The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-08

The division of customs and insular af-
fairs of the War Department has made
public summary of its regular monthly
bulletin, giving the commerce of the Island
of Cuba for the seven months ended July
81. This summary shows that the total
value of merchandise imported into the
island during the period named amounted
in value to $43, .055. of which amount
sl.S5l 443 was admitted free of duty. OF
the total imports into the island S3{ 264. 109
worth entered the port of Havana The
imports from North America amounted to
So. 49,, oil. The total value of merchandise
exported during the period named was
1855. 492. classified as follows: Products
of agriculture, $10.374, 500; manufactured arr
ticles, sS,0l9,2SO; products of the forest.
$176,S72; products of the mines. SAC, 052 and
articles not classified to the value of S944,-
479.
Tobacco being leading article of export
IL VIII be interesting to know that leaf
tobacco TO the value OF $5973,557 was ex-
ported from the island during the period
named. OF this amount. s5.0i6,7 was taxi
en- by the United States. The expectation
OF cigars during the e,I period e named amount
S3.5OS.ll6 was taken by the United States.
The expectation of cigarettes during the
period named amounted in value TO s92 sos
OF this amount S21,239 was taken by the
United States. The expectation of all other
tobacco during the period named amounted
In value to 500, 49, of which amount So 773
XXX
The Navy Department has initiated a
movement to secure an international agree
ment upon a uniform system of naval
salutes. The greatest diversity now exists
in the practice of the various nations and
the friction engendered by quarrels between
naval commanders over the salutes has
given them in some instances almost the
Importance OF international incidents For
| instance. while Admiral Kempff was lying
| at Taku, on his flagship Newark an ex-
| change that took place between himself
| and English captain, owing to the lat
ters declination TO give Kempff the same
| number OF guns which had been accorded
| by Russian ship. gave rise to a good deal
| of feeling at the time.
| The British naval salutes are each less by
two guns than the corresponding American
| salutes. The same difference exists be-
| tween the military salutes of the two ma
| tions. The French Salutes are like those of
none of the great powers of the world. In
| fac, few OF the powers correspond in their
practice in this matter. In view of the mis-
| understanding which might arise from this
| condition of affairs IL has been considered
advisable by the Navy Department to bring
| the matter TO the attention of the State De-
| partment and suggest that the other gov
ernments be communicated with. with a
! view to their appointing representatives to
| an international conference To secure -tho
| adoption of a system of uniform salutes
| The time for the completion of the
| twelve new torpedo boats under construc-
| ton again has expired and movement is
! on foot to grant the builders six months
more time. BY the contract they should
| have beenc completed Oct. last year Last
spring a years extension was granted
| dating back to Oct. /. This period is now
up. so that another extension will be neces-
sary, s none of the boats are near comple-
tor. Six OF them are not yet in the water
The chief cause of the delay lies in the in
ability of the builders to secure the ma
chinery.
Rear Admiral Hichborn chief construc-
tor. has submitted to the Navy DEPART
ment a report on the Bache. bearing upon
the utility OF sheathing naval vessels which
has given rise TO the liveliest controversy
among naval officers. The admrars con-
ship are as follows: ITO summarize n
may be stated that this vessel not orig
inally intended TO be shestthed, was nine
years after her launching fitted with svs
TEN of sheathing which involved a neglect
of some of the most obvious precautions i'm
such work. She served thirteen years con-
tinuously without an examination of or re-
pairs 10 her sheatbing or sheathing bolts
and Is to-day In active service. though
nearly thirty years old. with her frames
and plates In such condition, through in
ternal corrosion In the machinery and
bunker spaces, as would have long since
| compelled her abandonment or extensive
rebuilding had she not been sheathed."
Xxx
The Navy Department has received re-
! ports on the recent naval marauvera ~