New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-04


ships. the Almirante Oquendo. the 1nfanta Maria
Teresa and the Izcaya. Of 1000 tons displacement.
These ships have armor twelve inches thick and
carry two eleven-inch guns in ten and one-half
inch armored barbetteS also ten fve-inch guns
which are protected by shields Spain's Empera-
dor Carlos is ship OF 5000 tons displacement.
Her side armor is only two inches thick. Her
Cardinal Cisneros the Catalina and the Princesa
de Asturias are each of 6.64S tons displacement
and are of the same general type, having
row water-line belt twelve inches thick and car
rying two eleven-nch guns in twelve-inch ar
mored barbettes Besides these, the only armored
ships of the Spanish Navy are the Numancia and
Vitoria, of 1000 tons displacement. They were
launched In 1863 and 1865 respectively. and carry
the old type muzzle loading guns. Spain also has
1874
OF modern unarmored ships she possesses the
Alphonso XIII and the Lepanto. the former OF
5000 tons displacement and the latter OF 4S26
tons. Each has an estimated speed OF twenty
knots and carries four eight-nch and six four
inch guns There are also the Aphonso XII. the
Rena Christina and Rena Mercedes designed
for transports Of about 1900 tons displacement,
seventeen knots speed and batteries of six three
inch guns: seven gunboats of the 1nfanta lsa-
bel class OF 1130 tons displacement, each hay
Ing two four and two seven-inch guns. Six OF
these are Of the torpedo catcher class with high
speed. In addition Spain has few old wooden
ships and about forty five small gunboats of no
fighting value. She Has thirtyeght first-class
and three second-class torpedo boats and four
vidette boats: also some small vessels built for
AMERICAN NAVAL STRENGTH.
Against this force the United States could by
June put the seas three battle-ships, the
Indiana. Oregon and Massa chusetts each Of TO-
2SS tons displacement and sixteen guns a
main battery; the Maine, of 66S2 tons displace-
ment and ten guns in the main battery; the
heavily protected and powerfully armed moni-
tors. the Puritan. the Monterey. the Terror.
the MonaGnock the Amphitrite. and the
fha Nau- Vnrk nf
displa cement and eighteen heavy guns; the
Olympia. Of $50 tons displacement and four
teen guns: the ram Katahdin. Of 2l55 tons dis
placement. Probably by July the Texas would
be ready for service. She is of 6.3l5 tons dis
placement and carries eight big guns. or unar-
n'ored ships of modern construction high speed
and strong batteries. this country has the CO.
lumbia the Minneapolis. the Baltimore. the
Philadelphia the Newark the san Francisco.
the Charleston. the Cincinnati. the Raleigh the
Boston the Detroit. the Non. gomery. the Mar
blehead. the Bennington. the Concord the York
town. the Castine the MachiaS the Vesuvius
and the Petrol This makes total Of thrty-hve
ships which the United States could call upon
in case of war. Some of the ships now on
foreign stations. but they could be brought to
the Spanish coast. the shores of Cuba this
country's own harbors by June /. This list does
not include the battle-ship Iowa and the heavily
tcn. These two vessels could not probably be
made ready for service in less than year
SOME FORMIDABLE FIGHTERS.
Referring to the fighting capacity OF some Of
the United States vessels Commodore IIichborn
says:
The Indiana. oregon. Massachusetts and Iowa &c
battle-ships; and the finest of their class ah9st
ever launched. and in my opinion they are
superior TO IS per cent of any vessels with which
Brooklyn and Maine are armored cruisers. They
have neither the offensive nor defensive qualities Of
the batte-sfips. but they are superb fighting ma
chimes. and would render magnificent service in the
event Of hostilities. The Texas Is second-rate
In lD.chi In NH lilo sha liant mo Amp
Terror Monadnock. Monterey and Puritan are
coas-defence vessels OF the monitor type carving
heavy batteries OF twelve and thrteen-inch guns
and capable OF defendins our harbors AGAINST The
is es So small that tn at ance miles wouG
be difficult. 70 hit them. while they could rain
great battle.ships with which they might be
gagged Those which are classed as unarnored are
except when pitted against vessels of their own
type. In this respect they have no equals in the
Spanish Navy
SPANS RECOGNITION OF THE CoNFED
ERACY.
II IS interesting in view of SPANS resentment
at the proposed recognition Of Cuban tel-
ligerency 10 recall the promptitude with which
Spain recognized the belligerent rights Of the
Confederate States in 1861 Here is the text
of the decree which the Spanish Government
issued on June II. 1861. hardly more than two
months after Fort Sumter was fred upon:
Considering the relations which exist between
Spain and the United States Of America and the ex-
pediency OF not changing the reciprocal relations
of friendly understanding on account Of the grave
events which have happened in that Republic nave
resolved TO maintain the strctcst neutrality IN inc
struggle engaged in between all the several states
of the Union and the Confederate States OF the
South; and in order 10 avoid the losses which our
subjects might suffer both In shipping ana com
merce for want OF definite rules 70 which their
conduct might conform in accord with the Views OF
Article !. 1t is forbidden in all the ports OF the
Spanish realm TO arm, supply and equip any pri-
Va cprN
Article ii. 1t IL in like manner forbidden TO own
ers masters captains OF merchant vessels 10 ac-
cept letters OF marque TO contribute In any way
| to the arming or equippng OF vessels Of war or
| Article III The entering and remaining for
| than twenty-four hours In the ports OF the realm
is forbidden TO vessels OF war or privateers with
prizes unless I'm OF necessity through stress
| Of weather When this latter happens the authori-
ties will watch the vessel and obge her 10 go TO
sea as soon as possible without permitting her to
| take any supplies than for present necessity.
| but account either arms or munitions OF war.
Article ". Effects taken from the prizes shall not
| under the Spanish flag Of all articles OF commerce
is granted except when directed 10 blockaded ports
| The carrying of war material papers. or communi-
| cations for the belligerents Is forbidden Tres,
passers shall Be responsible for their acts and shall
have right to g OF my w an in
| the belgerent army to engage themselves to
| serve on board vessels Of war or privateers
Article VI. Ny subjects should refrain from every
| act which by violating the laws of the Kingdom.
| may be considered contrary 10 neutrality.
| Article VII. Transgressors OF the above regla-
| tions shall have right protection OF my Gov
eminent shall suffer the consequences OF the rules
which the belligerents may prescribe and shall be
| punished provided by the laws Of Spain.
| Given at the Palace on this 18th day Of June 1861
(signed by the royal hand2
| SATUN1NO CALDERON COLLANTES
Minister Of State.
| CONSUL-GENERAL WILLIAMS HARASSED
| HIS RESIGNATION SAID TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED