Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-03-10
HOW TO SPEND MONEY.
U. S. HAS NOT BOUGHT wARSHlPs YET.


Washington, March 9.--The featur,
Of the days events was the prompt.
tude with which the Senate passed tn,
House bill authorizing an appropriation
of S50.0O0,000 for the national defense
and the haste with which II was put
through the formal proceedings, en-
crossed and signed by the President
While the matter has been considered
1t can be stated that the fund has not
yet been allotted among the various
branches of the government service
Each OF these had prepared roughly
and tentatively an estimate OF the
funds II could dispose of To advantage,
but upon looking over the ground, the
President concluded that II would be
well perhaps to avoid making the al
lotment until the necessity became APP
parent. The reason back OF this IL that
the sum that can be prolitably spent
for warships cannot even DE guessed NJ
with any approximation to accuracy
Just now. As the ships are to be FIRST
choice In the steps for defense. until
their cost is ascerttined 1t Is not pos
sible to divide the remainder Of the APP
Precipitation among the other branches
of the military and navnl services.
The secretary of the navy IL making
every effort to secure from our naval
attaches and by diplomatic officers
abroad all Information obtainable re-
specting the number of ships building.
their price and other data. This does
not necessarily interfere with the ex-
ecution OF the plans uonflded to Capt
Brownson. who sailed for southampton
today. but rather promises to assist
him materially in making speed with
his Inquiries.
Up to this moment not only has the
United States government bought no
warships, but II has not even secured
an option on one. There are many APP
plications coming to the department
from persons and firms who desire to
sell ships to the government, but In
most Of these cases one Of two fatal
Obstacles are encountered to the con-
summation of the sales Either the
craft offered Is not suitable for naval
needs, or the date OF possible compile
tion is SO distant. from three months
upward, that II canot be regarded as
worthy of purchase to meet an emer-
gency
There is less difficulty experienced in
securing tenders of war material such
as shot and shell and powder. and the
navy department has almost assured
itself of an abundant supply of certain
kinds of smokeless powder at short no
tice. The officials OF the department
are In daily correspondence by mail
and telegraph with agents OF ammunl-
ton houses, and besides are now fully
acquainted with the plans OF domestic
powder-mukcrs for culnrglng their
plants to meet an emergency.
The representatives of the armor-
making firms are in consultation with
the department steadily, generally rela-
1--WE TO the supply of gun forgings, and
such material for use In the gun shops
here and Mt Waterville. but the nrmor
II receiving little attention. as the ar
mor-makers report that they cannot
undertake by any known agency to
turn out such armor as would be re-
quired for modern battleshlp In less
than seven months, for the reason that
tempering and face hardening cannot
be hastened without destroying the
value of the armor. Thus, II has been
demonstrated to the navy department.
II Will not be possible to make the ar
NOR for the superb battleshps, three
N number. now building at Newport
News and Mt Cramps. and at the Union
iron works In San Francisco, in time
10 render ships far better II is claimed,
IMAM any offered from abroad for sale,
available Tor any emergency that may
arise this year.
Inc statement was made at the navy
department today that the report Of
tho Maine court of inquiry probably
would come to the department some
time next week. 1t did not appear.
however, that this statement was
founded on any direct report from the
court but was rather an estimate
based upon the progress so far made
as revealed by the change of methods
on the part of the court. II Is not ex-
pected that Lieutenant Commander
Mark. the Judge advocate OF the
court Will lHnxsa no
completed Its labors. as 1t il the GUS
tom for the Judge advocate to assist
N the preparation of the final report of
the court.
Many CONGRATULATIONS are coming to
the White House and the state depart
Went from all parts Of the country IN
on the patriotic spirit exhibited in deal
ing with the latest phases of the Gu
pan question. Most OF them are Off
ciai In character, but many are per-
sonally directed to the President.
Admiral Sicard has been authorized
70 enlist suitable men for the navy at
Key West If he can find the material
He reported that he had received some
applications from machinists and sea
men, and was Immediately given tho
power to take the men. The depart
ment is still striving vigorously to Sc
cure machinists, especially men who
Know now 10 run stationary engines.
'''h NAii w NultklN tnuEht now
70 run marine engines. and require
httie other training to make them
valuable aboard shin.
Official reports indicate that the au-
tonomy scheme projected for Porto
Rico has neen put into successful oper-
alton. THIS is interesting mainly he
cause OF resemblance be,ween the pro-
Ject and the plan which II is now
sought To put ~ place in Cuba The
news came In the shape OF the follow
ing report given out at the state de-
pnrtment: "a dispatch from tho
United States consul at San Juan.
Porto Rico, states that the Inaugural
ton of the cabinet and the ceremony
or declaring autonomy In effect I'm that
Island occurred on the nth ultima 10
he whole day was one OF great
manifestation of joy, and the whole
population seemed to be hapny over
the thought TINT home rule a last had
been granted Porto Rico"
The war department In arranging to
secure large supply of the most mod.
ern rifles, sufficient in time of emer-
gency to arm. II force of 100000 men.
The need of these modern guns has
long been apparent but Congress has
not shown disposition tn supply any
reserve of rifles for use by n volunteer
force In time of emergency. Now, how
ever an adequate supply OF the most
enective rifles will be among the uses
to which the war department will put
Its share OF the defense fund.
II was stated by high officials OF the
department today that no board was
necessary TO inquire into the merits Of
the various guns on the market. but
thnt the dem mont Nypnil tupt, Ia, III,