The times., 1898-09-09
EUROPEAN BATTLESHIPS
Great Naval Activity in Trans.
atlantic Countries.
THE PROGRESS OF RUSSIA
An American sbfpbufIdcr Tells of
nent-The Government of the Czar
LIS Constructing Its Own Warships
and building las Locomotives.

New York, Sept S.-"The war vessel of
the future will be the battleship-with
heavier battery, greater speed and great
er radius Of action than have yet been
attained"
This is the opinion of Irving NJ. Scott,
head of the Union Iron Works, of San
Francisco, which built sne Pacific Won
de-, the battleship Oregon. Mr. Scott re-
turned on the Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse
yesterday, from three months business
tour in Europe. during which he visited
the great shipyards of Great Britain.
France, Germany and Russia, and in the
Iast-named country consulted with min
listers and heads of departments on vast
enterprises which widening civilization is
opening up in the East. He was accom-
panied by his son. Lawrence Irving Scott,
who, by the way, is veritable compendi-
UNI of statistical knowledge in the busi-
ness which has made his fathers for
tune
Mr. Scott intimated when he sailed, last
June, that he hoped to obtain contracts
from European powers for new war
ships He was not successful.
Europe win continue to build her own
war vessels he said. with the excep-
ton of battleship and a cruiser ordered
by Russia from the Cramps last May, L
do not expect to see American-built ves-
sells flying foreign battle flags.
in the European shipyards 1 found
tremendous activity and noted the con-
stant introduction of improved applian-
ces Each country naturally will desire TO
build its own warships. The Oregon's
splendid performance created a great sem
sation in Europe, but she marks only a
step in advance of old conditions The
next series of vessels will overshadow her
IN every particular. Personally i was
not surprised at her record-breaking
trip from San Francisco to the West In
dies She was built as fine as human
skill and material would permit 1t Is
solely a question Of coal capacity.
What impression was made by the
sweeping character of the American na-
val victories?' he was asked
Largely disgust at the poor efforts OF
the Spaniards. said Mr.. Scott. Euro
pean naval officers were astoundei at the
slight damage sustained by our ships
There is a marked increase in respect for
American gunnery, too. In an Engllsa pa
per last week | read an article on the
necessity for greater target practice aid
suggestions as to its establishment The
article ended with the statement that
with the adoption of these plans we
might hope in time to shoot as well as
the Americans.
Mr.. Scott had many opportunities for
learning the views of European diplomats
or the Philippine question.
Beyond doubt he said, THE powers
would be more embarrassed if America
oe than If tn ~
are held Diplomats are relieved because
we hold Manila Unless America keeps
the islands under direct control, they be-
ueye the interests of all the countries
would suffer severely. and serious COM
plications would probably arise"
1--WE do not understand Russia, he
said. She has an immense industrial
DEVELOPMENT under way-a tremendous
peaceful revolution. Accounts of convict
camps In Siberia and official cruelty in
ST. Petersburg have given many the idea
that Russia Is a barren waste of igno-
rance and despotism and poverty. Rus
sia today IS making giant strides toward
industrial supremacy. She is making her
own armor plate and steel, building her
own locomotives and warships, and forg-
ing her own guns.
my visit to Russia chiefly concerned
the development of trade that will follow
the completion of the Trans-Siberian
Railroad. This will open up vast COM
merce, and by the logic of geography il
will belong to the Pacific coast. We will
be only 5000 miles away, less than one
half the distance of any other great man.
ufacturing center. Lines of communica-
tion must be opened between the term;-
nus of the railroad and the western coast
of America, and the shipping necessary
led me into consultation with the Russian
officials. I can say that the result has
been satisfactory. A continent is TO be
developed industriaIly within few years
and the effect on the trade and eommerce
OF the world will be tremendous.