The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-19
JAPAN'S WARSHIPSARE HERE
One is Being Built in Cramps Slip.
yard 10 Philadelphia.
THE OTHER At UNION IRON WORKS.
They Were Ordered From Us Directly After
the War with China-In Case of
WarUncle sam Could seize
Them.

PHILADELPHIA. PA, August BIN
case OF war with Japan the United states
could play the chrysanthemum kingdom
dirty trick. And, according TO tho
ethics OF war, II would be Justined IN DO
ing so.
ATS fair I'm loye-or war" would DO
particularly applicable TO this case.
Two years ago, upon the conclusion az
the war with China Japan ordered or
the United States two large warshps.
which were 10 bc built after entirely
American methods.
The contracts were placed with the
Cramps, OF Philadelphia, and with tho
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
January J. 1899. The ships are now moro
than half constructed, but the armament
Is still TO be mt IN.
1t is a code-always followed by all
countries-that az the time Of the. break
ing out of hOstlitics an things belonging
To the opposing country can be confscat-
ed. In case of trouble with Japan thcsd
two cruisers would become the property
Of the United States, and the ship-buildna
companies would be reimbursed 10 the eX-
tent that they had paid out money.
II Is a fact that Japan s. counting upon
these cruisers, and Il Is well known I'm
naval circles that the Mikado has sent
letters ordering that the work Ice pushed
forward as rapidly as possible.
few days ago ono OF tho Japanese
newspapers. special organ OF the Gov
eminent. published an outline picture OF
one of the cruisers, and accompanied II
with "A long article describing the skill
Of the builders and the dc1dliness of tho
guns with which the cruisers Will be man
ned In this article the hope was eX-
pressed that the warships might be COM
pletcd by January I, lS9S.
They will be sent directly 10 Hawaii"
the article added, WHERE other warships
are now gathering"
Tho cost of these cruisers will DO 81 500
900 each Part OF the cost Of a cruiser IL
always paid when the ship is ordered.
and the remainder comes boz instruments
upon the completion Of certain parts or
the vessel or az certain Stages OF tho
work The final sum ls paid M tho
launching Of the ship.
Probably the only persons who are
aversc 10 defending our Hawaiian rights
against Japan are the two companies In
whose yards the cruisers are being built.
~ the first note of trouble they would
have 10 violate their agreement with tho
Mikado. This would bring them into
disrepute or disfavor with foreign gov
ernments and result In financial loss also
for Uncle Sam would consider these V"s-
sells as on "the bargain counter and
would not pay much for them.
At the close of the war with china
japan fastened 10 place these contracts
with American shipbuildors before look
ing elsewhere They were convinced of
tho superiority Of American steel and
American workmanship They will have
displacement OF 4l50 tons and be 80
feet long. Their extreme beam VIII be
Is feet inches. and their draught II feet
. inches The hull Is divided INFO water
tight compartments by transverse ana
longitudinal bulkhcads. They will be UNI
armed cruisers with protected decks. The
main battery will consist OF two S-inch
guns. one mounted forward and one at.
and ten and 1-inch guns.
They will have "a powerful secondary
battery and an outfit OF five torpedo tubes.
I'm the construction Of each cruiser 300
tons OF tho best American steel and 20
tons Of other material Will Doe used. II IL
expected that they Will make speed OF
twenty-five knots an hour under forced
draught
The cruiser building I'm San Francisco
Is TO be named the Chtoso.