The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-29
Markets of Europe Have Been
Cleaned by Z. s.
For Munitions of War and Bat
tleships.
STEAMERS HIRED
To Bring Guns and Powder to
America.
We Have Secured Every Tor
pedO in the Market.

New York, March 29.-James Creelman
wires the Journal from London:
great battle is in progress between
the United States and Spain for permis-
sion to buy the Italian cruisers Varese
and Garabaldi. Commander Brownson is
in Italy trying to persuade Italy to sell
the ships to the American government
Austria is savagely fighting against it and
trying to help Spain.
1t is a fact within my knowledge that
the United States has bought every war
vessel that can be had in Europe.
We have secured every torpedo in the
market.
Hundreds and hundreds of tons of am
munition have been bought. We have also
secured enough artillery, ranging from 6
inch rifles downward, to fortify our coasts
and, together with the arms already in
the United States, to equip at least a
hundred and twenty private vessels as
cruisers and priva teers.
The San Francisco and Amazonas are
being loaded with torpedoes, guns and
well as the navy, and will probably sail
Tor New York direct tomorrow
Special fast steamers have been char
ed with war material for America.
Never has a government acted with
greater energy in face of war. The Unit
ed States has even tried to buy ships from
Great Britain.
Thus far everything for sale that can
be used against Spain has been bought
me only two available ships now are
the NareSe and Garibaldi.fOr which Amer
lea and Spain are fighting desperately.
Ihe Journals Rome correspondent tele-
graphs me as absolute fact that Brin.
the Italian minister of marine. has already
signed an agreement to sell the Varese to
Spain. The United States protests at
Rome on the ground that the sale of the
cruiser faVors Spain against the United
States Brin answers that he cannot break
his engagement with Spain. He is. how
ever, disposed to sell another warShip to
the United States.
1t is said that Austria is not the only
government bringing pressure to bear on
Italy to prevent America from getting
ships, on the ground that the sale may in
crease the chances of war.
In the chamber of deputies at Rome,
COlOnels Santini and Farina presented in
temptations aimed against the sale of
WarShips.
The Italian minister of marine declared
that he had received proposals to buy
ships from several governments. These,
he said, would be examined by the gov
eminent, which would take into consider
alton all the circumstances before decid-
ing. For the present he must refuse to
say more.
her warships, because she might find her
self day at war with those powers to
whom she had sold the vessels"
F'arina: I'VE should not deprive our
selves of our means of defense
Santini offered motion against the sale
of warships. The chamber. by an enOrm-
ma jOrity, decided to discuss the mo-
ton tomorrow. The prospect is that to-
mOrrOW's sitting will be very important
The chamber is absolutely opposed to any
sale, knowing such sale would be to bene-
fit Spain. I have questioned several dep
uties about the probable result of tOmOr-
rows session. GiolOtti, BaccelH and San
tint assure me that if Brin does not aban-
don the idea of selling warships he will
be OVerthrOWn. Bacceli said Italy would
be eternally diShonOred if she placed her
warships at the disposal of Spain.