The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-03-12

very similar in general feature to the
army rifle, using the same cartridge OF
80 guage and with about as great ra-
pidity of fire. The plants of these
companies are so extensive that they
could turn the arms out very rapidly,
so that the Springfield, in the hands
of the militia, could be replaced in
short order.
In connection with the subject of
purchasing naval ammunition 1t is said
that no contracts have been closed,
but the department has informed it.
self as to how speedily it could secure
every kind of ammunition and sup
plies in cas- of emergency. This in
quiry has shown, ID a general way,
that the facilities of this country are
ample to meet any demand for powder,
projectiles, cartridge cases, primers,
fuses, etc. These supplies are not
kept in stock, however, and, in cas- Of
emergency, they would have to be
made ON orders. 1t is said hat the ca
pacity of one firm for turning out the
brown prismatic powder required by
the navy is 5,OOO,O 900 pounds a month,
which would more than meet the de-
mands of a conflict.
While no exact estimate has been
made of the share of the $50, 600, 600 APP
preparation to- be allotted to ammuni-
ton, it is estimated that at least S1O,-
OOO,O OO would be so assigned, owing to
the enormous cost of refilling the am
munition chests of the war ships now
in service. At present there is not
enough ammunition on hand for one
refilling beyond hat now on board. A
single refilling costs 3d. 900 900. Each
tirst-class battleship carries 400
tons of ammunition. With the
amounts or hand, and the reflls which
are being calculated on, the navy would
have an ample supply of ammunition,
even if the ships were called into fire.
quent action. Naval officers explain
that a refill will last through several
engagements, owing to the limit of en-
durance of men while in action. If
the guns could be worked constantly a
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 gen.
eral estimates that have been made as
to the refills requisite for a suitable
equipment of the American fleet.
The appropriation of $50, OOO, 900 for
the national defense, for which provi-
sion was made in the bill introduced
in the house by Mr.. Cannon, will not
involve the issue of bonds. This an
nouncement was made by the treasury
officials, who stated that the treasury
was amply prepared to meet any de-
mands that will likely be made upon
it. On February 1 the cash in the
treasury amounted to $3.50, ST., 700, of
which S20i, O63, 971 was gold; S511,s5S,-
1874 silver; S1O7, 564 ,95S in paper cur.
rency, and S33, Os4, OO2 in ~disbursing of.
ficers' balances, etc. The net available
cash on hand, above all liabilities.
amounts to S225, 564, 203.
1t 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 it is said
that wen should hostilities break out
it is 4 rule of honorable warfare that
they be given safe convoy out of the
waters of the hostile country. OF
course, Gen. Lee and the members of
the court of inquiry at Havana would
be equally exempt from molestation.