The San Francisco call., 1898-03-26
ent Continues to Strengthen the Coast
 Notifications.
Big Guns Arriving for the Pre- SidiO and Forts. Around
 the Bay.
Shipped for the HiJ h. Power Cannon.

It Is considered that San Francisco, in the event of war between the United States and Spain, would be remote from the scene of actual conflict, yet the Government is taking no chances on this account. Preparations for the defense of this harbor are going for ward with vigor. Immense quantities of ammunition have been delivered and the Ordnance Bureau is advised that a further supply is on the rail due to ar rive in this city early next week.
 Another 12-inch gun for the Fort Point Notifications arrived yesterday, and is now at the Southern Pacific freight yards at Fourth and Townsend streets. The immense gun weighs fifty nine tons On account of it's weight it cannot be taken over the streets of San Francisco to it's appointed place on the Presidio reservation. To-day the Quar- termaster's Department will enter into a contract with some individual or firm to transport the ordnance by water to a point near the works. From the land ing place near the battery 1t will be hauled up the hill.
 This latest 12-inch breech-loading rifle will be mounted on a disappearing carriage. The ponderous carriage, which weighs 180 tons, also arrived yes- terday. The emplacement for the gun is on the extreme right of the d2-inch battery near the left of the 10-inch bat tery of disappearing guns. Another rifle of the 12-inch pattern is on the rail billed for San Francisco, and should arrive in few days. It may be sent over to Lime Point to re-enforce the Fort Baker battery.
 Mortons drays were busy yesterday conveying projectiles for the mcrtars and high power rifles to the PreSidio magazines. The ammunition comes from the Watertown and Watervliet arsenals.
 To-day the Quartermasters Depart ment will receive bids for twenty mill lion pounds of coal.
 General William R. Shafter, com- manding the department of California, yesterday issued the following orders:
 Pursuant of authorization from the Acting Secretary of War, a class will be formed at the Presidio of San Fran cisco, Cal, consisting of two men from each troop of cavalry and each com pany of infantry serving In this de- partment, for instruction in signaling, under the immediate charge of the signal officer of the department. The class will be stationed at the Presidio, to which point the detail from the com- panies at Benicia barracks will be sent at once This detail will be rationed and quartered with one of the infantry companies at the post. The men of the signal class will be selected by their trooptand company commanders and will be sent to report to the command ing officer of the Presidio on Monday. the 28th inst, at such hour as he may designate.
 First Lieutenant Frank Greene, sig nal corps, will make such Journeys as may be necessary between this city and the Presidio, and return, and will continue the daily instruction of the class at such hour as may be designat- ed by the commanding officer of the Presidio.
 On the 17th inst orders were issued relieving First Lieutenants Francis E. Lacey .Jr. and Hiram McL Powell. First Infantry, with the detachment of enlisted men under their charge, from duty in connection with the progress sive military map ordered by the Sec retary of War, and directing them to Yesterday the order was so modified as to direct Lieutenants Lacey and Pow ell. with the detachment of enlisted men. to proceed to the Presidio by steamer from Santa Barbara, Cal. The quartermaster's department will fur nish transportation for the party and for such public property, including animals, as may be with it.