The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-03-18

loost in the interest of the Madrid au.
thorities.
LOOKING FOR SHIPS
secratery Long Makes Every Effort
Get Informs alton,
Washington, March 1.-THE feature.
of the days events was the prompti-
tude with which the senate passed the.
house bill carrying the appropriation,
of $5O,OOO,OOO for the national de-
tense and the haste with which it
was put through the formal proceed
ings, engrossed and signed by the.
president. While the matter has been
considered it can be stated that the.
fund has not vet been allotted among
the various branches of the govern
ment service. Each of these had pre-
pared roughly and tentatively an esti-
mate of the funds it could dispose Of
to advantage, but upon looking over
the ground the president concluded
that it would be we'll, perhaps, to
avoid making this allotment until the
necessity became apparent The.
reason back of this is that the SUN
that can be profitably spent for war;
ships cannot even be guessed at with
any approximation to accuracy Just
now. AS the ships are to be first
choice in the steps for defense, until
their cost is ascertained it is not DOS
sible to divide the remainder of the
appropriation among the other
branches of the military and naval
services. The secretary of the navy is.
making every effort to secure from
our naval attaches and diplomatic Of
ficers abroad all information obtain.
able respecting the number of ships
building, their price and other data.
Uu to this moment not only has the
United States government bought no
Warship. but it has not even secured
az option on one. There are
Many Applications Coming
to the department from persons and
firms who desire to sell ships to the,
government, but in most of these
cases some fatal obstacle is encoun--
tered to the consummation of the
sales. There is less difficulty expert
enced in securing tenders of war ma
terial, such as shot and shell and
powder, and the navy department has
almost assured itself of an abundant
supply.
The statement was made at the navy
department that the report &C the
Maine court of inquiry probably would
come to the department some time
next week. 1t did not appear, howev-
er, that this statement was founded
upon any direct report from the court,
but was rather all 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 directed to the president.
Admiral Sicard has been authorized
to enlist suitable men for the navy at
Key West If he can find the material.
He reported that he had received
some applications from
Machinssts end senmen.
and was Immediately given the power
to take the men. The department. is
still striving vigorously to secure ma
chinists, especially men who know
how to run stationary engines. These
men can be quickly taught how to
run marine engines and require little
other training to make them valuable
aboard ship.
Official reports indicate that the au-
tcncmy scheme projected for Porto
Rico has been put into successful op-
GRAFTON. This is Interesting mainly
because of resemblance between the
project and the plan which it is now
sought to put in play in Cuba.
The war department is arranging to
secure a large supply Of the most
modern rifle sufficient in time Of
emergency to arm force Of 100000.
The need Of these modern guns has
long been apparent but congress has
not shown disposition to supply any
reserve rifles for use by volunteer
force in time Of emergency. Now,
however, an adequate supply of the
most effective rifles will be among the
first uses to which the war department
will rut its share Of the defense fund.
Senior Mendonca, the Brazilian min
formation as to the reported negotia-
tions toward the purchase of Brazil-
ian warships now in course Of con-
structiOn In foreign yards. In other
official quarters the impression 10
growing that there Is better prospect
Of securing ships now building for
Argentina and Chile.
Working Day ami Night.
Reading, Pa, March 1.-THE Car
penter steel works has effected the
lease Of the large plant OF thesD
mOnd Steel company. The two plants
will run night and day on proJectiles
% soon as necessary machinery 10
procured. a large additional force.
Y will be employed. N