Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-08


take exception to the friendly relations
and companionship existing between CEN
eral Lee and the correspondents Of pa
pers which have been decidedly unfriend-
ly to Spain.
1t is believed that Senior De LONE car
ried TO Spain papers and information Cal4
culated to make the Spanish Government
request the recall of COnsul-General Lee.
WARSHIP PURCHASE NATTER.
AS there has been no explanation so
far of the purpose which prompted the
introduction of Mr.. Cannon's resolution,
il may be said that the money is Wanted
primarily as an emergency fund. IL Is
said by officials who will have the dispo-
sition of this treasure that it by no means
follows that because Congress places
such a sum of money in the control oil
the President he viii feel bound to spend
all of IT, Those who look for a wholesale
purchase of warships from the bargain
counters of European builders are Hkeiy
to be disappointed. The Navy Depart
ment at present is inclined to make puI
one purchase of this kind, at first, at
least. in the shape of substantial IRON
clad
II does desire to get possession of seve-
raj of the larger class of torpedo-boat
destrovers. such as the Sokul, of the Rus
sian navy. vessels of 300 tons, able 10 keep
the sea i'm bad weather, weak point with
our own boats, and capable of enormous
speed. such as 50 knots. But such craft
are not for sale at all times; they are
built to order generally, and could not 10
nrocured i'm this manner in less than SIX
months from the date of contract. even In
Europe, unless special prices were paid
There is no disposition on the part OF
tbe Navy Department to lumber the navy
with n lot of unserviceable craft, In
spasm of fear. but rather to get Few Oh
the best vessels 10 be had
OFFERS OF SHIPS.
The offers Of ships to the Navy Depart
ment are now assuming definite ana Ior-
NAL shape. During the day Secretary
Long received a call from a. +. Lane
representing the Maxim Nordenleldt
Company, and the agent for seVeral war
vessels now nearing completion IN large
foreign ship-yards. These include TWO
cruisers of the type of the CINCINNATI
which are designed 10 be very tasl yes
sells and iron-clads of what are called
the third-cass of battleships under our
rating. These are now open to purchase,
and il is understood that Mr.. Lanes visit
was i'm this connection The two cruisers
are $50 feet long, OF 3S feet beam and OF
1e feet draught They carry six 6-inch
and four 5-inch guns. and an auXllary
battery. The ironclads have IL 3-i-inch
belt of Harveyized steel The armament
&c two l0-inch guns, four 5-inch, and two
6-inch guns, six 6-pounders, and four l.
nounders Mr.. Lane regards THESE shlps
as first-class i'm every particular as they
we're designed on modern principles, ana
GRO heing built by one of the leading ship
building firms of Europe. They are Wen
along toward completion, and all four, IL
is said. could be in commission within
few months
They we're originally designed for one
of the South American repuphcs' out
there is said to be no obligation when
would prevent their acquisition by the
United States.
NIr lane recently sold the Navy De-
rtment sixty of the Maxim-Nordenfeldt
ppaaid-6re guns, and his standing with
oa5c,ols is such as TO give his represen-
tations as to ships much weight.
ARMY NEEDS.
n,hore are things wanted much more
.han Uarships in case OF trouble. and
tba army shares these needs, so that
tair nronortion Of the $j0,0O00O0 would
have 10 go to the War Department.
These are abundant supplies of shot and
she'll and powder. Inc army Is Us short
&C the navy Of these essential stores.
II has been found, greatly to the graft
6cation of the army officers, that there
,yilI not be nearly as much difficulty IN
securing modern arms for the army. even
on a war footing, as was anticipated.
Thta is because certain private gun
makers have just brought out type of
rnneating rife very similar In general
fsatures to the army rife, using the
cartridge of the .3-gauge, and with about
as great rapidity of fire. The plants of
these companies are 80 extensive that
thsv could turn the arms out very rapidly.
so that the Springfelds in the hands Of
The militia could be replaced in short
order.
chasing naval ammunition, IL IL said that
No contYacts have been closed, but that
the department has informed itself fully
as 10 how speedily II could secure every
Wind Of ammunition and supplies I'm case
of emergency. This inquiry has shown,
I'm a general way, that the facilities OF
this country are ample TO meet any de-
mand for powder, projectiles' cartridge