Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-05

Floriona. which are building at La Seinne,
Toulon. These are small but powerful lit
tie battleshipS. Their tonnage is only
S,l62, but they carry four 10-inch rifles
IN turretS in addition to two 6-inch and
iour 4.I-1nch guns, and a good secondary
battery. Their coal endurance, however.
is small, and their forte would seem to
be coast defense operations, or cruising
near base Of supplies.
Inc London reports also caused comment
at the state department. In some quar-
ters the feeling was expressed that pend
ing the finding of a court of inquiry on
case having the international phases of
the Maine explosion. the obligations of
neutrality were as strongly imposed on
Great Britain and Brazil as in time of
war. The precedents apply only to a con-
dition of war, and not to conditions which
may eventually lead to war. In the Ge-
neva award, however, unfrendly acts by
Great Britain prior to the breaking out
of the rebellion constituted part of the
case on which heavy damages were award
ed against her. But. as a general rule,
foreign governments are free to sell war
ships, either directly or through their citi-
Zens, up to the actual date of hostilitics.
Matters were very quiet, at least exter-
nally, in the war department to-day. There
was a strong indisposition to discuss the
proposition to resume possession of Dry
Tortusas. but the officials did not hesitate
to declare that only normal movements
were going on. So, also. it was unknown
officially that the troops at Salt Lake are
being reviewed and it was said that, if this
were so. it could be nothing more than the
usual periodical inspections required by
the regulations. As for the reported orders
to inspection officers at Bethlehem, to be
ha
Captain McNutt and Lieutenant Bennett,
who have been on inspection duty for sew
erai years past, are not to be disturbed
and have had no such orders as are re-
ported from Bethlehem.
1t is probable that the Olympia, flagship
Of the Asiatic squadron, and the Peerless
Queen, of the cruisers will come home TO
San Francisco. The navigation bureau has
this movement under consideration and
in view OF the fact that the ship has been
three years away from navy yard, en-
gagged IN hard cruising service, even If
there were no other reason, it is likely that
me ORDER Will be given. The Olympia is
protected cruiser of extraordinary speed
and endurance. with a battery strong
enough to overpower almost anything short
OF battleship. and speed enough TO run
does not care to fight.
The torpedo boat WinSlow at Norfolk
has completed her repairs and will join the
tiotilla at Key West as soon as the gale on
the coast blows itself out and makes the
run down safe.
The war department, it is understood will
endtaVor TO induce the treasury officials
to return the Tortugas island to its juris-
diction but at the treasury department it
IS said that 10 request has yet been made
upon the secretary of the treasury for the
re-transfer. Should the request be made, it
is stated that il would be complied with at
once Some years ago this island, then
under the control of the war department,
was turned over TO the treasury depart
nent for use as quarantine station, with
the stipulation that it would be re-trans-
ferred at any time upon request. Since
then. the government has established on
Tortugas one of the most complete quar-
antine stations in the country. This fact
however, would not even be considered
should the war department need it for its
own purposes. Possession. it is said would
be given within forty-eight hours
In its present defenseless condition, 1t Is
pointed out. Dry Tortugas is a positive
source of danger, as it could be occupied
by an enemy as a base of naval and mil
itary operations. The most essential feat
ure of its defense would be the moving of
pIuoM IoqIeq su} sssql qlIM pue SUM
give one OF the best protected roadsteads
in Southern waters. The main defenses
are on Tortugas. meaning Turtle, island.
and occupy practically the entire island.
although 4 small, narrow coral reef sweeps
around it, affording additional shelter The
fort is known as Fort Jefferson. 1t is a
three story brick structure. with case
inches thick. The garrison quarters are
located in these easements, the old pIan
being to place the artillery in the upper