The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-08

4ha. war Is expected. b.. "a prseaa-
t.ssssary provision ard a. e.ssEancs 20 tire
ward that tie government - WAXING
ton. II al ~ branches ant Without as
,incfgor Of partl7s c. persons. u ard viii
be soaa.y united IA everything that ysr-
txsns 10 supporting oar president IN the
maintenance or 5gAzt relations with CUR
feis5S-fnen and the upacIelng Of tbs Ez-
f.onai dignity ana honoT.@
Torpedo Boat Destroyer Wanted.
As there has beer no further srpiaua-
ter SO far O. the purpose whsea promoted
the Introduction OF Gamers resolution,
Il may be saId that the noney = wanted
primarily as an emergency fund X +
said by officials who Will have the dlsposi-
siez OF this treasure that I; b. &c means
follows because congress Places suea
sum OF money IN the control % the prssi-
6-et that ase EiIi feel bound % spend al
OF Il. Those who look for wholesale
purchase OF warships from the bargain
coYntsrs Of European builders are likely 70
be disappointed. The navy department
as.praxsnt - inclined 20 make bat one
p.sre base o. this kind. az frs, az least. 10
the shape Of > substantial if1nciaa. Il
does desire 70 ge; possession o. several q
the larger class Of torpedo boat destroyers.
SUCH as the Rskui. ~ the Russian navy.
vsssels Of l.3s9 tors. able 70 keep the SEA
IN bad weather. a weak point with our
ON boats. and capable Of enormous speed,
such as fhlrty~two knots. But such craft
arr no. for sale ii all times. They are
built to order generally. ard could rot
be procured In this manner 10 less than
sin months from the date OF contract. even
In Europe. unless special prices were paid.
Th<re Il no disposition OF the present navy
dsesrsMeni 10 lumber the navy with lot
OF pnserviceabIe craft in q spasgn OF fear,
but rather to get few OF the best vessels
so-be had.
fine wmrships for Sale.
The offers OF ships TO the navy depart
msnt arc now assuming definite and for
received call from A. r. Lane. represent
ing tire Maxim Sordenfeidt Company. and
the agents for several warships now near
Ing com getfon In large foreign shipyards.
These include two cruisers Of the type Of
the Cincinnati. which are designed 10 be
fc-knot vessels. and two ironclaas OF IL
knoty. which will be called first-ciass bat
tleaslps under our rating. These are now
open to purchase. and IL Is understood that
Mr. IAae's visit WAC !n this connection.
Thu two new cruisers are $50 fee. long. ~
fc6s beam and 10 feet dranght. They carry
elk s-inch and six 4-inch guns and an aux
Hilary battery. The ironelsds have a iz1.-
inch belt of haryoyixed steel. Their arna-
ment IL two lo-inch guns. four s-inch. two
s-iacb, six e-pounders and four i-pounders
Mr.. Lane regards these ships as frsi-c.ass
In every particular. az they were designed
on modern principles. and are being built
by one OF the leading shipbaildng firms ia
EaEope. They are well along toward com
plssIon. and ali four, II Il said. could be In
commission within a few months They
were originally designed for one Of the
sonsh American republics. but there is said
4, ns no obligation which would prevent
their acquisition by the United States
~ Lane recently sold The navy depart
ment sixty OF the Maxim Nordenfeldt
rspid-firs guns and his standing with OH
slasa /. such as 10 give hts representations
as 10 the ships much weight.
Ammunition Badiy Needed.
There are things that are wanted much
more than year ships IN case % trouble and
,ns army shares the needs. 81 that fair
proportion Of the 80 oeo. 90 would have 20
20 10 tho war department. These are
abundant supplies Of shot. shell and pow
Ger The army Ia as shore as the navy
Of these essential stofes II has been
found. greatly TO the qualification Of the
era.y officers. that there viii not be near
". az much aifnraiity IN securing modern
asais for the army. even on war foot.
ing as was Anticipated. This l. because
ess.aln private gunmakee~ have just
brought cut type Of rotating rife. very
sl4nliar in general feature ~ the army
rife. usiax the same cartridge % 80 gauge
and with about as great rapla.ty of fTe.
TIE plants OF taesa companies are 40 ex-
,ausgvs that they could turn the arms oDi
vsty rapidly. 81 that the sprlnSneias IN
the hanis Of the militia could ba replaced
81 short order.
IT connection with the subject % pur.
chasing ammunition. :, IL s@ta that 10 con.
tracts have been closed bar that the de-
pastment has informed Itself as 10 how
ssee Oily Il could secure every Kind Of am
ugnnitlon ana supplies la case of emer-
gen. Thls iuaaify has shown. In a gen
erai way. that she facilities OF this coun.
Try are ample 20 meet any demand -
powder protecslles. cartridge cases. psfm
,rs. fuee. ete. Tsess supplies are rot KEEP
IN stock. haweter and IN case ~ erner
Tcncy they wonlA nave 70 Re made on or
6ers T. Is ssla that ths capacity Of on,
81 tas Saesases Turning oat the Brow
rris7aatss- psA isr required ~ the nay'
Is 3 ~ an poauas re- month wet-h woui.
mote ihaa lre,; the demands of a ceua.ct
While - sxaet estimate has 1eeu ,as1
u the ahagu o tHe s.. as1 ~ annrorr3aei
e. ~ allotted 70 smnsarsu8r. b. gs esq.
mated Al 'easl IS na oei would hs -a seq
sisDeSs evlng 80 sbe esaevnous cost a. ss
- 80 ss1.-r4 ..s...-a.