The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-10-05
INDEPENDENT.
JAPS THINK THEY CAN BUILD
THEIR OWN VESSELS.
Will Probably, However, Have to
Buy Their ArmOr Plate in Amer1-
ca-Japan Has No Fit Plants.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 4-Irving M.
Scott, the president of the Union Iron
Works, is coming home on the China,
which is due here next week, but he
is not bringing any contracts ito bulld
battleships for the Japanese govern
ment. On board the China IS also
General Williams, one of the agents OF
the Cramps, who was in Japan for the
same purpose as Mr.. Scott, and whose
mission met with the same result.
These gentlemen are bringing the
news that the Japanese government
has not decided to let the contract for
four new battleships TO American ship
builders, two of which would be con-
structed in this city, as announced by
William E, CurtiSm, who arrived from
the Orient on THE last trip of the Gaelic
The japanese government has not let
any contracts for additions to its navy
to American or other foreign ship
builders, for the reason that, until THE
imperial diet meets in November, the
minister of marine will not know just
what money will be at his service
Even after the appropriations are
made, it is doubtful if any contracts
will be made with American ship
builders, at least not for some time, the
reason being that the people of. the
mikado's empire have become suddenly
impressed with the idea that they can
construct their own battleships and
cruisers. This decision of Japan, Of
course, shuts out British and German
shipbuilders as we'll from a slice of
the japanese maritime patronage.
Mr.. Scott discovered one thing In
Japan and that is that the Japanese
naval department is not as prone to
admire the English style of marine
architecture as our cousins across the
water would have people believe.
Representatives of English ship build
ers were there in abundance, and not
a few Of England's best war vessels
have been manoeuvring in Japanese
waters for exhibition purposes. Ger
man and French shipbuilders were
present as we'll, but the real contest
was between the agents of the Union
Iron works and the Cramps for the
United States and two or three OF the
largest English ship yards.
The imperial diet meets in Novem-
her. and the minister of marine will
ask for a liberal appropriation for the
increase of the war marine. After this
matter is settled it will be in order for
foreign shipbuilders to submit facts
and figures about their handiwork All
propositions will be carefully con-
sidered, but it is generally believed that
the first contracts let will be for
armored cruisers of composite style
of American and English designs, and
that native bidders will be given the
preference providing their bids are any
thing near as low as those of other
countries.
After this is disposed of it is said
there will be special competition for
original designs of war vessels open ito
the world. In the competition Mr..
Scott hopes to succeed in getting a
plum or two. The Cramps will also
make a strong effort in the same direc.
ton.
Thus far there are no plants in japan
capable of making armor, and this and
armament would have to be purchased
elsewhere. 1t is said the Japanese
think American armor plate the best in
the world, and Mr.. Carnegie thinks he
ought to get a very large slice of this
pie.