Evening journal., 1898-03-08
CoNsuL GENERAL LEE.

It was noted that a loophole had been
left open through the failure to make
the complaint in anything like an Off
cial shape.
Some fear is expressed that the con-
sui general will not find his post very
congenlal now that he knows he is an
unwelcome guest in Havana but the
administration is relying upon his de-
votion TO the welfare of the Americans
I'm Cuba and American interests gener-
ally to submit his own personal wishes
20 restraint and remain at his post.
AS there has been no explanation so
far OF the purpose which prompted the
Introduction OF Mr.. Cannon's resolution
Il may be said that the money Is wanted
primarily as an emergency fund. IL Is
said by officials who will have the dis
position OF this treasure that II by no
means follows because congress places
such a sum OF money in the control OF
the president that he will feel bound 10
spend all of 1t. Those who look for
wholesale purchase OF warships from
the bargain counters OF European build
ers are likely 20 be disappointed.
The navy department at present is
inclined 70 make but one purchase OF
this kind, at first az any rate, In the
shape of a substantial ironclad. It does
desire TO get possession of several OF
the larger class OF torpedo boat de-
Btroyers, such as the Sokul Of the Rus
sian navy. vessels Of 300 tons, able to
keep the sea in bad weather. a weak
point with our own boats, and capable
Of enormous speed, such as 80 knots.
The offers of ships to the navy de-
partment are now assuming definite
and formal shape. Yesterday Secretary
Long received call from A. Il. Lane,
representing the Maxim -Nordcnfeldt
company and the agent for several
war vessels now nearing completion In
large foreign shipyards These include
two cruisers of the type Of the Gin
cinnati. which are designed to be q
knot vessels. and two ironclads of IL
knots which would be called third class
battlcships under our rating These are
now open to purchase, and II is under.
stood that Mr.. Lanes visit was in thi.
connection.
The two cruisers are $50 feet long. 4.
feet beam and 16 feet draft. They car
~ 6-inch and 4 5-inch guns and an
auxiliary battery. The ironclads hav.
l8% Inch belt OF harveyized steel
Their armament is ? 10-inch guns. q
inch, ? 6-inch. 6-pounders and 4
Founders. Mr.. Lane regards these ship
as first class In every particular, al
they We're designed on modern princi
Piles and are being built by one of tn
leading shipbuilding firms of Europe
They are well along toward completion
and all four il is said, could be in com
mission within a few months.
There are things that are wante'
much more than warships in case o
trouble. and the army shares thes
needs, SO that a fair proportion OF tn
S50.0OO,O00 would have TO go to the wa
department. These are abundant sup
plies of shot and shell and powder. Tn
army is as short as the navy of thes
essential stores. 1t has been found
greatly to the qualification OF the arm
officers, that there will not be nearl
as much difficulty in securing moder
arms for the army even on a war foot
ing. as WIS anticipated.
This is because certain private gun
makers have just brought out a typ
Of repeating rife very similar in genera
features to the army rifle, using IN
same cartridge of 80 gauge and wit
about as great rapidity of fire. Th
plants Of these companies are so eNter
sive that they could turn the arms OF
very radily. SO that the Springfield
the hands of the militia could be rs
placed in short order.
While no exact estimate has bee
made of the share OF the $50 600 900 al
preparation 20 be allotted 10 ammun
tion, II is roughly estimated that
least $40 100000 would be so assigne
owing 10 the enormous cost Of rehllir