The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-10
NARSH|PS ARE FIRST
Continued from First Page)

is interesting mainly because OF resem-
blance between the project and the plan
which II is now sought TO put in place in
Cuba The news came In the shape Of the
following report given out at the state
department:
"A dispatch from the United States con-
sui at Sun Juan, Porto Rico. states that
the inauguration of the cabinet and the
ceremony of declaring autonomy in effect
in that island occurred on the 18th ultimo
He says the whole day was one of great
manifestation of Joy. and the whole pop
ulation seemed to be happy over the
thought that home rule at last had been
granted Porto Rico"
NEW GUNS FOR THE ARMY.
The war department is arranging TO
secure large supply OF the most modern
rIhes sujcient In time OF emergency TO arm
4 force of 500 100000 men. The need OF
these modern guns has long been appar-
ent, but congress has not shown a dispo-
sition to supply any reserve OF rifles
for use by a volunteer force in time OF
emergency. Now. however, an adequate
supply of the most effective rifles viii
be among the first uses to which the war
department will put its share Of the de-
tense fund.
1t was stated by high officials OF the de-
partment today that no board was neces-
sary to inquire into them erits OF the
various guns on the market but that the
department would turn 10 the best source
Of supply. These, It is said. are ample
within the United States TO turn out
rifles Of the most approved pattern as
fast as the government wants them. II is
not unlikely however. that the demand
will require the army 90 turn from the
Krag-Jorgensen rife. now in use. and
adopt in part. at least. one Of the Ameri-
can made guns. General Miles strongly
favors the straight pull gun. II IS Of
American make and has been adopted by
the British government as the standard
arm. a million being now in the hands OF
British soldiers. General Miles recon-
mended its adoption eighteen years ago.
when A member OF a board for the choice
OF a rife. He continues his advocacy Of
it. and in view OF his ranking position IN
the army. his view will have much weight.
This gun is used by the United States
navy, and this is being urged as another
point In its favor. as the reserve supply
would be available for either branch %
the government service. The ordnance
bureau OF the war department has control
Of the letting OF contracts for rifles. small
arms. etc. The officials Of the bureau OBJ
serve great reticence. feeling that the
publication Of what they are doing would
prejudice the interests Of the government
But the closing Of contracts IS at most a
question Of time for the heads o. the de-
partments are agreed that these supplies
are the first TO be secured.
Like attention Is being given 20 supplies
OF powder. cartridges, etc. for the navy.
Those in authority say that orders can De
filed without delay. and that about the
only branch OF ordnance on which the IA
ciliues are not fully Up 20 an emergency
demand are those for heavy fortihcation
guns.
SOUTH AMERICAN SHIPS
Senior Mendoncs. the Brazilian minister.
said today that ne had received no infor-
nation ss 10 the reported negotiations
toward the purchase % Brazilian war
ships now in course Of construction IN
foreign yards. IN other Official quarters
the important question r. growing that
there = better prospect ~ securing ships
now building for Argentina and Chilli
Brazil has been active II late IN building
Up her navy and there s. doubt as %
her willingness 20 par wish any - her
ship. no1 building for her. These Include
two ironclaGA building a.; TIE Arrrrtroug
"a rds. tao ironclsdE ~ Ia SEINE. Franos I
ard three torpedo boat cstchefs az stef-
tin. Germany Considerable payments
have been made q these ard they have
become largely ths properly - Brazil 7,
r. claimed. however. that the report q a
treaty between Brazil ard CAM. which .
would prevent either from selling a ship
unless IRE other sold one a. TIE sane the /
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