The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-08
DAY OF DEVELOPMENTS
SEVERAL SENSATIONS DIVIDED THE
INTEREST At WASHINGTON
Cannon National Defense Bill the
Most Important, With Spain's
Back-DOwn in the Matter of Gen.
Lees Recall a Close Second
Money Is on Hand.

crowded one upon the other today, by
far the most sensational was a reso-
luton offered in the house by Mr..
Cannon, providing a national defense
fund of $4,000, 600. to be expended at
the discretion Of the president This
measure gained an added interest whet
the fact developed that it was the re-
suit OF a conference to which the presi-
dent himself was a party.
AS for Gen. Lees case, the news of
the satisfactory ending of the incident,
through the withdrawal of the sugges-
ton by Spain, was expected as soon as
1t was noted that a loophole had been
left open through the failure to make
the complaint in anything like an Off
cial shape.
Some fear is expressed that the con-
sui general viii not find his post very
congenial now that he knows that he
Is an unwelcome guest in Havana but
the administration is relying upon his
devotion to the welfare of the Ameri-
cans in Cuba and American interests
generally, to submit his own personal
wishes to restraint and remain at his
post.
Late in the afternoon Senior du Bose.
the Spanish charge, received a cipher
cable from the minister Of state at
Madrid, saying: You can disavow the
rumor that any official application has
been made for the recall of Gen. Lee
Lees Case.
This confirmed Mr. du Bosc's view
that misapprehension had occurred,
and that some intimation concerning
Gen. Lee had been construed into a re-
quest or demand for his recall which
Mr.. du Bose says, with positiveness,
was never intended
AS there has been no explanation. SO
far of the which tho
Introduction Of Mr.. Cannon's resolution,
it may be said that the money is want
ed primarily as an emergency fund. 1t
is said by officials who will have the
disposition of this treasure that it by
10 means follows, because congress
places such sum of money in the con-
troll of the president, that he will feel
bound to spend all of it.
Those who look for a wholesale pur-
chase Of war ships from the bargain
counters Of European builders are
likely to be disappointed. The navy
department at present is inclined to
make but one purchase of this kind,
at first at least, in the shape of a sub
stantial ronclad.
1t does desire to get possession of
several of the larger class of tor
pedo boat destroyers, such as the SokuI,
Of the Russian navy, vessels of 300
tons, able to keep the sea in bad
boats, and capable of enormous speed,
such as 80 knots. But such craft are
rot for sale at all times; they are built
to order generally, and could not be
procured in this manner In less than
six months from the date of contract
even in Europe unless special prices
were paid. There is no disposition on
the part Of the navy department to
lumber the navy with lot of unserv-
lceable craft in a spasm of fear, but
rather to get few of the best YES
sells to be had.
For the Army.
There are things that are wanted
much more than warships in case of
trouble, and the army shares these
needs, SO that a fair proportion of the
$50,000,000 will have to go to the war
department. These are abundant sup
plies of shot and shell and powder.
The army is as short as the navy Of
these essential stores
1t has been found, greatly to the
qualification of the army officers, that
there will not be nearly as much diff
ficulty in securing modern arms for the
army, even on a war footing, as was
anticipated. This is because certain
private gunmakers have just brought
out type Of rotating rife, very similar
in general feature to the army rife,
using the same cartridge, and with
about as great rapidity of fire. The
plants of these companies are SO ex-
tensive that they could turn the arms
out very rapidly, so that the Spring
fields now in the hands of the militia
could be replaced in short order.
In connection with the subject of
| purchasing naval ammunition, it is
| said that no contracts have been closed
| but the department has informed it
| self fully as to how speedily it could
secure every kind of ammunition and
| supplies in case of an emergency. This
| inquiry has shown, in general way,
that the facilities of this country are
ample to meet any demand for powder,
projectiles, cartridge cases, primers and
| fuses
These supplies are not kept In stock,
however, and in case of emergency
they would have to be made on Or
ders. 1t is said that the capacity of
| one firm for turning out the brown
! prismatic powder required by the navy
is 100000 pounds a month, which
would more than meet the demands
| of a conflict.
Plenty of Powder.
While no exact estimate has been
made of the share Of the $50 900, 900 ap-
| preparation to be allotted to ammunl-
ton, 1t is estimated that at least s10,-
VVU,UVU WOulQ De SO assigned, owing to
| the enormous cost of refilling the am
munition chests of the warships now In
service. At present there is not enough
| ammunition on hand for one refilling,
| beyond that now on board. A single
! refilling costs $3,000,0 ,000
| Each first-class battleship carries 400
| tons of ammunition. With the amounts
! on hand, and the refills which are be-
ing calculated on, the navy would have
| if the ships were called into frequent
action. Naval officers explain that
refill will last through several engage
ments, owing to the limit of endurance
! of men while lin action. If the guns
could be worked constantly a refill
would be exhausted in one heavy en-
gagement, but the guns, as we'll as the
men, have their limit Of endurance.
These considerations have all been TAX
en- into account in the rough general
estimates that have been made as to
the refills requisite for suita BILE equip
ment of the American fleet
Money Hand.
The appropriation will not involve
the issue Of bonds This announcement
was made by the treasury officials, who
stated that the treasury was amply
prepared to meet any demands that will
be made upon it. On Feb. the cash
In the treasury amounted to $3.50, ,571. .566.
of which 04.063,9 ,971 was gold $511 ,S5s.- :
S34 silver; $107. .564, ,95S in paper currency
and $33OS4,002 in disbursing officers,
| balances. etc The net availa hIa oosI,