Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-08-18
WARSHIPS FOR JAPAN.
One is Being Built at Cramps Yard
and the Other at San
francisco.

Philadelphia, Aug. 13.-1n case of war
with Japan the United States could play
the chrysanthemum kingdom a dirty
trick. And, according to the ethics of
war; it would be justified in doing so.
''All's fair in love-or war; would be
particularly applicable to this case.
Two years ago. upon the conclusion OF
the war with China, Japan ordered of
the United States two large warships,
which We're TO be built after entirely
American methods.
The contracts were placed with the
Cramps in Philadelphia, and with the
Union Iron. works of San Francisco The
work was TO be done slowly and WE'LL
and the terms of the contract were that
they should be completed on or before
Jan. 1, 1899. The ships are now more
than half constructed, but the armament
is still to be put in.
1t is q code-always followed by all
countries-that at the time of the break
ing out of hostilities all things belonging
to the opposing country can be contiscat-
ed. In case of trouble with Japan these
two cruisers would become the property
of the United States, and the ship-build-
ing companies would be reimbursed to
the extent that they had paid out money.
1t is a fact that Japan is counting
upon these cruisers and it is we'll known
in naval circles that the Mikado has
sent letters ordering that the work be
pushed forward as rapidly as possible
A few days ago one of the Japanese
newspapers, a special organ of the gov
ernment published an outline picture of
one of the cruisers. and accompanied it
with 4 long article describing the skill of
the builders and the deadliness of the
guns with which the cruisers will be
manned. In this article the hope was
expressed that the warships might be
completed by January /. 1898
They will be sent directly to Hawaii
the article added, where other war
ships are now gathering
The cost of these cruisers will be
S1,5OO,00O each. Part of the cost of
cruiser is always paid when the ship
is ordered, and the remainder comes in
instalments upon the completion of GER
tain parts of the vessel. or at certain
stages of the work. The final sum is
paid at the launching of the ship.
Probably the only persons who are
ayerse to defending our Hawaiian rights
against Japan are the two companies in
whose yards the cruisers are being built.
At the first note of trouble they would
have to violate their agreement with the
MikadO. This would bring them into dis
repute or disfavor with foreign govern
ments and result in financial loss also,
for Uncle Sam would consider these yes
sells as on 1.-The bargain counter" and
would not pay much for them.
At the close of the war with China
Japan FASTENED to place these contracts
with American shipbuilders before look
ing elsewhere. They were convinced of the
superiority of American steel and Ameri-
can workmanship. They will have dis
placement of 4750 tons and be 374 feet
long. Their extreme beam will be 4S
feet 8 inches, and their draught IL feet
8 inches. The hull is divided into water
tight compartments by transverse and
longitudinal bulkheads. They will be I'M
armed cruisers with protected decks The
main battery will consist of two S-inch
guns, one mounted forward and one aft,
and ten 4 and 7-inch guns.
They will have a powerful secondary
battery and an outfit of five torpedo
tubes. In the construction of each cruis,
er $500 tons of the best American steel
and 800 tons of other material will be
used. 1t is expected that they will make
speed of twenty-five knots an hour
under forced draught
The cruiser building in San Francisco
is to be named the Chitose
Clarence S. Russell.