The Saint Paul globe., 1900-05-09
STARTLING FACTS PRESENTED To
THE SENATE IN a SPECIAL
SECRET SESSION
MAI REVOLUTlOy!Z] WARFARE
AMERICAN NAVAL OFFICER IN
VENTS A SHELL THAT CUTS
ARMOR LIKE WOOD
TESTS OF IT ARE MADE
Senate VIII Consider the Purchase
of ArmOr Plate for New War
ships Behind Closed
Doors Today.

WASHINGTON, May S.-Some facts. al
most startling in their Importance, were
laid before the senate today in secret ex-
ecutive session at the conclusion Of The
regular open session. They related, 1t is
understood, to the invention Of a shell by
prominent officer of the United State;
liavy-a shell superior In every essential
quality to any now in use, eitt er by this
or by any other government. The qulIity
Of penetration possessed by the shell IS
said to be so great that no armor now
manufactured in the United States or
abroad has sufficient resistan to with
stand 1t.
The facts, which were in possession of
only a few senators, were deemed so i'm
portant that the senate decided to con-
slider them in secret session. Today, aft
er the naval bill had been laid aside for
the day, Mr.. Tillman asked for a secret
session, in order that he might explain to
the senate why he desired the armor plate
matter to be discussed in secret. When
the doors were closed he explained that
several days ago he had offered a resolu-
tion calling upon the secretary Of the
navy to send to the senate for it's infor-
nation details of tests made of armof
dian Head. No answer to that inquiry
had been received, and, in all human
probability, none would be received.
SECRET IS IMPARTED.
1t seems Mr.. Tillman called at the navy
department, and was informed that It
would be unwise at this time to make
public details of tests he had asked for,
as it would place in the hands, not only
of the senate, but Of representatives OF
foreign governments, Of information that
properly belonged to the United State 3,
He was informed that ADMIRAL ONeiH,
chief Of the bureau of ordnance, had en-
conducting a series of tests at Indian
Head, the results of which were very re-
markabe. He said tests of ali sIits OF
armor, including Krupp armGr, had been
made, with view of discovering Their
effectiveness against a new shell, when
! had been invented by an officer of the
navy No piece of armOr submitted TO
the test, it is understood, was able 10
withstand the test.
LIKE BULLETS IN WOOD.
This shell, fired from high-pres ura
guns, penetrated the armor almost as bull
let's fired from a Frag- Jorgenseu rifle
would penetrate ordinary wood. The diff
ferent armor plates split at the poiGt OF
contact. 1t was said this was true OF
the Krupp armOr as well as other aTmor
tested. The shell which was so effective
was not described-indeed, the navy de-
partment is guarding jealousy all details
concerning its construction.
The argument of Mr.. Tillman is that,
with such a projectile, the details OF
which would sooner or later become
known to the outside world, II woui not
be the part of wisdom for congress to en-
ter into contracts to purchase the hsh-
priced armor, unless it could be so inn
proved as to resist proJectlles of the kind
used at Indian Head.
Feeling that more or less Of the matter
concerning the tests recently made by the
government would be used in he dchat3
upon the armor question, Mr.. Tillman
suggested that 1t would be desirable to
consider the subject in secret.
The senate agreed with him, and to-
morrow the armor plate viii be the mat
ter discussed behind closed doors.
MR.. PECK'S FIGURES.
The detailed statement sent to the SEN
ate yesterday of the cost of the Paris ex-
position commission from the date Of is
organization to Dec. 81 lS99 shows that
the total amount paid for salaries was
$l67 76S, and for travelling eXpens 9 S53,397.
There are number Of items charged In
a lump, as for instance furniture and
office incidentals, $4,000; newspapers.
press clippings, photograp phs. messenger
service, cab hire, express and freight
charges. $4,000; temporary services OF
craftsmen, $l0,477. The commissicner gem
eral Mr. Ferdinand w. Peck has re-
ceived S11,03l as salary, and 1924 as traV-
cling expenses, a total of $14.755
CABINET DISCUSSES NEELEY.
The only matter Of interest which came
before today's cabinet meeting was the
alleged heavy shortage in the acc cunts
of Charles F. Neeley, formerly treasurer
of the postoffice department. OF Cuba.
Neeley has been arrested In Rochester, N.
Y, and the question arose as TO whether
the United States or Cuba was RESPONSE
BILE for the amount of defalcatiol. It
seemed to be the opinion Of all the mem
bers present that, as Neeey was appoint
ed by the United States, and that, In ad-
ministering the affairs Of the island, this
government is acting, in a sense, as a
trustee, 1t therefore Is responsible fo@ the
shortage, and can proceed against Neel-
| ey's bondsmen for the amount invO.ved.
1t was practically settled, too, that Neeley
would be taken back to Havana for trial
before civil tribunal. 1t IS expected that
the prisoners counsel will contest any ef-
| fort TO return him to Havana, but II IS
the opinion Of the attorney general that
IL p6 oh he