The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-08
he 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
that the department has informed it
self as to how speedily 1t could secure
every kind of ammunition and supplies
in case of emergency. This inquiry has
shown. in general way, that the IA
cilities of this country are ample 10
meet any demand for powder, pro-
jectiles. cartridge cases. primers, fuse.
etc. These supplies are not kept in
stock, however, and in case of emerg
ency. they would have to be made on
orders. 1t is said the capacity of one
of the factories turning out the brown
prismatic powder required by the
navy is 100000 pounds per month,
which would more than meet the de-
mands of a conflict.
While no exact estimate has been
made of the share of the S50,000,000 APP
propriated to be allotted to ammuni-
tion. it is estimated at least s1o,0o0,ooo
would be so consigned, owing to the
enormous cost of refilling the ammuni-
ton chests of the warships now in
service. At present there is not enough
ammunition on hand for one refilling
beyond that on board. A single refill
ing costs So, ,000. 900. Each of the battle
ships carries 400 tons of ammunition.
With the amounts on hand and the re-
fills which are being calculated on, the
navy would have an ample supply of
ammunition. even If the ships were
called into frequent action. Naval of
ficers explain that a refill will last
through several engagements, owing
to the limit of endurance of men while
in action. If the guns could be worked
constantly. refill would be exhausted
in one heavy engagement, but the guns
as well as the men have their limit of
endurance These considerations have
all been taken into account in the
rough estimates that have been made
as to the refills requisite for the
American fleet.
The appropriation of $50 900, 900 for the
national defense. which provision was
made in the bill introduced in the house
to-day by Mr.. Cannon, would not in
yolve the issue of bonds. This announce
ment was made by the treasury officials,
who stated that the treasury was amply
prepared to meet any demands that
would likely to be made on it. On Feb
] the cash in the treasury amounted to
1856, Ell. 1885, of which s204. .063.911 was
gold. $511, $40 silver. SLOT SD, ,95S in par
currency and $33, ,0S4 002 in disbursing
officers balances, etc. The net avail
able cash on hand above all amounted
to 1925, 564 ,203.
Taking No Risks.
Tt is not felt at the navy department
that the people of the Montgomery are
taking any particular risks in going to
Havana at this time, for 1t Is said,
should hostlities break out, it is a rule
of honorable warfare that they can 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 molestation.
The personnel of the Montgomery Is:
Commander, Converse: lieutenant COM
mander and executive officer, Bald:
navigator. Lieutenant Hutchings: watch
officers, Lieutenant Field and Ensigns
Steiguer, Spear and Osborne: surgeon.
DIR. Curtis: paymaster Ramsay; chief
engineer. Reeves; assistant engineer,
Allen. The ship carries a crew of 22S
men of all classes.
Without delay the officers of the
adjutant generals department to-day
gave the necessary orders for the re-
cruiting of the new artillery regiments
authorized by congress. The purpose is
to enlist such as have had service in the
artillery wherever possible and no
doubt is entertained that plenty of
material of the right kind will offer.
The names of the officers of the new
regiments are now being selected. As
for the men, it is the plan to assign Is
soldiers from existing artillery regi-
ments as the nucleus of each new COM
pany to take hold of and break in the
new men who enlist. and 1t is expected
that in a very short time Uncle Sam
will have two grand regiments. The
headquarters of one of the regiments
will be established al Fort Slocum on
Long Island Sound, commanding New
York as there are suitable quarters
available there. The destination of the
other regiment has not been decided
upon.
No report had come to the navy de-
partment since Saturday relative to the
work of the court of inquiry at Havana,
and the news is confined to the reports
of the newspapers. which are carefully
scanned by the officers
The Castine, which was docked at
Port of France, has sailed for Barba-
does. The torpedo boat Winslow has
arrived at Charleston en- route to Key
West. The Oregon. which has been fit-
ted with bilge keels at the Bremerton
dock on Puget Sound, has sailed to San
Francisco.
DnTu MCN AMI MnhEN