The record-union., 1898-03-08
SPAIN WITHDRAWS
HER OBJECTIONS.


rating. These are now open to pur-
chase, and it is understood that MI
Lanes visit was in this connection. The
two new cruisers are $50 feet long, u
feet beam and 16 feet draft. They carry
six 6-inch and four 5-inch guns and an
auxiliary battery. The ironclads have
1885 belt of harveyized steel. Their
armament is two 10-inch guns, four
5-inch. two 6-inch, six 6-pounders and
four 1-pounders. Mr.. Lane regards
these ships as first-class in every par
ticular. as they We're designed on mod
ern principles, and are being built by
one of the leading shipbuilding firms IN
Europe All four, it is said, could be
in commission within a few months.
They were originally designed for one
of the South American Republics, but
there is said to be no obligation which
would prev ant their acqui ';tion by the
United States. Mr.. Lane recently sold
the Navy Department sixty of the
Maxim Nordenfeldt rapidfire guns,
and his standing with officials is such
as to give his representations as TO
ships much weight.
There are things that are wanted
much more than warships in case OF
trouble, and the army shares these
needs, so that d fair proportion Of the
500 600, 600 would have to go to the
"a hI1rl la II
supplies of shot, 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 a war
footing, as was anticipated. This is
because certain private gunmakers
have just brought out a type of rotat-
ing rifle, very similar in general fea-
ture to the army rifle, using the same
cartridge of 30 gauge, and with about
as great a rapidity of fire. The plants
Of these companies are SO extensive
that they could turn the arms out very
rapidly. so that the Springfields in the
hands of the militia could be replaced
in short order.
In connection with the subject Of
purchasing ammunition, it is said that
no contracts have been closed, but thai
the Department has informed itself as
to how speedily it could secure every
kind o. ammunition and supplies in
case Of emergency. This inquiry mas
shown. in a general way, that the IA
.cilities of this country are ample to
meet any demand for powder, project
iles, cartridge cases, primers, fuse, etc.
These supplies are not kept in stock,
however, and in case of emergency
they would have to be made on orders.
1t is said that the capacity of one of
the factories turning out the brown
prismatic powder required by the navy
Is 500o,000 pounds per month which
would more than meet the demands of
a conflict.
While no estimate has been made Of
the share of the $50, ,090090 appropria
ton to be allotted to ammunition ii IS
estimated at least $10,000,G0o would be
so consigned. owing to the enormous
cost of refilling the ammunition chests
of the warships now in service. AZ
present there is not enough ammuni-
tion on hand for one refiIling beyond
that on board. A single reflling costs
S3o30,0 ,000 Each of the battleships car
ries 800 tons of ammunition. With the
amounts on hand, and the refills which
are being calculated on, the navy would
have an ample supply Of ammunition,
even if the ships We're called into fire.
quent action
Naval officers explain that refill viii
last through several engagements, ow-
ing TO the limit of endurance of men
while In action. If the gums could be
worked constantly, a refill would be
exhausted in one heavy engagement,
but the guns as we'll as the men, have
their limit Of endurance
These considerations have all been
taken into account in the rough esli-
mates that have been made as to the
refills requisite for the American fleet.
The appropriation of $Jo009.G0o for
the national defense, which provision
was made in the bin introduced in the
House to-day by Mr.. Cannon. would
not involve the issue of bonds. This
announcement was made by the Treas
ury officials, who stated that the
Treasury was amply prepared to meet
any demands that would likely be made
on 1t. on February 1st the cash on the
Treasury amounted TO SS.J6.511 .166, Of
which $204. .06i911 was gold. S511 SOS
SO silver. S1o1 .564 95S in paper curren-
cy ana So. .oSI COZ in disbursing off
GERS balances. etc. The net available
cash on hand above all amounted %
S..25. .5e4 o03.
II is not felt at the Navy Depart
ment that the people Of the Montgoiu-
cry are taking any particular risks IL
going into Havana ut this time. for At
Is said. should hostilities break out.
/; is rule of honora ble warfare that
they be given safe convoy out of the
waters Of the hostile country Of
course General Lee and the members
Of the Court OF Inquiry at Havana
would be equally exempt from molestl-
tion
The personnel Of the Montgomery is.
Commander. Converse. Lieutenant
Commander and Executive officer
Bald: Navigator. Lieutenant Hutch
ines: Watch officers. Lieutenant Field