Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-03-17

Senior du Bose, the Spanish charge, re-
ceived cipher cable from the minis
ter of state at Madrid, saying: you
can disav0W the rumOr that any Of
ficial#application has been made for
the recall of Gen. Lee" This con-
hrmed Senior du BOsc's view that a
misapprehension had occurred, and
that some intimation concerning Gen.
Lee had been construed into request
or demand for his recall, which Senior
du Bose
Says With Positiveness
was never intended. AS there has been
no explanation so far Of the purpose
which prompted tho Introduction of
Mr.. Cannon's resolution, it may be
said that the money is wanted pri-
marily as an emergency fund. 1t is
said by officials who will have the
disposition Of the treasure that it by
no means follows, because congress
places such n sum of money in the
control OF the president, that he will
feel bound TO spend it all. Those who
look for wholesale purchase of war
ships from the bargain counters OF
European builders are likely to be dis
appointed. The navy department at
present is inclined to make but one
purchase of this kind, at first at least,
IN the shape Of substantial iropclad.
1t does desire to get possession. of sew
eral of the larger class of torpedo
boat destroyers, such rs the Sokul, Of
the Russian navy, vessels of 800 tons,
able to keep the sea in bad weather.
weak point with our own boats. and
capable of enormous speed, such as
81 knots. But such craft are not for
sale at all times; they are built to
order generally and could not be pro-
duced 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 a lot of un-
serviceable craft in a spasm of fear,
but. rather, to get a few of the best
vessels to be had.
Many Ships Are offered.
The offer Of ships to the navy de-
partment are now assuming definite
and formal shape. During the dav
Secretary Long received call from
A. Il. Lane, representing the Maxim
Nordenfeldt company, and the agent
| for several war vessels now nearing
completion in large foreign shipyards.
There are things that are wanted much
more than warships in case of trouble
with Spain, and the army shares these
needs, so that fair proportion of the
$5O,OOO,OOO would have to go to the
war department. These are abundant
supplies of shot and shell and powder.
The army is as short as the navy Of
these essential stores. While no exact
estimate has been made of the share of
the $5O,O0O,O00 appropriation to be al
lotted to ammunition, it is estimated
that at least $1O,OOO,O0U would be so
assigned, owing to the enormous cost
OF refilling the ammunition chests of
the warships now in service. At pres
ent there is not enough ammunition
on hand for one reflling beyond that
now on board. y single retilling costs
$3,OO0,OOO.
1t is not felt at the navy department.
| that the people of the Montgomery are
taking any particular risks in going to
Havana at this time, for it is said that
even should hostilities break out, it is
= rule of honorable warfare that they
be given safe convoy out Of the
waters Of the hostile country. or
course Gen. Lee and the members Of
the court of inquiry ut Havana would
be equally exempt from molestation.
Without delay the officers of the
adjutant generals department. gave
the necessary orders for the recruiting
| Of the new artillery regiments author
lied by congress. The purpose is to
enlist such men as have had service
in the artillery wherever possible, and
no doubt is entertained that plenty OF
material Of the right kind will offer,