The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-03
SPAIN AND IT'S NAVY.
DOns Are Not So Vulnerable as Many
Americans linn ring.


NEW YORK, Feb. 2.-The HeraId's Paris
correspondent says: Lieutenant Mario Ru-
bio Munez spoke golden words in an article
written for the Spanish naval illustrated
FL Mundo Naval. He says: 1T seems it is
in opinion we'll to form comparative
data with other navies as to the best means
of approaching the relative value of ma
tional forces. Wars are precipitateG by
ignorance. Had the people of France real
lied the preparedness of their enemies in
1870 they would probably not have shouted
A Berlin vociferously. The Northern
States cried ON to Richmond, and it took
four years to get there. Now, it is just as
well for the United States to face the Span
ish crisis with its eyes open. War with
Spain will not be "a walkover, nor will it be
ended in month. Spain is getting ready
for the fight which the jingoes of both
countries are doing their best to hurry on"
The tables which Lieutenant Munez gives
satisfy him, naval expert, that Spain is
not as defenseless as some people imagine
A well-armed man will put up a good fight,
even under disadvantageous circumstances
and though Spain may be weaker at many
points than the United tSates, she also sees
that on the other hand, America, too, has a
vulnerable side. If, therefore, war does
take place, both sides will suffer. The
American jingoes have decided that the
United States should NEEDLE in SPANS do
nestle affairs, and the Spanish jingoes have
been egging on their government by the
very same method that their brothers in
the United States have been using Now
if the people decide to back up this senti-
ment, rightly or wrongly, it is as well that
their eyes should be open to what they
have to fight. Spain has a navy of which
some vessels, according to one of her ex-
her foreign antagonist. The eloquence of
figures he says, should be sufficient to
calm even the incredulOuS aud peSsimistic
and to close the mouths of those who are
constantly stating that the Spanish forces
are deficient and OF those who So freely
criticise the resources of our country"
On the other hand American experts
think that the United States navy is SUI
perior, and that il would have an easy time
of ii with Spain. This remains to be proved
What IS certain is that If war does break
cut few cities will be laid in ashes and
whether they be Cadiz or New York, BARGE
Iona or Boston, the officer who does it viii
carry off panache Of glory in to-day's
Herald there is an exhaustive description Of
the three armored cruisers which Spain IS
having huilt with al noscibIe sneod r;a
lures of them have also been published as
well as one of the protected cruisers Wis
caya. which Is about leaving Carthagena on
a visit to the United States She will be
under the command of Capt. ID. Antonio
Eulate; reputed in the navy a prudent
and urbane officer.
The Niscaya is quite modern being one of
three sister ships built at Bilbao The other
two the Infanta Maria Theresa al
ready known in the United States and the
Almirante Oquendo. and are of the armored
cruiser type. The dimensions OF the Viscaya
are: Displacement, 1900 tons; length $40
feet; breadth, 65 feet: dr;1ught. II feet 8
inches; horse power. 1900: armor belt u
inches; speed, 20 to Il knots; complement
500
In view of q possible conflict befween the
United States and Spain, the details about
the three new cruisers are valuable. 1t is
certain that Spain is doing all in her power
ders have been given to push forward these
cruisers. They are described as the Cardinal
CisnerOs, the Princess de Asturias and the
Catalina. in lei Mundo Naval by Lieut.
Mario Rubio Mnnes They are being built
he says, at the doclyards OF Ferrol. Car