New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-21
4 NAVY FOR CUBA.
COMMERCE. DEsTROYERs TO BE FITTED
OUT WHEN BELLIGERENCY Is
RECOGNIZED.
OFFICERS AT VARIOUS POINTS READY TO PLACE
ORDERS FOR ARMs-MERciiANTMEN TO BE

OFFICERS AT VARIOUS POINTS READY III fLAoh
ORDERS FOR ARMS MERCHANTMEN TO BE
MADE OVER INTO CRUISERS.
A weIl-known member of the Cuban Junta VINO
lives in brooklyn, threw out strong hint yester-
dav that lust as the United States recognizes
Cuban belligerency a navy will be provided within
n short time to prey upon Spanish commerce anu
fight the Spanish navy in the waters OF the Atlaht'c
ocean surrounding the island.
II is understood that for many months or in fact
almost ever since the present war began the Junta
has had a list of available vessels owned by dliler-
ent countries which could be purchased for war
PURPOSES Among this number three or four
memo war. They are not warships of the Indiana
or of the Massachusetts, class but under the modern
interpre ation of naval terms they would. perhaps
be called secondclass cruisers with sufficient arma-
ment and protective power to give the majority OF
the Spanish navy good tussle in fair fight. The
Junta officer who refused to allow his name to be
mentioned in connection with this story, said that
within two months OF the time that the Administra-
ton recognized Cuba the Spaniards would meet
naval force which. while not at all extensive,
would be strong enough to give them plenty to do.
II Is manifest that the Cubans would in the begin
ming pursue the same tactics that Generals Gomez
and Maceo carrying out with the land forces.
They would. OF course avoid battle with the more
formidable OF the Spanish warships. but their main
object would be to prey upon the commerce OF Spain
The Cubans having commerce the high
would, OF course have great advantage i'm this
respect. 1t is the intention to fit certain num-
Der of privateers. just how many it is not known.
outside Of the Junta. and probably this time the
Junta itself does not know. However. locked in
strong safe In Ncw-York IL a list OF merchant YES
sells which could easily be converted into cruisers
powerful enough to niict great damage Spanish
commerce. 1t is asserted that already arrangements
have been made with one or two leading heavy
r.p.,, MAJ ttfa chi IN
points with the least possible delay when the time
arrives.
There Is doubt. Judging from what the Cuban
said yesterday that funds Will not be lacking to
carry out the naval intentions OF the Cuban Gov
eminent. The warships already. referred TO can
run Of Spanish cruisers. In d general way II may
be said tnat the heaviest ordnance carried would be
Of these vessels would carry 80 and 6-pound-
inch cali6re, are powerful fighting machines The
projecties from them have velocity OF 700 feet
80 ard s-pound guns are respectively OF and rs
inches cllibre. and IN prvateering work could DO
placed at various points ready 10 complete pur-
upon 1 o the IRON 5he sspeTGr
flowing In at Il more rapid rate than most people
In the course OF the conversation the Junta officer
spoke OF the revolt OF the Spanish American PROV
Argentine Republic and some OF the provinces Of
Mexico. He referred 10 McMasters's United States
history, and rnOWei thdt the lntel states allowed
vessels Of the revolving provinces TO United
States ports and load with and other NUM-
lions OF fight the mother country.
And yet" he added, THE beigerency Of those
countries WAS not recognized by United States
until nearly eight years afterward. There is
siderable difference IN the policy OF this country
now and then. | make comment. for history
carries its comment. We have no ravy at
present but II We had ore TO attack Spanish COM
rnerce the ships could be regarded by the
United States pirates, even while our bellgorcncy
has no been recognized. for this country has mere
tOfore held that insurgcnt people fighting on the
seas have rynt To carry their own flag in
surgents'