The evening times., 1898-09-08
EUROPEAN BATTLESHIPS
Great Naval Activity in Trans.
/ atlantic Countries.
THE PROGRESS OF RUSSIA
An American Shfpbuilder Tells of
Conditions cn the Eastern Conti-
nent-The Government of the Czar
Is Constructing It's Own Warships
and HuiIdine It's Locomotives.

New York, Sept S.-"The war vessel of
the future will be the battleship-with
heavier battery, greater speed and great
er radius of action than have yet been
attained"
This is the opinion of Irving NJ. Scott,
head of the Union Iron Works, of San
Francisco, which built the Pacific Won
der, the battleship Oregon. Mr. Scott re-
turned on the Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse,
yesterday, from a three months business
tour in Europe, during which he visited
the great shipyards of Great Britain,
France, Germany and Russia, and in the
last-named country consulted with min
listers and heads of departments on vast
enterprises which widening civilization is
opening up in the East He was accom-
panied by his son, Lawrence Irving Scott,
who by the way, Is a veritable compendi-
um of statistical knowledge in the busi-
ness which has made his fathers for
tune.
Mr. Scott intimated when he sailed, last
June, that he hoped 10 obtain contracts
from European powers for new war
ships. He was not successful.
Europe will continue to build her own
war vessels" he said with the excep-
tion of a battleship and a cruiser ordered
by Russia from the Cramps last May, |
do not expect to see American-built ves-
sells flying foreign battle flags.
'In the European shipyards | found
tremendous activity and noted the con-
stant introduction of improved applian-
ces Each country naturally will desire to
build its own warships. The Oregons
splendid performance created great SEN
sation in Europe. but she marks only
step in advance of old conditions. The
next series of vessels Will overshadow her
in every particular Personally | was
not surprised at her record breaking
trip from San Francisco to the West In
dies. She was built as fine as human
skill and material would permit. 1t is
solely question of coal capacity.
What impression was made by the
sweeping character of the American ma
val victories?" he was asked.
Largely disgust at the poor efforts Of
the Spaniards. said Mr.. Scott. 'EurO-
pean naval officers were ast0undei at the
slight damage sustained by our ships.
There is a marked increase in respect for
American gunnery, too. In an English pa
per last week l read an article on the
necessity for greater target practice and
suggestions as TO its establishment. The
| article ended with the statement that
with the adoption of these plans we
| might hope in time to shoot as well as
| the Americans.
| Mr.. Scott had many opportunities for
| learning the views of European diplomats
OF the Philippine question
| Beyond doubt" he said, The powers
would be more embarrassed il America
| lets go of the islands now than If they
are held Diplomats are relieved because
Ia -,la a-in EaaT
the islands under direct control, they be-
| lieve the interests of all the countries
| would suffer severely, and serious com
! plications would probably arise"
| I'VE do not understand Russia" he
said. ''She has an immense industrial
| development under way-a tremendous
! peaceful revolution. Accounts of convict
| camps in Siberia and official cruelty in
St. Petersburg have given many the idea
that Russia is barren waste of igno-
| rance and despotism and poverty Rus
| sa today is making giant strides toward
| Industrial supremacy. She is making her
own armor plate and steel, building her
own locomotives and warships, and forg-
ing her own guns.
MY visit to Russia chiefly concerne
the development of trade that viii follow
the completion of the TranS-Siberian
Railroad. This will open up a vast com
nlerce. and by the logic of geography il
will belong to the Pacific coast. We vii
be only $500 miles away. less than one
half the distance of any other great man.
ufacturing center. Lines of communica
tion must be opened between the teTm''
nus of the railroad and the western Goa 3
of America and the shipping necessary
led me into consultation with the Ru 'siar
: officials. | can say that the result ha:
been satisfactory. A continent is TO b'
developed industrially within few years
and the effect on the trade and commerce
} of the world will be tremendous.