The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 18, 1895, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1S, 1895. ; —— e that will Tank with any state paper issued by any administration.” | Voorhees (D.) of Indiana said: “Iin-| dorse every word of the message. It strikes the right key and will meet with a sympa- thetic response in the heart of every American.” NOT PLEASED. Says There Is an Unpleasant Sting in the Message. WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 17.—At last the admimistration has made public’ its foreign policy. The message of the Presi- | dent on the Venezuelan dispute between | Great Britain and the United States was | z to the Senate and House to-day and | created the liveliest interest, not to say | excitement. The message was well received by mem- bers of both parties in both the Senate and the House. Republicans and. Democrats | alike applauded its réading at both ends of the Capitol. The anproval, however, has | Dot continued to be universal. Some dis- | satisfaction has been manifested. This | Vi of the message was expressed by | Senator Perkins, wiho said to a CALL corre- spondent to-night: “When T heard the paper read I was as much entht tic as any of my neighbors in the Senate chamber. The message abounded in patriotic utterances, and seemed to meet every requirement of the ation. But little by little, as I pon- ed over 1t, 1t gradually dawned on me 1t there was a sting in it which spoiled whole effect. It is easy to see that in ymending the appointment of a com- m to investigate the boundary con- v, th* President seeks to temporize 1 delay matters until after the elections. mmission would go to Venezuela, ain to examine archives, then | , and at the end of twelve hs, or after the Presidential election, y d make their report. By that responsibility might devolve | on another President’s shoulders, but | d would have benefited in “public | estimation, and would close his career and s *Grover the Great,’ eking his own re-clec- me alone will tell, but, neverthe- his message of to-day, while it sounds | nd patriotic, is only a bluff, which opes will not be ‘called’ before the — . COMMENT OF THE PRESS. ¢Let the Good Work Go On,” Says the New York Sun. EW YORK, N. Y omment as follow Mr. Cleveland has borrowed | form, but all the same it is the | torm and the country wiil | papers ¢ nan who wears it. For the as enunciated in the r a line or consider here, | people of the United States are solid And the continuation s and important business 3 will be watched and | 1stained with an faltering spirit of de and determination to uphold the terests of the United States. Let the rk go on. Times: As it stands to-day in the e of tk Pre: nt it is a clear, s-ertion that the United States will ting less, to ndependent state on continent. To that principle, soon or e Great Britain will assent. ple in any event, the Ameri- and. We do not know that jingo’ Senator or Representative has i ed the Monroe doctrine” in more and u stakable terms. The Presi- spoken straightforward, manly which are worthy of and which we command the approval and en- iastic support of the people of the late, we beli By d: “Both in this country and {es Venezuela. | our course of duty. | that region they res { peans in the entire decide exactly what those merits are, and that the report of this commission shall form the basis for the further action of the Unired State: “Whatever we may think about the spirit in which England has dealt with this ques- tion, we do not desire or intend to do her the least injustice. If she can substantiate her ciaims there is nothing for us to do in On the other hand, if the Venezuelan contention be correct there has been a flagrant Britisk. encroachment upon the soil of a friendly republic. We have tried to have th: ne of fact deter- minad by im.artial arbitration. Vene- zuela has consented to that, but England has not. The question must be settled in | some way in order that we may know how to act, and since the British Government refuses to submit it to arbitration there is nothing left for us but to investigate it for ot s. e shall apvroach this work without prejudging the result in anv way. If we find that the British are right we shall be perfectly willing to recognize the fact, and to leave them to maintain their position by any means they choose. If we find that the Venezuelans are right, we shall be conironted with the grave duty cf uphold- ing the Monroe dectrine against what will then be a manifest violation of its letter and spirit, and we shall not hesitate as to The attitude of Eng- land has forced usto assume the role of arbitrators, which we shonld have pre- jerred to see filled by an international tribunal, and we must play the part with judicial fairness. “In deciding upon the merits of the case it will be proper for us to take into consid- eration the progress of settlement as well as the claims based on original discovery. | During the negotiations of the British and American Peace Commissioners at Ghent, 1n 1814, the British representatives insisted that the United States should abandon a great part of its most valuable territory, bordering on the lakes, to the Indians When asked what would become of the 100,000 American citizens then settled in ponded, ‘Of course, they must shift for themselves.” “We do not adopt this harsh position. If any part of the disputed territory be permanently settled by British colonists, and not occuvied by Venezuelans, that fact ought to have weight in deciding upon the proper boundary line. The English argements make much of the alleged fact that there are 40,000 British subjects west of the Essequibo, and the casual reader might gather the impression that they The truth is, how- ever, that there are not that many Euro- colony of British Guiana, disputed territory and all. Of the total population of the colony in 1891, amounting to , there were 2533 born |in Europe, 9.615 Africans, I 5 East Indians, mainly coolies, and 3417 Chinese. The other 80 ere miscellaneous na- tives of the colony. The composition of this interesting population is a_considera- | tion to be taken into account when we are asked whether we intend to favor ‘Anglo- Saxon i ation or Spanish-American barbarism. S LOYALTY OF IRISHMEN. National Alliance Ready to Put an Army in the Field. NEW YORK, N. Y., Dec. 17.—The fol- lowing manifesto has been issued by the | executive council of the Irish National Alliance of America and a copy of it sent to President Cleveland: *To the members of the Irish National Alliance and the American public: It has has been publicly charged that the policy of the Irish National Aliiance isan Irish policy of hatred to England, and is there- fore contrary to the interests of America. This calls into question the loyalty to the republic of our people. “We declare it incontrovertible that no more bitter, more perfidious or more un- relenting enemy than Great Britain to the United States has ever existed. Fngland has ever been the vengeful foe of Ameri- itain the people and their official representatives wili havean opportunity to | reflect soberly and patriotically on an issue | Menacing as is the aspect have now assumed, it is to hoped that the issue may be settied without disturbing the friendly relations ex between the two countries. | CHICAGO, Dec. 17.—The Inter-| Ocean (R.) will say: ! “The President’s message clearly indi- | cates a determination for the enforcement | of the Monroe doctrine. If the territory in dispute belongs of right to a sister | republic, then the United States is bound for the protection of its own form of gov- | rnment against foreign invasions or in- trigue to prevent new occupation or inva- | sion of any part of this continent by an European power.” Times-Herald (Independent): “The | e The to us Government whether or not any | may decline to the velidity of the Monroe | ) 3 We are not capable | of the puerility of entreating recognition | We are prepared to alidity with the entire people. Its asser- tion and enforcement are necessary to our f in the world. cord (independent): In a mes- sage which, for force and directness, has not been sur v any of Mr. Cleve- Jand’s previous state papers, the President | has reaffirmed the Monroe doctrine and struck the keynote of the Venezuelan controversy with an emphasis which | will ring with startling effect in the ears | of the British Ministry. If Congress re- | s steadfast in support of the Presi- t's policy the effect of this message | will be the final establishment of the Monroe docirine beyond any nation’s power to dispute. The Tribune (Republican): To Lord Salisbury’s claim President Cleveland makes a strong, dignified and able reply, ‘ the meaning of which is that th_is country will “stand pat”—that s, that Congress should wvroceed to en- force the principle of the Monroe doctrine as a matter of vital concern to the people | and to the safety of the Govrnment. There need be no fear that this Republican Con- 1 not stand by the President in otic American attitude. If Great Britain refuses to accept the Monroe doc- trine let her bring on her bears. She will find Uncle Sam ready to receive them. s AS AMERICANS HOPED. Comment of the ¢‘Examiner’’ on the Message. 2 In an editorial under the caption, “The Issue Joined,” the Examiner says: “President Cleveland has taken precisely the ‘stand in his Venezuelan message which Americans who are not jingoes, but who are keenly alive to the honer, the interests and tie traditions of their coun- try, hoped he would take. He does rot bluster nor threaten, but he lays (onm quite unmistakably the established poiicy United States, and calls upon Con- gress to assist in its enforcement. He pro- poses a perfectly plain and logical plan of action. As everything depends upon the merits of the boundary dispute, he pro- voses that a commission be appointed to gress wi | when can liberty and republi institutions. “Imbued with this conviction and see- ing that Great Britain has avowed her intention to trample upon the Monroe dactrine by her attempt to rob Venezuela of her territory, and has dared to yio- Jate the 1ntegrity of our territory in Alaska, we hereby offer, as a proof of our loyalty and devotion to the country of which we are citizens, to place at the disposalof the President of the United States without de- lay 100,000 soldiers, as brave as bave ever shouldered a rifle and every man of whom is a believer in the princivles and teach- ings of the Irish National Alliance. “Our army, which is now organized, is ready to serve the American Republic 1n any part of this continent, and should the eniorcement of the Monroe doctrine need its aid will, either on Irish soil or English ground, establish the fact that the in- trepidiry, the valor and the determination of the Irish brigade will again prove the loyalty of Irishmen to the United States, ““We pray that the day may soon come we, the exiles of our own land, shall as! in driving the foe to whom we bear undying hatred from Irel and. We remain, “WrLriayx Lymax, President, New York. “Joux P. & Secretary, New York. “P. V. Frrzratrick, Treasurer, Chicago.” o ABLE AND TIMELY. That Is the Governor’s Opinion of the Message. SACRAMENTO, CaL., Dec. 17.—When questioned by a CALL representative as to the probable amount of armed resistance that could be put into the field in this State should war with England result on account of the Venezuela boundary dis- pute, Colonel Peeler, assistant adjutant- general, said: “At the present time, under the reor- eanization, the State militia consists of a force not to exceed 53800 men.”” These were fitted for instant service. 1t had been his observation that nearly 16 per cent of the National Guard changed its individuality every year. Should this prove correct there should be within the confines of the State at least 50,000 men who at some time had been connected with the National Guard and possessed some training in a military line. Other available volunteer forces were of an un- known quality, but the probability was that at least 50,000 more men would be available. In case of war the President is- sued a call for volunteers who were pro rated among the States according to their military strength and population. These volunteers were merged directly into the regular army. The National Guard in time of war would consist of sixty-nine companies, would be armed and accoutered by the State, giving an available force of at least 7000 men. For the arming of a greater force the Government would be obliged to provide all equipments, and it would neces- sitate considerable time to drill them into available shzpe. In speaking of the martial spirit of avail- able California material Colonel Peeler said: “There is no doubt in my mind that in a call to arms in case of war the martial spirit would be up in arms.” The following message was received in | | this city from Governor Budd to-night: “President Cleveland’s message is able and timely. It voices the sentiment of our people and will have the_indorsement of Congress. England will probably arbi- trate. Whatever results, a clear interpre- tation of the Monroe doctrine will be writ- ten in the international code. The stand taken by President Cleveland will chal- lenge the admiration of the world.” READY FOR SERVICE. War Vessels at Mare Island Avail- able, if Requred. VALLEJO. CaL., Dec. 15.—The monitor Monadnock will ke ready forservice within the next three months, though quite a force of men are engaged putting in her gun carriages in the turrets. The guns are at the yard and will be put aboard as soon as possible. The machinery is in good working order. When she had her dock trial a few weeks agoevery part of the machinery worked to perfection. It was found that the fire and engine-room was too close, therefore ventilators are now be- ing run up through the wardroom and after cabin, to make it more comfortable in the fireroom. The cabins are complete with the exception of putting in the furri- ture, which is all made. Allof her boats are ready and they are pronounced among the best that have been made at the yard. Equipment stores and outfits are ready and the magazine is complete. If it were necessary the Monadnock could be made ready for servicein less than the time mentioned, as many things could be completed after being commis- sioned. Her electric service will be the most modern aboard any of the new ships. The most of her armament and ammuni- tion is at the yard. The long rifles are ly- ing under tents on the wharf, but well pro- tected from the weather. [ The monitor Monterey is lying in the stream coaled, and with the exception of a few minor repairs could be away from the navy-yard in a few days’ notice. Her complement of officers and men is com- plete and stores are on board. The monitor Comanche is all ready for service, and could be placed in sea-going service within two weeks’ time. She has two 15-inch Dahlgren guns in her turrets. She was docked a few months ago, but be- fore going from the yard would again re- quire docking and painting. If fitted with modern rifled-gun s she would beequally as good as some of the later-made momtors. The cruiser Boston is all ready for sea and on either Wednesday or Thursday the regular board of officers will inspect her. She is now considered to be one of the best cruisers afloat. Since being at the yard she has had a thorough overhauling. Offi- cers and crew are aboard. The ship is ing in the stream, coaled and pro- sioned. The Adams, a wooden ship, came out of the drydock to-day and will be ready to go in commission at any moment. The crew now on board of the Ranger is expected to goon board of the Adams. New heaters are being placed throughout the Adams preparatory to her proposed trip north. No officers have yet been assigned to the ship. The Ranger is being stripped of all her running and standing rigging, spars have been sent down and everything is being taken out of her, preparatory to her going out of commission, which will be in a day or two. Extensive repairs are to be made to her. The steel tug Unadilla will have her bay trial day after to-morrow and is expected to be in commission within arother week or so. Work has hardly yet been commenced on the Mohican, bat she could be made available for duty in a few weeks, though she would not be considered in a fit condi- tion for any extended service. The flagship Hartford will not be ready for eighteen months to come. The Alba- tross went in drydock to-day and will be out in another week. The old flagship Peasacola and the Swa- tara are lying dismanteld in rotten row. Both are of wood. The Swatara is of not much account, but the Pensacola could in three or four months’ time be placed in commission and would then be practically as good as when she came in port a few years ago and was put out of commission. R GOVERNOR M’GRAW’S VIEWS. Washington State Ready to Back Up the President. SEATTLE, Wasn., Dec. 17.—Governor John H. McGraw, who is in Seattle to- nizht, said that as a patriotic American citizen he heartily concurred in all the President had to say on the Veneczuela matter. “The Englishman,” Washington's chief executive remarked, referring to Minister Salisbury, “will no doubt have it very thoroughly impressed upon hi m that the Monroe doctrine is a part of the interna- tional code.” The Governor does not think there is any danger of the two great English-speak- ing nations going to war, but when ques- tioned as to what assistance the young State of Washington would give and the condition of her National Guard, he said: “We have fourteen companies of infantry and two troops of cavalry, made up of ex- cellent material and fairly well equipped. The fourteen companies will average fifty men to a company, and under the law they may be increased to the maximum of 100 men. Under thelaw passed by the last Legislature I was compelled to muster out seven companies of infantry and two wroops of cavalry. We would mobilize the full strength of the National Guard at any given point’ on Puget Sound within twenty-four hours.” overnor McGraw, however, referred re- gretfully to the almost defenseless condi- tion of the Pacific Coast. He seemed to realize that a foreign navy could easily drive the people back from their own shores. Federal Judge Cornelius H. Hanford in discussing the message said : +I like the tone of the message and con- sider it an able and statesmanlike doc- ument. At this time it is invaluable asa plain, forcible assertion of the Monroe doctrine and a declaration of true Ameri- can principles. I entertain not a particle of doubt but what the result will beacom- plete recognition and acquiescence in the principles of the Monroe doctrine by all European powers, probably without in- volving actual war, but since the chief executive is now fairly committed I feel that the country will not hesitate to go through war, if necessary, to obtain the results. It 1s true that the principles of the Monroe doctrine have never been pro- mulgated authoritatively by any conven- tion including European powers, but it has for its basis the declaration of our own Government, asserted by President Mon- roe and firmly supported by all succeeding administrations, that this Nation will re- gard as a menace and an unfriendly act any encroachment upon the rights or ter- ritorial domain of any Nation on our side of the Atlantic by any European Govern- ment. European powers being thusnoti- fied of our position are bound to respect the same or assume the responsibility of driving us to use force to maintain it. The President’s message to-day clearly and firmly notifies Great Britain that she must yield assent to the Monroe doctrine rule unless she can destroy it by a victory in an appeal to arms.” —_—— IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. A General Feeling That War Would Be a Great Calamity. VANCOUVER, B. C., Dec. 17.—Military organizations in this province comprise four companies of volunteer artillery, one battery at New Westminster, one at Van- couver and two at Victoria, aggregating not more than 400 men. In addition to this force there is a company of Royal en- gineers stationed at Victoria, bhaving charge of the section of fortifications for the protection of that city. No expression of opinion on Cleveland’s message has yet appeared in the press. The general feeling, however, is that it would be a great calamity for the English- speaking world shouid Great Britain and the United States become embroiled, and that such a conflict would no doubt afford other powers some gratification, as being likely to weaken the two great Anglo- Saxon powers. There are also many peovle who charac- terize the message as jin goism. BRITISH AGGRESSIONS At Last the United States Has Called a Halt in Land- Grabbing. San Francisco, at Least, Is Impregna- ble and Fighting Material Is Plentiful. England has a fairly strong foothold in North America, and of late years has shown great activity in Central and South America. In keeping with the aggressive and colonizing spirit of her people, she has acquired many small strips of terri- tory, and then by force and strategy ex- tended the original possessions to acquire positions of great commercial and mari- time importance. The possessions in Venezuela were ac- quired from Holland in 1814. Itisnot clear that Holland had any title to the territory other than that of holding it by sufferance of Spain. Itis clear, however, that Venezuela never by treaty or other- wise recognized Holland’s right in the premises, but the country claimed was not of sufficient importance then to demand a renewal of treaty rights. Gradually Great Britain encroached on Venezuelan territory, holding fast to every aavantage gained, and now, in a grasping spirit, threatens to extend her boundaries so as to command the outlet of the Orinoco. A writer well versed in British diplo- matic tactics recently wrote for Tur CaLL this view of the case: “British diplomats, well trained in the history of colonial ac- quisitions and the art of letting time de- velop a small holding into a claim to an empire, have kept in view all these years the golden stream of wealth that would ultimately flow into her coffers could she but make good her foothold at the great mouth of the Orinoco and so control the commerce of the tributary regions.’” In Alaska Great Britain is playing the same game that is being played in Vene- zuela. In Egypt and India the game is old, but England never loses a point in playing it. Since President Cleveland in his message to Congress yesterday recommended that Commissioners of the United States should at once establish the boundary lines of Venezuela and Great Britain, and that this country sustain by force, if ne- cessury, the decree of the Commissioners, England must acquiesce in this form of settlement or fight for her coveted terri- tory in Venezuela. The United States has gone too far to recede. The position of the Nation has been defined. Since President Grant notified the British Government that in- demnity for property destroyed by the cruiser Alabama must be paid by Great Britain, no declaration more pointed has gone from Wasbington to any European country than the document which Cleve- land has just transmitted to Congress. In view of these facts, the fighting re- sources of the United States must consti- tute an interesting topic of inquiry. The American soldier is not surpassed anywhere in the world for bravery, skill, intelligence and endurance. The same can be said of the men of the American navy. In pointof conflict where numbers and guns are equal the superior alertness of the American is a great advantage. As fighters they stood a greater percentage of killing at either Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chick- amauga or Gettysburg than the British troops encountered at Waterloo. There were many examples of Americans stand- ing in line and practically fighting a battle of three days’ duration. On the sea they tight as long as the ship floats and then go down with the flag flying. There is just as good material in the American navy to-day as that which won the conflicts which made the names of Paul Jones, Perry and Farragut im- perishable. The chances are that in case of war the Canadian militia might make the first dash and get into New York State before our small standing army and widely scat- tered regiments of the National Guard could be concentrated on the boundary, but the immense preponderance of Ameri- can strength on land would soon repel the militia raids and transfer the combats to Canadian soil. Our end of the fight out here on the Pacific Coast conld be handled in fine style by the National Guard regi- ments of California, Oregon and Washing- ton, sustained by the enlistment of addi- tional regiments. In case of emergency, California could send 70,000 men to British Columbia. Iowa, during the war of 1861- 65, with less population than California has now, sent 70,000 soldiers to the front. In a war with Great Britain lowa would readily raise 70,000 men in seventy hours. There is much talk in England and some 1 this country about tife great British harbor and naval station at Esquimalt from_ which her Majesty’s fleet could emerge and place San Francisco under tribute. Itistrue that vast sumsof money have been expended to make Esquimalt a formidable naval station, but the obser- vation of American officers is to the effect that“it could be taken by land without much opposition. The chances of war are that Americans would get to Esquimalt before the British fleet got to San Fran- cisco. Captain Runcie of the United States army visited that country some time ago and what he saw and heard convinced him that Esquimalt was not the great strong- hold people imagine it to be. On the sea England is much stronger than the United States, but she has such great responsibilities in many parts of the world that she could not concentrate her fleets at once in our waters. She now has on the Pacitic station the Roval Arthur (flagship), a first class protected cruiser; the Sateliite, Wild Swan, Hyacinthe, Nymphe and Liffey. The Pacific squadron of the American navy consists of the Philadelphia, Mon- terey, Boston, Marion, Bennington, Alert and Ranger. The monitor Monadnock is available. The battle-ship Oregon can be ready for action in ninety days. The cruiser Baltimore will be here within a month. Perhaps the British could assem- ble a fleet much more formidable than ours, but Great Britain would require a very powerful squadron to undertake the task of passing the 12-inch rifled guns, the 10-inch guns, the dynamite guns and mor- tar batteries which command the channel and the approach to the Golden Gate. It is quite common talk that a fleet of modern warships could stand off five miles irom the Cliff House and shell San Fran- cisco into ashes. No doubt shells could be thrown into the City, but San Francisco would pot be laid under tribute until the enemy’s fleet passed the channel forts and defeated the Monterey, Monadnock and other harbor defense vessels. It is pre- sumed that the people of San Francisco have the average pluck of Americans, and would not be ready to surrender on the signal of an exptoding shell. The inhabi- tants of Vicksburg were sbelled day and night from May 19 to July 4. 1863. Gun- boats, mortars and land batteries rained shells upon the City, yet the town was not Jaid in ashes. A hostile fleet approaching within effective range for bombarding the City would be exposed to the guns on the bluff at Fort Point. The Asiatic squadron of our navy con- sists of the Charleston, Detroit, Councord, Yorktown, Monocacy, Machias and Petrel. The Olympia, one of the best fighting cruisers of the new -navy, has just joined that squadron, relieving the Baltimore and becoming the flagship of Commodore F. V. McNear. The South Atlantic squadron consists of the Newark (flagship), Castine and Yantic. The European squadron, commanded by Rear-Admiral T. O. Selfridge, consists of the San Francisco (flagship), Minneapolis, New York and Columbia. The North Atlantic squadron, consisting of the Cincinnati, Raleigh and Montgom- ery, will in a short time be re-enforced by the battle-ships Maine and Texas. The new shipsof the United States navy are equipped with the most effective guns evermade. In point of speed and fighting equipment they cannot be surpassed. In case of emergency the fleet can be re-en- forced in a short time by the Indiana, Iowa and Oregon. As a naval power England ranks first in point of ships. She has 274 warships in service, not incluaing torpedo-boats, and has forty-two vessels under construction, of which ten are battle-ships. No doubt the prospects of war will greatly stimulate the building and equip- ment of ships at the navy-yards of the United States. What tkis country can do when events require all the resources which the Nation can command was illustrated during the Civil war. Now, with vastly more wealth and greater facilities, torpedo craft and defense vessels of a formidable character could be put afloat in a short space of time. In the beginning of a con- test with Great Britain some reverses might occur, but as the war progressed and our energies were invoked the spirit of American determination to ‘“even up af- fairs” with Great Britain would accom- plish wonders in navy building and army organization. ok SRR AR SAN FRANCISCO HARBOR. Mendell Holds That the Defenses Are Ample. Of all the American coast cities San Francisco is probably the best prepared to resist a naval demonstration and attack. How successful the defense would be is, of course, a matter of conjecture, though the opinion prevails in army circles that it would require a great many more vessels Colonel than England now has in her Pacific| squadron to make even an impression. New York is probably better defended, so far as the actual numter of guns and other armament employed is concerned, but the geographical situation is not nearly so favorable. During the last two or three years some pretense at puttine Boston and Portiand in proper condition to repel an attack have been made, but so little has been accomplished that they would, perforce, fall easy victims to a fleet of any size. As for the Southern cities, they are practically defenseless. New Orleans, Charleston, Pensacola and Savannah would be taken without much ‘resistance, though the last-named two cities could be placed in splendid condi- tion in six months’ time. Colonel George H. Mendell, recently re- tired from the Government service, and to whom must be given much of the credit for San Francisco’s defenses, from an engineering standpoint, treats lightly the prospect of a war with England. He does not believe that country would un- dertake to fight America at present, but if such a thing should happen he believes that San Francisco is well able to with- stand any attack a British fleet might make, even supposing the entire Pacific squadron be concentrated at this point. “Iam not prepared to believe,” he said last night, “that England would do such an utterly foolish thing as to engage in war with America at the present time. Supposing, however, that such a thing did take place, I think I may safely say that San Francisco is not in the least danger. True, our defenses are not by any means complete, yet on the other hand it must be remembered that this port is a long way from England’s nearest naval station, and consequently it would be hazardous on her partto concentrate any great number of vessels here on a mere venture. “I do not care to express a positive opinion as to the length of time required to compiete the system of harbor defense as contemplated by the War Department, though I believe that it could be done in six months. In fact with men and money the harbor could be placed in sixty days’ time in such condition as to defy any reasonable force which might be brought against us. “As for the defense at Lime Point and the completion of the battery of disap- pearing 10-inch guns near Fort Point, that isa mere matter of rapid transit, combined with aquick work on the part of the en- gineers. Under pressure the thing might be done in thirty days. I think the dyna- mite guns recently erected will do all that is required and expected of tbem. The Fifth Artillery of Colonel Graham’s regi- ment is perfectly trained and fully under- stands the workings of heavy guns. “As I pefore remarked, there is little fear of a war with England. Should the unexpected happen, however, San Fran- cisco is the last place to expect trouble. England’s first and probably only point of attack on the Pacific Coast would be the Puget Sound cities. Tacoma, Seattle, Port Townsend, Everett, Whatcom, Port Angeles and Fairbaven are utterly defense- less. It follows as a matter of course that they would be the first to receive atten- tion, and the warning received from such a demonstration would give the Govern- ment ample time to do all for San Fran- cisco that would be required.”” S AMERICA’S NAVY. Irving M. Scott Presents His Views as to Its Readiness. Irving M. Scott, vice-president and gen- eral manager of the Union Iron Works, talked last night of the condition of the American navy and expressed the belief that, although the present strength was not great, there could be extemporized a sufficient fleet to enable the United States to maintain the prestige of the flag. Con- tinuing, he gave in detail the number of vessels now ready and those which could be readily prepared for war, saying: “We can count on thirty-four now ready, besides six turreted monitors, six gunboats and two battle-ships now being built, making a total of forty-eight. The thirty-four are the following: Philadel- phia, Baltimore, Charleston, Newark, San Francisco, Olympia, Monterey, Indiana, Massachusetts, Oregon, Minneapolis, Co- lumbia, New York, Iowa, Brooklyn, Texas, Maine, Yorktown, Marblehead, Cincin- nati, Raleigh, Machias, Castine, Concord, Bennington, Petrel, Boston, Chicago, At- lanta, Dolphin, Vesuvius, Cushing, Erics- son and Katahdin. “Then there are thirteen of the old Ericsson monitors that could be put in pre- paration by having their turret arrange- ment removed and two 8-inch appearing and disappearing guns placed in a barbette in the hold, making them very formidable vessels in the defense of our bays and har- bors. They draw about twelve feet of water and have a speed of eight knots, They are the Ajax, Canonicus, Mahopac, Manhattan, Wyandotte, Comanche, Cats- kill, Jason, Lebigh, Montauk, Nahant, Nantucket and Passaic. “Five of those turreted vessels being completed just at the end of the civil war were never finished—the Miantonomah, Puritan, Terror, Monadnock and Am- phrite. They are similar to the Monterey and very powerful vessels. “There could be extemporized for cruis- ers and commerce-destroyers the New York, City of Paris, St. Louis and St. Paul. Thev would rank up to the top notch. It would require only the time necessary to furnish them with guns. I should think that within thirty days they could be put into shape. In addition to those I have mentioned there must be running in and out of New York to South American ports, and in and out of Philadelphia, Baltimore and San Francisco quite a large fleet of vessels, out of which some sort of fighting machines could be extemporized. ‘“The Union Iron Works has in course of construction two of the six gunboats I mentioned, which have not yet been named. The Oregon is awaiting her turret armor, and if the Jast piece of it shall be shipped on February 1, as we are informed, the Oregon will be ready about three months later, or ninety days from the date of the receipt of that shipment. She will then be in full condition to be turned over to the Government. Her guns are all here. Of the vessels we have built the Olympia is at Yokohama, the Monterey at Mare Island, the Charleston at Naga- saki and the San Francisco in the Bay of Marmosa.” “I think,”” he said, “it looks like an American in the chair at last. His mes- sage should be eminently satisfactory to the people. I think he shows forcibly and clearly the application of the Monroe doc- trine to the Venezuela boundary question. Congress ought to back him up with monsy and everything needed to main- tain the prestige of the American Govern- ment on the basis of the Monroe doctrine in its very conservative application.’” NEW TO-DAY. Suppose you have been wiseand selected a piece of furniture as the best of Christ- mas presents, where will you purchase it— Sloane's? If you do go to Sloane’s you can choose from a most remarkably attractive selec- tion of pieces intended especially for Holi- day Gifts. If you do go to Sloane’s you may be sure that the quality, no matter what the cost may be, is the best obtainable at that price. If you do go to Sloane’s you may know that™ the recipient of your offering is assured tiat you have selected as as could be found. W. & J. SLOANE & CO, 641-647 MARKET ST.* e ——— “Sloane’s” OPEN EVENINGS UNTIL CHRISTMAS. There’ll be a whole lot of little fellows tq hang up their Christmas stockings. Now don’t disappoint ’em. A little suit is wha! you want to put in for him, or, what’s more, a nice Ulster. Our picture above shows an awfully clever Cheviot-Ulster in handsome color ings; also some clever Tweeds; they’ry made with deep storm collar, nice worsted lining, cut very long; for lads between the ages of 5and 15, at $3.50. About the prettiest little suit we know for little fellows between the ages of 3 and 10 is a Reefer Suit with braid on collar, in those pretty twill cheviots in blue; aw- fully sweet and jaunty looking. Some very clever ideas in cheviots and tweeds, in bright colors, and a glorions $2.50. If things keep up like they have beem and the rush in our Juvenile Department becomes unabated very few will be left of of those pretty Blue Cheviot Short Trouser Suits, and also those Fine Scotches, at $2.50. These are for boys between the ages ot 5 and 15 years, and they’re the biggest values the Big Store’s offered since it’s been open, and you know we dress 9 per 4,:ent of the boys in San Francisco. Bring the LITTLE FOLKS to see Santa Claus in his Beautiful Palace of Ice. — RAPHAELS (INCORPORATED). 9,11, 13 AND 15 KEARNY STREET.