The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-03-16
SUMTER. S. c.. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 16. 1898.

after the cabinet meeting, wherein all
Of the facts that were known to the
President as to the existing state Of af-
fairs we're laid unreservedly before the
cabinet members and discussed. Per-
haps one of the best evidences of the
confidence 10 peaceful oatcome was
the declasasion that while Captain
Brownson Was going abroad for the
government to learn what ships Of war
arc for sale and their condition, he
would not necessarily make any pur-
cbases. as it was hoped and expected
that by the time be arrived in Europe
the prescott cloud would have rolled by
The officer left Washington to
night. and will take the ST Paul to
Southampton, sailing from New York
He willreport his arrival Immediately
at the United States embassy in Lon
don, but further than than Che captain
declines to indicate the places he will
visit in Europe. He has been furn-
ished al! the information in the pos
session of the navy department res.
pecting the shipping in course OF
construction in Europe. and had a
talk with Mr Lane. who is said to
have some of these chips for sale,
though he does not at present have
the right in the case of the two small
Bsazilian battleships now building at
tLaSeine, in France As to these,
or indeed ony Brazilian or Chilian
war ship, it has been discovered that
Brazil and Chill are parties to 9
treaty, BY the terms of which neither
country can sell any of its warships
unless the other also sells aship. The
reason for this peculiar provision is to
be found in the alliance that is re-
ported to have been entered into by
those two countries for mutual pro-
lection against Argentina and other
South American nations.
As to the right to buy foreign war
ships, all authorities agree that such
purchases may be made, even after
hostiiities have begun. if the neutra
nation exercises strict impartiality be-
tween the belligerents, and the ships
are not armed and QUILTED ready for
service The trade of shipbuiiding
is recognized as q legitimate one,
which may be carried on at all times.
A good deal is being accomplished
in the way of preparation in both the
navy and war departments. The con-
ference at the cavy department to-
day looked into the procurement of .
suitable~ store of ammunition, coal
aud supplies. touched upon the oues-
tion of dry docks aud generally con-
sidered q number of other matters
connected with the operation of q
warship. The war department was
not behind the navy Gen. Flagler.
chief Of ordnance, is very busy
reaching ont in every direction by
means Of telegraph and the mail to
learn just how far the resources of
the big private manufacturing con-
cerns can be relied on to come to the
aid of the department in arming and
.equipping q volunteer army, should
one be found necessary. Maj. Gen.
Miles is looking after the personnel
closely. and to. day was trying to per-
feet the organization of the two new
regiments Of artillery which congress
has granted Beyond the statement
that the two senior lieutenant colo
nels of the existing artillery regi-
ments will, be made colonels Of the
two new regiments. the names of the
officers are withheld.