New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-29
Uncle Sam Locks Up
Krags, Won t Sell

krdgS, Won I Sell
from stan Correspondent; OF The TrIbunsl
Washington. March 2S.-"Not
chance" was the substance of the re-
marks Of General William Crozier
chief Of ordnance Of the United States
Army. when questioned by a Tribune
reporter as to the possibility of the
sale Of the Krag rifles at this time.
In the explanation of the situation
given BY General Crozier may be found
the summary Of the opinions expressed
BIZ various officials OF the War Depart
ment. from the Secretary down.
The government always has used
extreme care in disposng Of con
domned arms" said the general.
whenever any quantity Of rifles have
teen for sale the ultimate destination
Of the weapons has been the subject OF
searching inquiry. That has been in
order TO be suge that such material
would not fall into the hands Of an
"Since the war began this depart
mont has been approached by innu-
merable spectators who were anxious
TO turn the Krag rifles over to the
warning nations.
Sale Forbidden During War.
$50 much pressure was brought TO
lear in various quarters that Secre-
tary Garrison determined 70 settle me
question once and for all. Hence his
order Of January forbiddinS the sale
cf rifles while the war lasts.
Prior TO that time it was compare
lively easy for anybody 20 obtain
single rifle. All that was required oy
is was to be convinced that the gun
was wanted for legitimate purpose
If a citizen wished TO procure rlne
for personal practice, there was no
objection to selling him one.
National guard officers we're at I'D
crty TO purchase them. We keep a rec
ord of such sales, and such record does
mot show that the c. j. Laughll
whom YOU mention has acquired rihe
OF course, the gun might have been Cd
tanned i'm a roundabout way, but you
NAV he sure that if he has one OF the
rifles il was acquired by perfectly le-
Ultimate methods, and at time when
the order Of the Secretary was not IN
force"
As matters stand now, General Crozier
said. il would be impossible for any
body TO obtain a krag rifle from the
government without his knowledge. All
orders for deliveries must he referred
70 him. and he intends 20 see that the
Krags remain where they arc.
The general recalled the trouble arts
inc from the sale of rifles 20 the
French government following the Civil
War. The sales were made 10 b.
Remington E. Sons, rife manufacturers,
and the arms were sold TO France by
that firm As a result an investigation
was conducted, under the direction OF
Senator Carl Schurz.
The FIVE points that the invcstI-
gators set out to determine were:
I. We're the sales authorized By law =?
=. We're they made with view to the
best interests of the United States gov
eminent?
3. We're they made without prefer
ences 10 any purchaser or class OF pur-
chasers?
4. We're sales made under such cir
cumstanccs as 20 violate the obligations
of the United States as neutral power
pending the war between Germany and
France?
!. Did any officer OF the government
Of the United States share any prohts
or advantages Of such sales or derive
any benefit therefrom
Experience Then Lesson Now.
The inquiry showed that. the rifles
were legally sold and that the inter
osts Of the government had been guard
Cd Also II was brought out that no
preferences had been shown TO the pur-
chasers.
The question Of involving the neu-
tralitv OF the Unied States had arisen
from a report that the Remngtons
had been acting as agents for the
French government, and that the sale,
therefore. had virtually been made to
France. The evidence submitted proved
concusively that AZ the time OF the
sale the Remingtons had not been act
ing as French agents.
The net sum received by the govern
mont for the munitions was S9.4O9,-
3O7 66. and the expenses OF the trans
portation amounted TO 39.63i.i' Al
though the Iame Of a high army Of
fcer was mentioned in connection with
the affair. the investigation completely
exonerated him. A minority report.
fled at the time. criticised those who
engineered the sale for not giving more
detail in the report OF disbursements.
General Crozier said that the above
incident had been a lesson TO govern
ment officials. and that it had been
recalled frequently since the Krag mat
ter came up. His attitude, taken in
conjunction with a strong statement
made 10 The Tribune By Secretary
Garrison. doubtless will discourage the
gun brokers and effectively th"art any
further attempts 20 dispose OF the
Krag5.