The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 23, June 9, 1898 | Page 5

it will be possible to drop fifty pounds of dynamite at a time from a distance a mile away; the plan is to send up these kites from within the lines of the attacking force and drop the dynamite into the fortifications of Havana. The men who fly the kites can remain out of sight of the forts; and the kite will be such a small mark and so high up in the air as to be very difficult to hit with a rifle-ball.
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After a great deal of discussion in Congress, and many delays in finishing our war-ships because of the price asked for armor by the large armor companies, it was decided that the maximum rate--that is, the highest price--that the Government would pay should be $400 per ton; until this change was made neither of the great armor-plate manufacturers would bid, and, as a result, armor was not obtainable. May 24th, bids were opened for supplying the three battle-ships, Illinois, Alabama, and Wisconsin, now being constructed by the Union Iron Works, Newport News. About a year ago the Government advertised for bids for supplying this armor, but no bids were received because Congress had made the limit of price too low. Bids opened on the 24th were from two companies, the Bethlehem Iron Works and Carnegie & Co. It is evident that an arrangement had been entered into between the two, as one company bid to supply the armor for the Alabama, and the other for the Wisconsin, the bids in each case being the same--that is, at the maximum price of $400 per ton.
The armor for the Alabama will cost $1,022,504; that for the Wisconsin, $1,023,504; the first of this armor will be delivered in about seven months, and thereafter about 300 tons will be delivered monthly. At this rate it will be about fifteen months before the last of the armor is ready.
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It is reported that Spain is about to sanction the commission or fitting out of privateers to prey upon our commerce. In the Spanish newspapers appear almost daily criticisms of our cowardly methods of carrying on the war. At one time it is stated that our vessels have been seen flying the Spanish flag in order that they may surprise some ship of theirs; at another time our cowardly attack upon some fort in Cuba is mentioned, when we sneak up under cover of darkness only to beat a hasty retreat when the first gun is fired.
In the face of such conduct, it is claimed by the Spaniards that we are entitled to no consideration, and it is believed both here and abroad that all of this kind of absurd talk means that Spain contemplates a resort to privateers to get even with us.
Privateers, in former years, when fitted out by Spain have acted so much like pirates that they have been considered and treated as such by England and by other nations, and the whole system has been so seriously condemned that it is believed that, should either Spain or this country fit out privateers, other nations would immediately interfere and put a stop to it.
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There has been considerable discussion in reference to Hawaii; the question of annexation is favored almost universally by our people and in Congress; in fact, the annexation of the island is now considered not merely advisable, but absolutely necessary. In sending troops from this country to the Philippine Islands we must stop on the way for supplies, and should Hawaii be captured by the Spaniards or annexed by another power, it would prove a very serious matter to us; it is to be hoped that the question of annexation will be settled at once.
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Very little news of interest is received from Spain. In the list of the new Spanish ministry, published week before last, we included the name of Se?or Leon y Castillo as Minister of Foreign Affairs; Se?or Castillo did not accept the office, which was then offered to Duke Almodovar de Rio, who has accepted.
The duke said that he did not wish the office, but accepted it on patriotic grounds, "as every Spaniard is bound to devote all his powers to the defence of his country." The duke is well and favorably known in England, where he was educated, and it is considered that the choice for this office is a good one.
The Spanish Minister of Finance, in discussing Spain's financial condition, recently said that he considered it satisfactory, and that the payment of all expenses of the war is assured; as a means of raising additional funds he proposes to convert the floating debt, now amounting to about 500,000,000 pesetas, into treasury bonds of small denomination, and to extend