The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-08
THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS.

,F,~4' ny. NJ
There are things that are wanted
much more than warships in case of
trouble. and the army shares these
needs, so that fair proportion of the
$50 100000 would 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 difficulty in securing
modern arms for the army, even on
war footing, as was anticipated. This
is because certain private gunmakers
have just brought out type of repeat
ing rifle very similar In general features
to the army rifle, using the same cart
ridge of 80 gauge, and with about as
great rapidity of fire. The plants of
these companies are so extensive that
they could turn the arms out very
rapidly, so that the Springflelds in the
hands of the militia could be replaced
in short order.
In connection with the subject of the
purchasing of naval ammunition 1t is
said that no contracts have been closed,
but the department has inforrved itself
fully as to how speedily it cHlld secure
every kind of ammunition and supplies
in case of emergency. This inquiry has
shown in a general way that the IA
cilities of this country are ample to
meet any demand for powder projec-
tiles, cartridge cases, primers, fuses,
etc. These supplies are not kept In
stock, however, and in case of emer-
gency they would have to be made on
orders.
While no exact estimate has been
made Of the share of the $5O,OOO,O00 ap-
preparation to be allotted to ammuni-
tion, it is roughly estimated that at
least $1O,000,OOO would be so assigned,
owing to the enormous cost of refilling
the ammunition 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 reflling costs $4,000, 600.
The appropriation of $5000O,000 will
not involve the issue of bonds. This an
nouncement was made by the treasury
officials, who stated that the treasury
wSs amply prepared to meet any de-
mands that will likely be made upon
it. On Feb. 1 the cash in the treasury
amounted to $S56,571, ,766, Of which $2O4.-
O63.971 was gold, $5l1, 1858, 1874 silver $1O7.-
564,95S in paper currency and $33 0S4,00
in disbursing officers balances, etc. The
net available cash on hand, above all
amounts to 1926, So, ,2O3.
The decision of the navy department
concerning the sending of ships to
Cuba was made in the following brief
statement posted by the bureau of
navigation: Montgomery will relieve
the Fern at Havana. Fern will carry
provisions to Mttanzas and Sa qua la
Grande." This Inclusion was reached
after conferences between the officials
of the state and navy departments. The
Fern is dispatch boat, without heavy
armament or guns, although she be-
longs to the navy and is technically a
naval vessel. AS she comes as near
being a transport as anything in our
naval service her selection will accord
with the Spanish suggestion that
transport or merchant ship undertake
the carriage of relief supplies.
The following telegram was received
yesterday at the state department from
Consul General Lee, at Havana: Per
sons should be cautioned not to send
to private parties marked
care consul general. Box came recently
so marked which was found to contain
jewelry, bric-a-brac, etc. Custom
house properly demands duties on such
shipments, and the steamer should de-
mand freight"