The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-10

secure a large supply of the most mod
ern rifles. sufficient in time OF emer-
gency TO arm 10000 men. The need OF
these guns has long been apparent. 1t
is stated by high officials OF the depart
ment that no board is necessary to In
Quire into the merits of the various guns
on the market, but that the department
will turn to the best sources OF supply.
These, IL is said. are ample within the
United States to turn out rifles OF the
most approved pattern as fast as the
government wants them. II Is not un-
likely. however. that the demand will
require the army to turn from the Krag-
Jorgensen rife now in use and adopt In
part at least one OF the American made
guns. General Miles strongly favors
the straight pull gun" IL Is Of Amer:
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 recon-
mended it's adoption IS years ago when
member of a board for the choice OF a
life. and his view will have much weight
This gun Is used by the navy. and this
Is being urged as another point in its
favor. as the reserve supply would be
available for either branch of the gov.
ernment service
Attention is also being given TO sup.
plies OF powder. cartridges. etc, for the
army. Those in authority say orders
can be filed without delay and that
about the only branch OF ordnance for
which the facilities are not fully up &c
an emergency demand is heavy forti-
fcation guns.
Mr.. Mendonca, the Brazilian minister,
has received no information as to the
reported negotiations toward the pur.
chase OF Brazilian warships now In
course OF construction in foreign yards
In official quarters the impression is
growing that there is a better prospect
OF securing ships building for Argentine
and Chilli. Brazil has been active of late
In building up her navy. and there is
doubt as to her Willingness to part with
any OF the ships building for her Those
include two ironclads at the Armstrong
yards. two ironclads at La Seine
France, and three torpedo boat catchers
at Stettin. Germany. Considerable pay
ments have been made on these, and
they have become largely the property
OF Brazil. 1t is claimed however that
report of a treaty between Brazil and
Chill. which would prevent either from
selling ship unless the other sold at
the same time. is erroneous.
The statement was made Yesterday
that the report Of the Maine court OF
inquiry probably would come to the de-
partment some time next week 1t did
not appear. however, that this statement
the court. but was rather an estimate
based upon the progress so far made as
revealed by the change OF methods on
the part of the court.
Many congratulations are coming TO
the White House and the state depart
ment from all parts OF the country upon
the patriotic spirit exhibited in dealing
with the latest phases OF the Cuban
question. Most OF them are official in
character, but many are personally d.
rected to the president.
Admiral Sicard has been authorized
TO enlist suitable men for the navy at
Key West IL he can find the material.
He reported that he had received some
applications from machnists and sea
men, and was given the power to take
the men. The department is still striv-
ing vigorously to secure machinists, es-
pecially men who know how to run sta
tionary engines.
Official reports indicate that the au-
tonomy scheme projected for Porto Rico
has been put into successful operation.
This is interesting mainly because OF the
resemblance between the project and
the plan which IL is now sought to put in
play in Cuba. A dispatch from the
United States consul at San Juan, Porto
Rico. states that the Inauguration of
the cabinet and the ceremony of declar-
Ing autonomy in effect in that island
occurred on the 11th ult. He says the
whole day was one Of great manifesto
tioR OF Joy.