Gilpin observer., 1899-09-14
WASHINGTON NEWS.

The Navy Department has sent or
ders to the cruiser Detroit, which has
Just arrived at Philadelphia from New
York, to proceed at once to La Guayra.
Venezuela. She will coal and start
on the voyage in the course of two or
three days. The Detroit should make
the run to La Guayra inside of ten
days. The occasion for her presence
at La Guayra is n report to the State
Department that there are signs of
great unrest and excitement i'm the in
terror of Venezuela, and that the pres
ence of an American warship might
have good effect in maintaining the
confidence of resident Americans and
other foreigners in their safety.
In response to renewed inquiry
whether there was any prospect of his
going to Manila to assume command of
the United States army there. General
Miles says: Il cannot tell. There are
no new developments in the matter so
far as l know. Certainly such a mis-
| sion would be n serious and RESPONSE
BILE one. and | don't think that anyone
would ask to he sent there. n variety
of complicated problems await solu-
tion in the Philippines" Asked if he
would like to 30 out there and under
take the solution of these problems.
General Miles smiled TRANQUILITY and
replied: 1T is soldiers duty to 20
where he is sent. and to do the very
best he can when he gets there"
Acting Secretary Alien has issued an
order making important changes in
the navy yard apprentice system.
Heretofore there has been no rule for
| the appointment and education of the
apprentices. Now commandants ut
navy yards are instructed to receive
applications from likely candidates.
| hold examinations and make up lists
of eligibles from which appointments
| Will he made. The examinations will
not be severe except physically, the re-
| quirements being ability to read and
write and knowledge of arithmetic up
to decmals Candidates must be be-
| tween the ages of 10 and IL years.
Once appointed. the boys will be thor
oughly instructed in their trades and
examined from time to time for pro-
motion. 1t is hoped in this manner to
cure the ills of the present apprentice
| system.
The Navy Department has reached Il
| final determination to assign Rear Ad-
hiral Norman II. Farquhar to com
mand the North Atlantic squadron to
succeed Admiral Sampson, and to place
the latter in command of the Boston
navy yard to fill the vacancy caused by
the recent death of Admiral Picking.
The transfer will take place on Octo-
ber 10th. Rear Admiral Farquhar is
one of the veteran officers of the navy,
his services covering the Civil War. as
well as the Spanish-American conflict.
His last sea service was as commander
of the Newark in 1896 His shore as
signments have included stations at
the Boston navy yard, the League Is
land navy yard and, since 1897, at the
Norfolk navy yard. He was commits
stoned rear admiral on March 3rd last |
under the navy personnel bill.
Major General Miles says of the re-
cent tests at Sandy Hook of high pro-
iectiles: 1.-The object of these tests was
to ascertain the force and power of
new explosives, the effect of concus-
sion as well as the power of breaking
projectiles into fragmentary pieces.
The possibility of throwing high ex>
plOsives through armor plate was also
tested with safety and the fact was
demonstrated that projectiles contain |
ing high explosives can be thrown
long distances. ten. twelve and four
teen miles. in fact, as far as it is pos
sible to throw any projectile from any
kind of gun. Each trial and test |
thus far has been entirely satisfac-
tory" General Miles spoke with much |
satisfaction of the practical headway |
that had been made in the experiments |
at Sandy Hook with heavy ordnance
and the newest and most powerful eX-
plosives.
The War Department has made pub |
lie Il statement of the trade between |
the United States and all of her colo
MES under military control, and with |
Cuba, as well. for the seven months of |
Z I'll I,tlN- y Iii
son with the year 1898. The exports |
from the United States to Cuba for the |
seven months We're S14, 116.993 in 1899
against S4iS5.931 in 1898. The i'm |
ports to the United States from Cuba |
for the same period We're S19.916,9J6 in |
1899 against S12.414.77O in 1898. The |
exports from the United States to Por-
to Rico for the seven months We're ST.
299. .221 in 1899 against $500. 10 in 1898. |
Imports into the United States from |
Porto Rico during the same time were |
S3,379.994 in 1899 against S2,253. 800 |
in 1893. The exports from the United |
States to the Philippine Islands from |
January / to July 81 were 1886. 100 In |
1899. against S65.T3G in 1898. The i'm |
ports into the United States from the
Philippines for the same period were
S3.21i. 143 in 1899 against 81, 2S3,T75 in |
| 1893.
At Saturdays session of the Indus
trial Commission, an animated contro-
versy occurred between Chairman Phil |
| lips and j. ID. Archbold of New
/ York. vice president of the Standard
Oil Company Mr.. Archbold was ON
the stand and replying TO statements
made by j. ID. Lee of the United Pipe
Company, and other Independent com.
| panies. Referring to Mr.. Lees state
ment that the Standard company had
made advances to the Pipe Line com.
pnny with n view Of buying Il out. Mr..
! Archbold said. ANY approaches on