The Washington times., 1904-08-31
AMERICA TO BUILD
SHIPS FOR RUSSIA
Lewis Nixon Brings Orders
From st. Petersburg.
PLANS FOR A GREATER NAVY
Gear to Replace All Vessels Lost.
Struggle in the East Has, He
Says, Only Begun.
PLANS FOR A GREATER NAVY

NEW YORK. Aug. sL-To American
designers and TO American shipbuilding
plants Russia is turning in her purpose
to upbuild a truly imperial navy.
Lewis N'Eon. designer Of the battle
ship oregon, the former president and
technical head Of the United States
Shipbuilding Company, has returned
from a visit to St. Petersburg. whittier
he had been invited by the Cars ad-
visers to confer in regard to replacing
the naval vessels lost during the present
war and for experimenting the imperial
navy with the latest and most powerful
types OF warships
Within an hour after he had gone
ashore from the Kaiser Wilhelm II he
was speeding across Staten Island at
breakneSA speed In an automobile Of his
own design and construction, bent upon
supervising some plans for swift scout
boats. TO be run by Bas engines Of his
own devising. in process of construction
at Perth Amboy.
When seen there he said It gcemed de-
lightful to be back in his own country
again and porting over blue prints of
marine architecture.
Not Going Abroad.
rs it true. as reported. that you are
to spend several years abroad in con-
nectiOn with the rehabilitation of the
Russian navy" he was asked.
"Oh. I love my country so much that
TO nation could pay the price of my
expatriation." was his reply. II went
abroad to introduce the standard motor,
in which am deeply interested. and to
the development of which I am giving
all my energies. The gas engine has
come to stay. and I shall not rest con-
tent till I have sent a vessel across the
ocean with standard engines under con-
ditions that viii prove its advantage
over steam. confidently expect to see
the largest vessels driven by such en-
gines. using gas made on board from
coal or oil"
But. as to your trip. You went only
10 Russia, and IL was understood that
you were especially invited to go to st.
Petersburg
My trip was perfectly satisfactory. I
am back here for short stay. I want
to vote and to work for the election OF
Judge Parker. whom ! have known and
respected for many years. Later I shall
go back TO Europe for an indefinite
period.
How is the war regarded in Russia -
With what impressed me as a digni-
fed, bun calm and patient confidence"
VIII Russia build large navy?'
Like American Ships.
The men I'm charge Of Russian ar
fairs will. OF course provide a navy
adequate to the. needs of the empire.
feel sure that the lessons Of the present
war will result in greater advantage to
the factories Of this country than any
other. There is going TO be a tremen-
dous impetus to American products"
do you refer 10 the plants OF the de-
funct United States Shipbuilding Com
pany?"
"Oh, no; not particularly. The plants
Of tlsat combination are peculiarly fitted
20 work out certain demands TO great
advantage and profit I believe the fu-
ture is full Of hope for the shipbuilding
industry generally, though a very de-
cided difference in mana cement must
take place that they may reap the
benefits"
The feeling toward Great Britain is so
intense that no orders for naval vessels
can be expected on the Clyde. Germany
IS so busy with mercantile marine under
talkings that Il IS not thought Russia
would give any commission TO her neigh
Dor.
In France the building OF battleships
and cruisers has been so slow that the
Cars advisers do not seem 10 have
considered the French shipyards as pos
sibilities.
Cronstadt IS not large enough 10 do
the immense amount of work desired.
In this country the best. most recent,
and most powerful. albeit unfortunate,
naval vessels have beer constructed for
Russia, notably the Retvizan and
Nariag. The conduct OF the American
Warships in the Cuban war commended
them strongly TO the Russian military
students.
These are the circumstances that lead
fnH "a afe
sanCc in naval construction in this
country for Russia and indicate the
feason why he was invited to go 20
ST Petersburg. He does not feel at
liberty to discuss At present the prob
able purposes OF the Cars war min
isters either in regard TO upbuilding the
s,le present conflict with Japan, but he
does Intimate that the capture OF Port
Arthur would by no means indicate the
end OF the struggle.
Not Weary of War.
With the nations OF the world guar
anteeing the neutrality Of China there is
a feeling OF quiet exultatiOn in Russia
over indications that China may be
tempted to serve as an ally Of Japan.
In that event there would be no rea-
son for Russia to defer sweeping into
Nanchuria by way Of retaliation, and
che would feel herself well within her
rights in doing So
Russia is only just beginning TO call
upon her reserves. Mr.. Nixon observed
and her tremendous agricultural and
mineral resources. besides the enormous
stores OF gold in her vaults and her
great population, make the present mo.
ment only ths beginning OF the conflict
Tor the supremacy OF eastern Asia
The birth OF the heir TO the throne IS
. 70 have a very far-reaching effect Mr.
Nixon believes. The Gar has decreed
amnesty 20 many, has indicated a policy
or kindness 20 Finland, has promised
other changes in Russian internal policy
and. most Of all. has indicated that the
future Is 10 find American energies vel
coined on both sides OF the Ural Noun
tains
lie looks to "A surprising development
OF American trade relations In Russia
within a short time, and especially 70
a revival OF shipbuilding IN every part
or this country
Mr.. Nixon is deeply interested in local
and national politics. He hopes thai
some man like District Attorney Jerome
viii be named for governor by the
Democrats. mo better man could be
found, both as a vote Better and as a
man. said he. Il heard him. Lamont
Shepard Grout. and Mcclellan dis
eussed while was abroad, he con-