The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-09

cured my malady. MARY MILLER, 1888
hancock Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
with Lieutenant w. S. Sims. naval at
tache to the American embassy at Paris,
and in his company inspect the two bat
tleships, Marshal F1oriano and Marshal
Deordoro, now building for the Brizilian
navy. and which, it is understood, can
| be purchased by the United States.
Commander Brownson is also charged
with the important duty of investigating
the practicability of the purchase from
foreign manufacturers of ordnance mater
ial in case our own supply should prove
| inadequate.
JAPAN'S CRACK CRUISERS.
1t is known positively that negotiations
are in progress toward having the United
! States acquire the two crack cruisers now
! being built for Japan, one at the Cramp
| ship yards at Philadelphia and the other
at the Union Iron works of San Francisco.
! The negotiations naturally are circuitous,
| as there are three parties in interest,
/ namely, the Japanese government, the
! United States and the shipbuilders. There
is good reason to believe that terms could
| be made between the United States and
the shipbuilders and that so far as they
! are concerned the transaction could be
| concluded without much further negotia-
ton. While suggestions have been made
! that the right of eminent domain would
! permit the United States to take the two
cruisers without reference to Japan's
rights, there is no desire among officials
! here to resort to such radical steps. More
over, it is said that such action would be
an international offense directed against
Japan and an unfriendly act, which this
government is not likely to commit at this
moment toward a friendly power
The present negotiations contemplate
Japan's full acquiescence, but whether
they will succeed cannot be said at this
time. 1t is positively known, however.
that no overtures have been submitted
thus far to the authorities at Toxic, and
it would be for them TO give the final de-
cision. Pending this, a contract could not
be made or an option given. The negoti-
atoms took a marked forward step today,
although, as stated, they have not yet
reached the final stage. The two cruis-
ers are not only being built for Japan.
but they have already become the actual
property of Japan by the payment of a
considerable portion of the purchase
price, to-wit S1,35O,OOO each. They are
within three months of completion on an
emergency basis. They are designed to
make % knots, which rank them among
the swiftest cruisers in the world
Their armament, primary and second
airy. is according to japanese naval stand
ard, which proved so effective in her re-
cent war with China. The government
officials here say that there is not likely
to be manifested an exhibition of a dis
position on the part of the Japanese gov
eminent to stand upon technical objec-
tons to the sale of these ships to the
United States government in case the de-
cision is reached to purchase them, bas-
ing this belief upon many kindly express
sions that of late have come to their no.
tice, and to the past record of the Japan
csc nation.
New York, March S-A Herald special
from Washington says:
Secretary Long has given orders to
Commander W. II. Brownson. now on
duty as member of the board of inspec-
ton and survey. to leave at once for
England and France to inspect the YES
sells which have been offered to this gov
eminent and to report without delay If
they are suitable for service in the United
States navy.
Commander Brownson will not only
look at the vessels which have been OFFER
ed but will examine other warships under
construction for foreign nations. and
should he report that any are desira BILE /
and ready for sea this government will
undoubtedly enter into negotiations with
the nations which ordered the ships. look
ing TO their sale TO the United States
Secretary Long talked with Command
er Brownson and told him what he want
ed, and the instructions given during the
consultation will guide the naval officer
in the important work which has been
placed in his charge. Upon arrival at
Southampton the early part OF next week. /
Commander Brownson will confer with
Lieutenant J. {. Colwell. who is naval at
taohe to the United States embassy in /
London, in regard to the ships under con-
struction at ElwyCk and other points in /
England
he viii then so to France. where he I
Will meet Lieutenant w. s Sims. who Is |
naval attache to the United States en- /
hassy in Paris. and in company with that 4
- ''i' -'-9l'S~S Nis Two I'd ttIeSillpS 4
Marshal Floraine and Marshal Deodoro. /
which. the Herald has stated, have been /
offered TO this government
Commander. Brownson while abroad /
Will also inquire as 10 the amount Of ord /
nance material on hand. Il IS anticipated I
by the department that II hos,ilities &C
cur it will be necessary for this govern /
ment TO purchase such material from for /
eign manufacturers.
Ulcers Sons & Maxim. limited have Of !
fered guns and ammunition TO the depart (
ment. but the English powder has a nitro
base, which the department does not care
TO place on board naval ships an account |
OF the explosive quality or such powder
IL Is halie,-ea hnu,a,-a- -. -, rn........- I