People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1896 — ACTIVITY IN FRENCH ARSENALS [ARTICLE]

ACTIVITY IN FRENCH ARSENALS

Warships Being Got Ready for Active Service. Toulen, April I.—There are signs at the dock-yards and arsenals of preparations for grave events. Orders have been received to prepare a number of warships for active service, stores and ammunition are being overhauled and sent on board the vessels to be prepared for ’ commission, and all naval officers on furlough have been telegraphed to rejoin their ships immediately. These measures, however, are believed to be more of a precautionary nature than as indicating the probability of an outbreak of hostilities. The French Mediterranean squadron, however, is to be strengthened, and the second-class cruiser Cecille, 5,766 tons, eight five-ton guns and ten three-ton guns, having a speed of nineteen knots, has sailed on a special mission to the African coast.