Show I BIG GUNS OF OF THE TEXAS i They Can be Fired at the Ule Rate of One Every 20 26 Washington April 20 Secretary Secretary Long received a a. telegram this morning morn morn- ing lag from Commodore Schley of the flying fly fly- flying I ing squadron announcing the return of the squadron to Hampton Roads after a most successful practice cruise of forty-eight forty hours during which the batteries of the various ships were given a thorough trial and the ships put through h maneuvers Capt Phillip commanding the battleship battleship bat bat- Texas sent a telegram to Assistant Assistant Assistant As As- Secretary Roosevelt in which he spoke in the highest terms of the performances of that ship He mentioned men men- in particular the vast Improvement Improvement Improve Improve- ment meat in the operation of the big gun gUD in the main battery resulting from changes made at nt the New v e York nav navy yard recen recently Formerly the big guns could be fired only once in eight minutes but now they are arc capable of sustaining continuous continuous continuous contin contin- fire at the rate of a gun every 26 28 minutes Capt Phillip closes doses his telegram with the proud statement statement- The liThe Texas is ready to fight anything float afloat b |