The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-03-10
DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE
ALLOTMENT OF THE $4,000, 900 FOR
NATIONAL DEFENSE.

NATIONAL DEFENSE.
The President, 1T Is Said, VIII Do Nothing
ACCOMPLISHMENTS is Made That the
Naval Court of Inquiry VIII Report
Some Time Next Week.
Washington, March 9.--The features
Of to-days events was the promptitude
with which the senate passed the house
bill carrying the appropriation of $780,
100000 for the national defense and the
haste with which it was put through.
While the matter has been considered
it can be stated that the fund has not
yet been allotted among the various
branches of the government service.
Each of these had prepared tentative
ly an estimate of the funds it could dis
pose of to advantage, but upon looking
over the ground, the president con-
cluded that it would be we'll to avoid
making the allotment until the neces-
sity became apparent The sum that
can be prof1tably spent for warships
cannot even be guessed at with any APP
Proclamation to accuracy just now and
the ships are to be first choice in the
steps for defense. The secretary of
the navy is making every effort to Sc
cure from our naval attaches and dip
lomatic officers abroad all information
obtainable respecting the number of
ships building, their price and other
conditions klaMl 81
Rifles for SOC, 900 Men.
The war department is arranging to
secure large supply of the most mod
ern rifles, sufficient in time of emer-
gency to arm 100000 men. The need of
these modern guns has long been ap-
parent. 1t was stated by high officials
of the department to-day that no board
was necessary to inquire into the mer-
It's Of the various guns on the market
but that the department would turn to
the best sources of supply. These, it
is said, are ample within the United
States to turn out rifles of the most
approved pattern as fast as the govern
I ment wants them. 1t is not unlikely,
however, that the demand will require
the army to turn from the Krag-Jor-
gensen rifle now in use and adopt in
part at least one of the American made
guns. General Miles strongly favors
the straight pull gun" 1t is Amerf
can make and has been adopted by the
British government as the standard
arm, a million being now in the hands
Of British soldiers. General Miles rec
commended its adoption eighteen years
ago, when member Of a board for the
choice Of rifle, and his views will
have much weight. This gun is used
by the United States navy and this IS
u being urged as another point in it's ia
I yor, as the reserve supply would be
available for either branch of the gov
ernment service. Attention is also be-
\ ing given to supplies of powder, car
4 tridges, ETC., for the artillery.
Brazilian warships.
N Senior Mendonca the Brazilian minis
4 ter, said to-day that he had received
v no information as to the reported ne
gotiations toward the purchases Of
Brazilian warships now in course of
construction in foreign yards. In other
II official quarters the impression is
growing that there is a better prospect
X Of securing ships now building for Ar
III gentine and Chilli. Brazil has been ac-
tive Of late In building up her navy,
and there is doubt as to her willingness
to part with any of the ships now
+ building for her. These include two
ironclads at the Armstrong yards, two
ironclads at LaSeine, France, and
three torpedo-boat catchers at Stettin,
Germany. Considerable payments have
been made on these and they have be-
b come largely the property of Brazil. 1t
II is claimed, however, that the report of
a treaty between Brazil and Chill
Il which would prevent either from SELL
ing ship unless the other sold at the
same Time Is erroneous.
ships, Ammunition, Etc.
There are many applications coming
from persons who desire to sell ships
d to the government, but in most of these
cases the craft offered is not suitable
u for naval needs, or the date of possible
completion is 50 distant that it cannot
be regarded as worthy Of purchase to
meet an emergency. There is less diff
"a Guilty experienced in securing tenders
n Of war material, such as shot, shell and
4 powder, and the navy department has
Sl almost assured itself of an abundant
II supply Of certain kinds of smokeless
4 powder abroad at short notice. The
81 officials of the department are in daily
correspondence by mail and telegraph
with ammunition houses. The repre-
4 sentatives of the armor-making firms
4 are in consultation with the depart
ment daily. 1t has been demonstrated
& to the navy department that it will not
be possible to make the armor for the
superb battleships, three in number,
now building at Newport news and at
En- Cramps and at the Union Iron Works
in San Francisco, in time to render
" these ships available for any emergen-
II cy that may arise this year.
Report Expected Next Week.
s The statement was made at the navy
81 department to-day that the report of
the Maine court of inquiry probably
81 would come to the department some
S8time next week. It did not appear,
#showever, that this statement was
s founded upon any direct report of the
icourt but was an estimate based upon
the progress so far made. Many con-
gratulations are coming to the White
shouse and the state department from
eal1 parts of the country upon the patri-