The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-11

the army, even on a war footing, as
was anticipated. This is because Ger
tain private gun makers have just
drought out a type of repeating rife
very similar in general features to the
army rifle, using the same cartridge Of
the 30 gauge, and with about as great
rapidity of fire. The plants of these
| companies are so extensive that they
could turn the arms out very rapidly
so that the Springffelds in the hands
of the militia could be replaced in short
order.
FACILITIES OF THE COUNTRY
AMPLE.
In connection with the subject of
purchasing naval ammunition, it is
said that no contracts nave been closed
but the department has informed itself
July as to O speedily IL could secure
every kind of ammunition and supplies
in case Of emergency. This inquiry
has shown, in a general way, that the
facilities Of this country are ample to
meet any demand for powder, projec-
tiles, cartridge cases, primers, fuses,
etc. These supplies are not kept in
stock, however, and in case Of emer-
gency they would have to be made to
orders. 1t is said that the capacity Of
on finn for turning out the brown
prismatic powder required 10y the avy
is 5000, 0C0 pounds a mCnth, which
would mere than meet the demands of
a conflict.
While no exact estimate has been
made of the shares of the $50, 900, 900
appropriation to be allotted to ammu-
milton, it is roughly estimated that at
least $40, 900, 900 would be assigned,
ing to the mormon cost of refiilling
the ammunition chests OF the warships
now in service. At present there is
nOt enough ammunition on hand for
one refilIing beyond that now on
board. A single refiling costs SO, 0OO,-
600. Each fiji st-class battleship carries
400 tons of ammunition. With the
amounts on hand, n the refills which
are being calculated on, the ravy would
have an ample supply of ammunition,
wen if the ships were called into fire.
Guent 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 re-
fill would be exhausted in one heavy
engagement gut the guns as we'll as
the men have their limit of endurance.
These consideration have all been
taken into account in the rough general
estimates that have been made as the
requisite for a suitable equipment of
the American fleet.
NO ISSUE OF BONDS NECESSARY.
The appropriation of $50, 000, 900 for the
national defense for which provisions
was made in the bill int1 Oduced in the
house today by Mr.. Cannon, will not
involve the issue of bonds. This an
nouncem2nt 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. One officer said that the cash
amounted to $3.50, 81, 766, CT which $2O4,-
1853. 971 was gold; SSH $685. 3 silver, $107,-
564, 958 in paper currency and S33,OS4,-
coz in discussing officers balances etc.
The net available cash on hand, above
all liabilities amounts to 1925, 564, 2O3.
NO DANGER TO THE MONT
GOMERY.
1t is not felt at the navy department
that the people of the Montgomery are
taking any particular risk in going to
Havana at this time for it is said that
even should hostiMties br eak out, it is
a rule Of honorable warfare that they
be given safe convoy out CT the waters
of the hostile country. OF curse Gen.
eral Lee and the members of the court
of inquiry at Havana wCuld be equally
exempt from moleste ton. The per-
sonnet of the Montgomery is: %
Commander Converse, Lieutenant
Commander and Executive officer
Beld; Navigator Lieutenant Hutchins;
watch officers. Lieutenant Fields and
Ensigns Steiguer, Spear and Osborne;
Surgeon, DIR. Curtis; Paynlaster Ram
sey; Chief Engineer Allen. The ship
carries a crew of 22S men of all classes.
TO RAISE NEW REGIMENTS AT
WILL.
Without delay the officers of the ad-
jutant-general's department today gave
the necessary orders for the recruiting
of the two new artillery regiments au-
thOriZed by congress.
The purpose is to enlist such men as
have had service i'm the artillery
wherever possible and no doubt is en-
~tertained that plenty of material of the
right kind will offer. The officers of
the new regiments are now being Sc
lected. AS for the men, it is the plOn to
assign fifteen soldiers from existing
artillery regiments as the nucleus Of
each new company, to take hold of
and brake in the new men who are
enlisted. and it is expected that in a
very short time Uncle Sam will have
two good regiments. The headquarters
of one of these regiments win be es-
tablished at Fort Slocum. on Long is