Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-10-24
OUR BIC NAVAL GUNS
Admiral O'Neil Makes 4 Report on
Our Ordnance.
LITTLE USE FOR SUBMARINE BOATS.
Records Of Twenty Court. Martial Murder
Cases In the Philippines Report Of
Acting Quartermaster Gen.
eral Kimball.

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sral Kimball.
Washington, Oct. 23.-1ncreased ef-
fciency in our big naval guns must
be looked for from the use Of heavier
projectiles and the production Of
powder possessing high ballistic
qualities, rather than from an in
crease in the weight and dimensions
of the guns themselves, says Rear
Admiral Charles O'Neil, chief of the
naval bureau Of ordnance, in his an
nual report. The latest types Of
guns are SO large and heavy, he says,
that it is inadvisable to make an in
crease in either respect, and the bu-
reau now will confine itself to de-
yeloping weightier projectiles and
powder of greater energy. Admiral
O'Neil believes that the ordnance
equipment of the United States ma
val vessels is fully up to the highest
standard maintained abroad for ves-
sells of corresponding age and class,
and says he knows of no guns aAoat,
or soon to be put afoat, equal in
energy to those manufactured for the
United States navy.
Admiral O'Neil believes that the
subject Of submarine boats is being
given undue prominence. If these
boats are shown to have any value
he says it will be as an adjunct to
the system of coast defense. They
cannot and will not, he continues,
take the place of naval vessels of
regular type or render less number
necessary.
The estimates accompanying the
report aggregate S10,o02,0O0, the
largest items being for armor and
armament, S6,OOO,OOO, and navy yard
plants and ammunition, S2,423,O00.
Court. Martial Gases In the Philippines.
Washington, Oct. 3D. The records
in 20 court-martia cases wherein the
charge was murder have been re.
ceived at the war department from
the headquarters of the division of
the Philippines. In the majority Of
the eases sentences of death by hang
ing were imposed and approved. All
of them bore features of unusual
barbarity and cruelty, in some so
marked as to warrant special men,
tion. In one of the latter five ma
tives, members of IN armed band of
outlaws, entered the home Of a ma
tive named Ragudo, seized and bound
his son, hanged him up by rope
and tied his father and mother by
their elbows to raftpr They de-
manded money of the captives, and
the forthcoming amount not being
deemed sufficient, they wrapped rags
saturated with oil about his feet and
legs and set his clothing afre. For
two hours the torture was continued,
blows from the butts of the rifles,
flats of bolos and fists being rained
on the helpless captive, while, to
add to his suffering, his young daugh-
ter was struck down by a blow from
a bolo on her head. ut is difficult
to believe" says Gen. Chaffee. in his
review of this case, that human de-
pravity and degeneracy can sink to
such depths as shown in this fiendisf
deed Ragudo fingered in agony from
the effects of his torture for fivs day.
and then died. All five of the natives
were sentenced to death.
Washington, Oct. 23.-1he army IL
now in possession of khaki cloth
for uniforms which is proof against
sun, washing and perspiration, SO far
as color goes, according to state.
ment in the annual report of Acting
Quartermaster General Kimball. But
the cotton khaki-dyed shirts have not
proved a success and some shirts are
being made for trial of wooden ma.
terial. For tropical use the army
blanket is now being made much
lighter than the old standard. The
white tents have gone for all time
and khaki-dyed tentage is the rule
in the army now. No more white
tents will be purchased. Last year
81, 475,720 was expended for horses,
mules and wagons and there were
shipped to the Philippines and China
1881 cavalry horses, 4,337 horses foy
mounted infantry, 252 artillery
horses, 3,513 draft mules and 1855
pack mules. The report deals at
length with the transport service and
points out that experience has de.
veloped skill in handling and ship.
ping animals, so that the losses now
are very small.