New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-03
Is SPAIN BUYING CRUISERS?
NO DOUBT SHE WOULD LIKE TO. But THE DE
MANp FOR CASH PAYMENTS IS
EMBARRASSING.

EMBARRASslN6.
rondon Nov. FIN well-informed circles here 1t
n not believed that Spain has signed the contracts
referred 10 by THE Daily Chronicle to-day as hav-
ing been concluded last week with an important
Arm OF British shipbuilders. by which that country
ACQUIRES some cruisers. armed with quicK-nrihe
guns which the firm had nearly completed LOT an
other Government. 1t Is known that the spanish
Government recently endeavored to purchase war
sh,ps from British shipbuders but the negotia-
lions failed account Of SPANS inability 10 pay
cash. and 1t was understood that her agents then
began looking for bargains In warships which other
countries were building.
Some Of these countries are building ships In
England among them being Chill and 1t Is sup
posed the Government OF that Republic Is Wiling
to transfer to Spain three cruisers. the O'Hggins
the Esmeralda and the Mnistro Zentino. which
have been practically completed by the Armstrong;
The Armstrong;. however, are only wiling TO sell
the three cruisers 10 Spain for cash.
The Thompsons finished six torpedo-boat destroy
ers for Spain q year ago. The firm delivered two
of the boats and is holding the others under the
pretext Of finishing them; but the general suppo-
sition Is that the Thompsons really holding the
destroyers for payment
One Of the foremost nnalciers Of tbs country
asserts that Spain Is unable TO raise more money
abroad and 1: Is not thought likely that she can
procure wnrships the promise of paying for
them by money she may raise later on by internal
loans. This refers to the statement Of The Daily
Chronicle" that. when the question OF FL ance was
raised by the constructors Of the cruisers which
Spain would like to purchase. the Spanish Minister
Of Marine. Admiral Bermejo. said that. in the event
of war, presumably with the United States. the
Spanish Government. by appealing to the patri-
otism Of the people Of Spain. could count upon
raising large internal war loan
According to Brassey's Naval Annual Of this
year. the CHILEAN armored cruiser Esmeralda is one
OF the most formidable warships In the world. She
s Of 700 tons displacement. i 4as feet long over
hVfso onAA ro faafn f Nf In les ~.
aida has a six-inoh armor belt seven feet in DEPTH
s ss., ss q nr s"Gh.sG ana
curved srmored deck. which varies in thickness
armor bel. TO two Inches at the ends. protects al
her machinery. magazines and steering gear In
protective deck. and when filled with coal viii add
Considerably 70 the wateg:line projection Of the
sSsIssy &5%s%s%s suissa5a% %s
s ana IT, :hsSs four q
which are on the nSns deck forward and att and
o. e ESSr Of @
on each S Srosdsae The p Es@eraiaa also
Wpo Ss ~ ten tpSundsrs SAND and four Maxim
Ss ns
T. ns cspser at her ;pssa rln
state. srMs.ed cruiser Sew-YSrk ana the cnas%n.
says: ''The i United States cruiser SeW-Ycrk. Of
500 tons displacement, might naturally be ex-
q are per miauts DO calculated. the NSS:YoIk only
tons Of the Esmera i '' a"'' Wv WV W. ~.
The oHssins Is O.tts-:hp Of 500 IT.. tons 100
con'raci speed IS ais knots w9h natural drsueh,;
net no q qasE
fas 2oIrSers and ten S,poIsndsr; nrd t9s5
ness. and BY an armored deck. The turrsts Of the