The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-27

Krupp armor of the first class for 1920
ton. The Krupp process involves the
Harvey patent. the validity of which is
now under consideration by the courts:
and it is further agreed that the Govern
ment will assume in addition any liability
for the krupp process not exceeding
S24.32 a ton for Krupp royalty, and not
exceeding s11.20 for Harvey royalty. The
maximum price to the Government is
therefore s455.52 ton, subject to diminu-
ton in case of any reduction in the fore
going royalties.
THE bid of the above companies for
this class of armor was $3.50. and the
price originally asked s545.
THE Midvale Company some time ago
withdrew its bid but 1t would have been
unable in any event to furnish armor in
due season for the Maine class of battle
ships. Had it not withdrawn its bid. it
is probable that some arrangement might
have been made for the distribution
among the three companies of the manu-
facture of the armor other than that of
the Maine class. Its bid however. was
of value in enabling the Department to
secure the above large reduction.
The price of other class armor is the
same as heretofore-Si00."
Work of Marines in China.
The following reference is made to the
service of the marines in Pekin:
The annals of history present few ex-
amples of more dramatic interest than the
story of the beleaguered legations in Pc
kin. from June 20. 1900 the date on which
the German Minister was killed and the
siege began, until August II, when the
allied forces entered the Chinese capital.
Official and unofficial reports, and rartic-
ularly the dispatches Of our Minister
show that the American marines bore
their full share in the burdens of defence
during this memorable siege. The United
States legation was situated just inside
of and near to the wall of the Tartar
City. When the legations were assaulted
the American detachment Immediately &C.
cupied a position on the city wall. a STRAIT
egic point of great Importance; estab-
lished an improvised sandbag fort there,
which enabled them to defend the section
of wall Immediately commanding the lega-
tons, and, although repeatedly attacked
by overwhelming numbers, and on two
occasions driven for a few minutes from
the wall. they were never permanently
dislodged, but held this vital position
until relief came"
OF the fight at Tientsin, Secretary Long
says: ITO record the instances of gal
lantry displayed by our officers and men
at the capture of Tientsin would almost
be equivalent to a publication of the en-
tire roster.
.'Of the part borne in this hazardous eS-
petition by the American sailors, honor
able mention is made in all reports. The
British admiral himself. in a letter to the
senior United States naval officer at Taku,
says:
~ cannot conclude my letter without
expressing 10 you, sir the high admiration
l have for Capt. B. H. McCalla, who ac-
companied us in command of your officers
ard men. Their post was usually in the
advanced guard. where their zeal and go
were praised by all. / regret to state that
Captain McCalla was wounded in three
places. but considering the gallant way
in which ne exposed himself / am only
equally surprised and thankful that he is
alive
Need Of Officers for Sen Duty.
Speaking of the need of an increase in
the navy personnel. the report says:
THE need of officers for sea duty is
steadily growing. and at times the Depart
ment is seriously embarrassed by lack OF
necessary officers to properly man vessels
required fer immediate service.
This need Will be still greater when
vessels authorized or building are COM
pleted and ready for commission. The re-
port of the Bureau of Navigation repre-
sents that it would be impossible at the
present time to man our available feet
were an emergency to occur demanding
such action. Attention is earnestly in
vitcd to the detailed suggestions of this
report and to the statement that with the
completion of vessels now under construc-
tior an immediate increase will be needed
in the enlisted force of not less than s.
coo men.
For many years 1t has been found diff
ficuIt to enlist a sufficient number of the
seamen class to supply the demand. To
obyiate this difficulty the Department de-
cided to train its own seamen from raw
material, and during the past year has
assigned five vessels to the special duty of
fitting landsmen between the ages OF
twenty-one and twenty-siX for the higher
naval ratings.
This method differs from that of the
system in that it opens the
door to the enlistment and immediate
training of young men who possess little
or no nautical knowledge or sea experience
and gives them an opportunity to acquire
the habit of the sea and knowledge of
the practical mechanical appliances which
are found on board the modern man-of-
war This has been carried out during
the past year to a greater degree than
ever before and the experiment has been
successful.
Certain enlisted men who possess the
proper qualifications are given course of
instruction at the Washington Navy Yard
10 qualify them for seamen gunners With
experienced officers to instruct them and
with the facilities of the gun shop at their
disposal these men. as a general rule, are
qualified at the end of the course for as
signment to ships in commission. One
hundred and twenty-three men, the ma
jority of them so qualified. have taken this
course during the past year.
IAN additional course for petty officers.
seamen, and apprentices is prescribed at
the naval torpedo station. This course
lasts about six months. including instruc-
ton in electrical work. explosive and tor
pedo material, torpedo manipulation, div
ing, and practical work on board torpedo
boats. Eighty men have been given the
course during the past year"
An important recommendation is that
the office of vice admiral be revived, as
follows:
Believing that the development of the
navy is such as TO warrant a full official
organization. and that the unity. COM
pleteness. and efficiency OF this will be