The factories are
fitted out with machinery imported from England, and when in full
working order can turn out twenty thousand cartridges and one hundred
and fifteen rifles a day, and two field guns a week.
In 1896 it was known that the Ameer had already manufactured enough
breech-loading rifles to give arms to fifty thousand soldiers. It is
uncertain what became of this store, but it was supposed that they were
being kept for the Afghanistan troops. Now the English are wondering
whether the Ameer has not been quietly supplying their enemies with
weapons and ammunition.
The latest reports from the seat of war state that the tribesmen are
offering a determined resistance to the English advance, and from all
one hears some serious work lies before the British army in India.
* * * * *
Spain's answer to President McKinley has been cabled over to us. The
text of the letter has not been made public yet, but one of our
newspapers has cabled a statement from Madrid telling us what it is all
about. This statement has been confirmed by Senor Dupuy de Lome, the
Spanish Minister in Washington, and so we may have confidence in it.
It would appear that the answer was discussed at a cabinet meeting in
Madrid on Sunday; a draft of the answer was then prepared and sent to
the Queen, who immediately gave her consent.
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