The Indianapolis journal., 1898-03-09
WAR AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS
PROVIDING FOR DEFENSE OF THE
COUNTRY ON LAND AND SEA.
Captain BrOwnsOn on His Way TO Eu-
rope to Inspect Vessels offered for
GaIe-TvvO Japanese Cruisers.

WASHINGTON, March SIN spite of the
numerous conferences of officials, of the
continuation Of the preparations now i'll
progress on a large scale to put the country
in a state of defense, of the outburst OF
patriotic speeches in Congress, there was
certain feeling apparent in the best in
formed circles that the situation as to our
relations with Spain was to-day much more
favorable than it was yesterday. Perhaps
the semi-official adviceS received through
the Associated Press from Madrid, indicat-
ing peaceful purpose on the part OF the
Spanish government, contributed in large
measure to that feeling, or it may have been
that the growing knowledge of the vast ex-
tent Of our own resources tended to the be-
lief that they would impress others with the
futility of attacking the United States.
However that may be, the feeling prevailed,
and at the White House, too, after the
Cabinet meeting, wherein all of the facts
that were known to the President as to the
existing state Of affairs were laid unreserv-
edly before the Cabinet members and dis
cussed.
While Captain Brownson is going abroad
for the government to learn what ships
of war are for sale and their condition, he
will not necessarily make any purchases.
The officer left Washington tonight and
will take the st. Paul to Southampton,
sailing from New York. He will report his
arrival Immediately at the United States
embassy in London but further than that
the captain declines to indicate the places
he will visit in Europe. He has been fur-
nished all the information in the possession
of the Navy Department respecting the
@EA fxrrafi ion
and had talk to-day with Mr.. Lane, who
is said to have some of these ships for sale,
though he does not at present have the
right, In the case of the two small Brazilian
battle ships now building at La Seinne, in
France. AS to these, or indeed any Brazil
ian or Chilean war ships, it has been dis
covered that Brazil and Chile are parties
to a treaty by the terms of which neither
country can sell any of its war ships, un-
less the other also sells ship. The reason
for this peculiar provision is to be found
in the alliance that is reported to have been
entered into by these two countries for NUT
ual protection against Argentine and other
South American nations. Captain Brown
son does not expect to stay abroad long,
and goes only on condition that he may re-
turn Immediately in case of an open rup-
ture. .,
NO BAR TO BUYING SHIPS.
AS to the right to buy foreign war ships
all authorities agree that such purchases
may be made, even after hostilities have
begun, If the neutral nation exercises strict
impartiality between the belligerents and
the ships are not armed and outfitted ready
for service. The trade of ship building is
recognized as legitimate one, which may
be carried on at all times. Mr.. Clay, when
w.Nfr1 afVNln
as follows: IF it be forbidden by the law
of nations to sell a belligerent an armed
vessel completely equipped and ready for
action, it is believed not to be contrary to
the law to sell a belligerent a vessel in any
other state, although it may be convertible
into a ship of war" Mr.. Clay specified a
case in which Spain and one of the South
American republics, then at war, each
bought a ship from the same ship builder,
which ships afterward met on the sea and
had an engagement. He also specified the
case of Russias selling a whole fleet of
ships to Spain, including some of the Rus
sian ships of the line, while Russia held
neutral attitude between Spain and the
southern republic with which she was at
war.
The subject has been before the American
courts, and in the case Justice Storey held:
while the sale of vessel, armed or un-
armed, to a belligerent is not forbidden by
international law, such a vessel, even on it's
way to the purchaser, is Liable to seizure as
contraband." In a later case before the
Supreme Court the distinction is made be-
tween the unlawful act of fitting out and
arming ship of war for a belligerent and
the lawful act Of selling such ships to be
converted into men of war. The decision
says that the distinction is the same as that
between the lawful act of a gunsmith in
selling a pistol and the unlawful act of the
same gunsmith III arranging that pistol
shall be used for criminal act.
A good deal is being accomplished in the
way OF preparation in both the Navy and
War Departments. The conference at the
Navy Department to-day looked into the
procurement of suitable store of ammu-
milton, coal and supplies, touched upon the
question of dry docks, and generally con-
sidered number of other matters con-
nected with the operation of a war ship.
The War Department was not behind the
Navy. General Flagler, chief of ordnance,
is very busy reaching out in every direction
by means Of the telegraph and the mail to
learn just how far the resources of the big
private manufacturing concerns can be re-
lied on to come to the aid of the War De-
partment in arming and equipping a volun-
teer army, should one be found necessary.
He will not tell what he is doing in this
direction, holding that 1t is not wise to
make everybody acquainted with either our
strong or our weak points
WHAT MILES is DOING.
Major General Miles is looking after the
personnel closely, and to-day was trying
hard to perfect the organizations of the two
new regiments Of artillery which Congress