The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-09-18
THE JAPS TO ENLARGE THEIR
NAVY.

Washington, Sept. 17.-For reasons
which will be briefly explained it is not
believed here that the japanese govern
ment have placed large order for new
naval vessels with certain of the large
ship-building firms on the Clyde, as has
been reported. In the first place Japan
has no money available for this purpose
and secondly no such contracts can be
given without the money being first voted
by the parliament has not met since last
March, when it was called together for al
few weeks in extraordinary exigencies
arising out of the war with China The
next parliament will meet in November,
at which time the reports of the various
cabinet ministers will be laid before it in>
GLIDING the recommendation of the min
lister Of marine for an Increase in the ma
val establishment. The Japanese minis
ter of marine it is said has no more au-
thority to order new ships until an ap-
preparation has been made, than has the
secretary Of the American navy. 1t is
claimed for this reason that all reports
that new ships have been ordered are
premature, in as much as such action at
tional and vigorously resented by par
Lament.
When the regular session of the parlia-
ment begins in November next the first
installment Of the war Indemnity from
China, 50,000,000, will have been paid. All
or the major party of this sum will be
appropriated for the purchase of a num-
Der of frst-class battle ships of the same
displacement as those which this gov
eminent is now building. Both the
Cramps Of Philadelphia and the Union
Iron works of San Francisco have rep
resentatives in Japan who will endeavor
to secure the building of at least one of
these vessels each
1t will be q surprise to the officials of
the navy department IL they are not sue
cessful. The native Japanese newspa-
pers have printed repeated editorials call
Ing upon the government to emphasize
its friendship for the United States by
giving a few of these contracts to Amer,
lean shipbuilders. The higher Japanese
officials are equally interested in showing
their appreciation of the friendly attitude
or this country during the Japanese war
with China and it is presumed that sew
eral of the contracts will be given to the
Americans, not wholly on sentimental
grounds, but because of the belief of the
Japanese people that American built
ships are among the finest in the world
The Japanese officials are said to have
been greatly impressed by the splendid
performance of the Columbia after her
late run across the Atlantic and the ex-
cellent showing made by the American
Meet at k1el two months ago. It is be-
lieved that this admiration for the talent
displayed by American ship builders will
be increased after the flagship Olympia
shall have shown herself in Japanese
waters, and that the only question will
nd
heavier vessels can be constructed If it
be true. as has been asserted by Mr..
Cramp. that the battleships and cruising
vessels of the highest class can be built
In the United States as cheaply as upon
the Clyde, there is then apparently no
reason to doubt that the Americans will
not be overlooked when the Japanese
award their next naxal contracts