the
choice of rife. He continues 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
other point in its favor, as the reserve sup
ply would be available for either branch of
the government service. The Ordnance Bu-
reau of the War Department has control of
the letting of contracts OF rifles small arms,
etc. The officials Of Sthe bureau observe
great reticence, feeling that the publication
of what they are doing would prejudice the
interests OF the government. But the clos
ing of contracts is at most a question of
time for the heads of the department 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 that orders can be
filled without delay, and about the only
branch of ordnance on which the facilities
are not fully up to an emergency demand
are those for heavy fortifcation guns.
Senor Mendonca, the Brazilian minister,
said o-day that he had received no infor-
nation as to the reported negotiations to-
wards the purchase of Brazilian war ships,
now in course of con. truction in foreign
yards. In other official qu lrters the impress
sion is growing that the,e is better pros
pect Of securing ships now building for Ar
gentine 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 Arm
strong yards, two ironclads at La Seine,
France, and three torpedo boat catchers at
Stettin, Germany. Considerable payments
have been made on these, and they have be-
come 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 a ship
unless the other sold at the same time, is
erroneous.
Admiral Sicard has been authorized to en-
list suitable men for the navy at Key West
If he can find the material. He reported
that he had received some applications from
diately given the power to take the men.
The department is still striving vigorously
to secure machinsts, especially men who
know how to run stationary engines. These
men can be quickly taught how to run ma
rine engines, and require little other train
ing n f1aISa fhpi11 IIlo bja ahoord chipa