The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-08
WILLBUY NEW SHIPS
fConlinued from FlrsE PageD

would prevent their acquisition by the
United States.
MIR. Lane recently sold the Navy De
nartment sixty of the Maxim-Norden-
feldt rapid fire guns. and his STANDING
with officials is such as 10 give his re-
presentations as 10 ship much weight
AMMUNITION NEEDED.
There are things wanted much more
than war ships In case Of troupie ana .ne
army shares these needs. so that u lali
proportion OF the $5O,OOVV would nave
TO 90 to the War Department. ines,
are abundant supplies OF snot ana sheii
and nowdar. The army IS as short ms
the navy Of these essential stores IL mas
been found greatly 10 the gratihcatloh
of the army officers that there VIII ho'
be nearly as much difficulty IN securing
modern arms for the army even ON q
war footing. as was anticipated hls
Is because certain private gun makers
have just brought out type OF repeat
ing rifle very similar I'm general features
20 the army rifle using the same cart
ridge of the 80 gauge. and with about as
,,reat rapiditv OF fire. The plants OF
these companies are so extensive that
they could turn the arms out very rapid
Is so that the Sprlnghelds In the hahds
OF the militia could be replaced IN snort
order.
In connection with tine subject Of pur-
chasing naval ammunition, II is said that
no contracts have been closed nut the
department has informed Itself iully as
10 how speedily II could secure every
kind of ammunition and supplies IN case
OF emergency. This inquiry has SHOWN.
I'm a general way that the facilities OF
this country are ample 20 meet any de-
mand for powder. projeculcs, cdrtriu6S
cases, primers. fuses, etc.
These supplies are not kept In stock
however. and in case 81 emergency they
would have 20 be made on orders.
IL is said that the capacity OF one iirm
for turning out the brown prismatic pow
der required by the Navy is five million
pounds a month. which would more than
meet the demands OF a conflict
COST OF REFILLING.
While no exact estimate has been made
OF the share Of the $50 ciOooO appropril-
ton TO be allotted TO ammunition. IL is
roughly estimated that az least Sl0.oo0p9
would be so assigned owing 10 the enor-
nous cost of rehlling the ammunitior'
.hests Of the warships now IN service. AZ
present there Is not not enough ammuni-
ton on hand for one rehllins beyond that
now on board.
A single renlling costs 100000 Each
frst-class battle-ship carries 100 tons or
ammunition With amounts on hand. ana
the refills which are being calculated on.
the Navy would have an ample supply Of
ammunition. even If the ships were called
into frequent action.
Naval officers explain that a refill will
last through several engagements. owing
10 the limit Of endurance of men while
i'm action. II the guns could be worked
constantly a refill would be exhausted In
one heavy engagement. but the guns az
well as the men have their limit Of endur-
ance These considerations have all been
taken into account in the rough general
estimates that have been made as to the
reflls requisite for a suitable equipment
Of tho American feet.
TREASURY ALL RIGHT.
The appropriation Of 100000 for the
national defence. for which provision was
made in tho bill introduced I'm the House
to-day by Mr.. Cannon will not involve
the issue OF bonds. This announcement
was made by the Treasury officials who
stated that the Treasury was amply pro
pared 20 meet any demands that will
likely be made on DO.
on February LIST the cash In the Treas
ufN amounted 10 HtJ1Dti tthff 'A NHiNu
s2Oi 0se.97i was gold S5llSSt& silver;
sl07.56l9js I'm paper currency and s33'OsL-
coz i'm disbursing officers balances, etc.
The net available cash on hand above
all liabilities amounts 10 S22l 2o3.
40 SPECIAL RISK.
II is not felt 81 she Navy Department
that the people Of the Montgomery are
taking any particular risks in going 10
Havana at this time. for Il Is said that
even should hostilities break out, Il Is a
rule OF honorable warfare that they be
given safe convoy out OF the waters OF
the hostile country.
or course General Lee and the MEM
beers OF the court OF inquiry at Havana
would be equally exempt from molesta-
ton
The personnel Of the Montgomery Isl:
Commander Converse. Lieutenant-Com-
mander and Executive Officer Beldcastle.
Lieutenant Hutchins Watch Ofiicer
Lieutenant Fields and Ensings Steiguer
Spear and Osborne. Surgeon. DR.. Curtis;
Paynaster Ramsey. Chief Engineer
Reeves. ssistant Engineer Allen
The ship carries a crew Of 22s men OF all
classes.