The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-03-08
DICKERING FOR SHIPS.
IBy Gable to The Associatea Press !

[By Cable to The Associated PressJ
LONDON, March s. 1sse.-A letter re-
ceived here today from Madrid says the
Spanish torpedo squadron at Cadiz will
not sail for Cuba, lowing to information
received from the United States and Cap
tain General Blanco"
The Pals, in confirming the statement
that the departure of the torpedo squad
ron has been indefinitely postponed. Says
1T would not be surprising were the
event closely connected with the recent
visits of General Woodford to Senior
Gullon and Senior Sagasta."
In conclusion, the Pals remarks:-
Everyone may be assured that the
squadron will neither sail now nor at any
time in the future
A factor which must be taken into con-
sideration in the purchase of ships IS it
is said. that any Government has the
power to take ships building for foreign
governments for its own use at the last
moment. Great Britain upon several oc-
easions has done this.
The Standard today publishes a long
article, comparing the navies of the
United States and of Spain, and says
Some indications of the extent Spain
is prepared is afforded by the measures
adopted to protect Havana harbor against
surprises. With the 1otilla of torpedo
boats which joins the Vizcaya and Amir
ante Oquendo there before the end of
March, the squadron under Admiral Ger
vers, composed of the Alfonso XIII and
the Nara Therese, with two second-elass
cruisers and torpedo boats, will be REIN
forced by the battleships Pelayo, Charles
" and Christopher Columbus accompan-
led by three destroyers and three torpedo
boats. The fleets thus brought together
III the West Indies are described as rep
reserting all the available naval force
for foreign service, and it will be entirely
mobiliaed, some old ironclads, which were
recently refitted, being utilized in guard
ing the coasts of the Peninsula"
Spanish fours on the Stock Exchange
today, closed at 57as, against 561a, the clos
ing price yesterday.
The English newspapers, today, con-
firm the news of Spain's purchase of war
ships. The est. James Gazette which,
yesterday published the denials of the
Spanish Embassy and Spanish Naval
Commission. which has an Office in Lon
don says today
1T is ascertained on very high author
ity, in spite of denials, that the Spanish
Government has almost certainly sue
ceeded in buying three nearly completed
cruisers here, and two coast defense ves-
sells which are about to be launched in
France. Experts are almost as much sur
prised at the success of Madrid in raising
money, as by the clever diplomacy which
secured the Chillan and Brazilian cruisers
Of the Armstrong;, at a cost believed to
be a million pounds sterling. almost be-
fore the move was suspected.
The article goes on to say that much
composition between Spain and the United
States for these various ships construct
ing was expected, 'tbut America has come
to the conclusion that its naval resources
are strong enough to confront Spain, and
is playing waiting game
Continuing, the .St. James Gazette'
says.-..An American naval authority now
in this country takes a cynical view OF
the six torpedoe boats building for Spain
here, and of the three already delivered,
which might just as well be paid for by
Spain in the first instance, and make val
liable additions to the United States Navy
later on !"
The article referred to also points out
that the earliest time in which the Chilian
cruiser, which cost 100000 (s2.0000OO can
be finished is three months, and adding
that the other vessels purchased will take
longer to finish. SO that in the event of
war. (which will come soon if at ALL
the ships will be useless, as International
law will prevent their delivery.
In conclusion, the "St. James Gazette"
remarks
"A freature Of the warship market d.
present is the small number Of vessels
available. Three cruisers and two coast
defence vessels is the best Great Britain
and France can do. 1t is true these are
not the only warships building, but the
others, twelve Japanese and two Chinese
cruisers. and eight torpedo boat destroy
ars, for Japan, are so <keenly and imme-