The sun., 1900-07-14

guns, which are Of the latest pattern, have done
remarkable service In the Philippines and those
batteries will probably be sent to China for SER
vice there. 1t was only recently that Russia
ordered several thousand guns OF similar
typs for the equipment Of it, field artillery.
tits recognized by the officials Of the War De-
partment that guns of this Tyre would be ex-
ceedingly valuable in the operations In China.
but whether they can be spared from the Philip
pines is to be determined. The last report rom
Gen. Macarthur showed that but one OF these
batteries was In Manila. the rest being scattered
about the different islands.
The ordnance Bureau Is receiving much at
tentlon also because OF Its apparent apathy on
Of e9e o, Srse supply
ports from Manila showed that but 5000 rounds
Of ammunition for the, Maxim guns had
b been supplied and thst much OF this
say that the question ol securing powder
az this time Is serious one. ~ is known
weeks been purchasing large quantities OF am-
munition and secured options on other ordnance
supplies In the possession OF ordnance firms,
Meanwhile the Ordnance Bureau OF the army
has been for several weeks parleying with
ordnance firms over the price Of powder and
shell without nla cling any orders The records
show Ilentiful supply OF small-arm ammu-
Tor the purchase OF large quantities Of field-gun
ammunition. The arsenal at Manila has sup
ply on hand. and sufficient for immedi te use has
been ordered 10 China with the artillery under
Capt Reilly. Is pointed out, though. that
the withdrawal OF this ammunition from the
Manila arsenal does net leave II as fully sup
Piled as 1t should be should there be a pro-
!onged struggle in China thai would necessi,,
ta,e furthr shipments Secretary Root said
this afternoon that the Ordnance Department
had not called his a, ,tention to such condition
OF Affairs IL is probable however. that In view
or the representations made by army officers
an inquiry " u be made to ascertain the qu4n.
tit,s Of artillery ammunitiol now on hand
with a view 10 providing for the future. The
War Department admits that the artillery Ia in
bad shape. but plans for improving It are now
issued calling attention to the n ed II suit
able men or the artillery. rhe order says:
Recruits are required in large numbers for
the artillery. and recruiting officers Will he con-
slant in their efforts to obi ain suitable men for
That arm. Great { re mus, be taken, however.
10 zee that tn amy regulations and the p'lb-
lished instr ctions governing the examination
OF applicants for emil tm,nt arr strictly oh
served. and hat no recruit be- accei ted who Is
not qualified in all respects to rerf0rm the
duties Of a sold er To meet tn special require
ments OF tie artillery recruits. for that arm
should be young. active men, Of a good degree
OF intelligence. aud large proportion OF thOs,
enlisted for the heavy artillery should in ad-
Post recruiting officers will endeavor fiil
vacancies In batter es serv M a their res peCtve
! oStS ard wren authorized bv their department
commander in batteries serving at other posts
in the same territorial derartmsnt
Recruiting officers al city stations VIII re-
ceive instructions from time TO time from the
AdJutant Generals Office regarding enstments
Tor particular artillery reg ments or ba teries.
cred by such Instructions will be rei oried by
them after due eXamna;io ion, TO the Adjutaut-
General OF the Army, with Wow to obtaining
special authority for their enlistment"