New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-16
One is instinctively attracted
by the natural fragrance
Of Lundborg's Perfume
VIO-VIOLET.
STRENGTHENING THE FLEET
FOUR AMERICAN LINERS CHARTERED
AND ONE SHIP BOUGHT

AND ONE SHIP BOUGHT
chill AND ARGENTINA LIKELY 10 SELL TIKI
oHlcG1Ns AND THE GAR1BAI.DI OR THE
SAN MARTIN AND SOME TORPEDO
BoATs-NAvAL RESERVES TO
MAN FIVE PATROL
VESSELS
Washington. April 15-Several imnortan+
steps in the work of preparations were
taken by the Navy Department TODAY II wac
decided to assign the Naval Reserves OF Nev-
York. New-Jersey. Massachusetts, MARYLAND
and Michigan TO the five auxiliary cruisers.
hereafter 10 be known as patrol boats These
ships the Prairie. the Dixie the Yankee the
Yosemite and the Venezuela
The question of the American Line steamers
was also wound up to-day with the decision to
charter all four Of them-the St Louis the St
Paul. the Paris and the New-York The two
aforementioned had already been acquired by
the Department. though the form OF acquisition
was tentative. the Department being undecided
whether it would purchase these two only or
charter all four.
II IS the intention Of the Navy Department to
# UP the American liners TO join or support the
Flying Squadron within two weeks from the
where they to receive their batteries and
the minor alterations which are proposed Their
officers and crews have already volunteered for
active service. and little difficulty IS anticipated
In filling out their complement experienced gun
ners being the chief desderatum
The Red d Line steamer Yumur was also pur-
chased to-day under the same conditions as the
Venezuela. secured yesterday. and the Auxiliary
Board in NewYork was authorized TO take the
Old Dominion steamer Yorktown II she could be
had fair price.
The Board also directed to secure quickly
ten Nght-draught yachts and tugs which
intended for use in policing the coast Of Cuba
and TO assist IN making the blockade OF the
island effective at places which cannot be
guarded by the larger cruisers These vessels
viii be armed and sent TO watch the smaller
harbors and inlets OF Cuba. and will be expected
10 nip in the bud any extemporized torpedo ex-
petitions the Spaniards may attempt.
With these additions the feet Of converted
vessels now includes the pick OF the ocean liners
and coasting steamers running under the Ameri
can flag The prices paid are withheld by the
Department
NEGOTIATING FOR CRUISERS
OF greater moment than any Of these develop
ments was the reopening Of negotiations for the
purchase Of two warships and several torpedo
boats from Chill and Argentina One Of the
cruisers is the Gillian OHiggins just completed
at an English yard. and regarded as one OF the
most formidable vessels OF her class afoat
These negotiations being conducted
though Charles R. Flint. OF New-York. who has
LARGE commercial and financial interests IN both
countries Mr.. Flint was at the Navy Depart
nent to-day. and held extended conferences
with the Secretary and other officials. While he
would not say how far the negotiations had
advanced. he intimated that the affairs Of Chill
and Argentina assuming such satisfactory
shape as to warrant the presumption that they
were not averse TO parting with portions Of their
navies.
The boundary dispute between Chill and Ar
gentina he explained, had caused such strained
relations as practically 10 prohibit any reduc-
ton In the naval strength Of either country The
dispute had now. however, been left TO the arol-
tration Of Queen Victoria, and the prospect OF
thoroughly peaceful and satisfactory adjustment
OF this old quarrel was more than good. win
this cause for trouble In fair way OF removal,
Mr. Flint said the abest and most conservative
men in both Chill and Argentina were In favor
OF reducing the naval establishments and econo-
mixing in expenditures.
Naturally however. neither country was IN
o,,,ed % weaken itself alone and the PROPOSE
fion penClnT tndr edCH siiouiN N'7I'''"N 1893
an eoual nunr,,er Of ships. II had taken definite
shape in the suggestion that Chill shouid sell
the O'Higgins and one torpedo-boat, while AT
gentina should dispose Of either the Garinald'
or the San Martin. both fine cruisers. and two
,ornedo- boats This would leave the two navies
IN about the same relative condition
In addition 10 the strong argument OF reduc-
INN N expenses Mr. Flint stated. another ana
POSSIBLY more powerful factor was behind the
schene 10 decrease the navies. not only IN Chiil
and Argentina but IN other south American
countries as well. and that was the fact 'ha'
history had taught that chiefly In the haN'es
Law the danger Of revolution. Consequently the
Government in power generally Favored 'euuO
Ing the may 10 the lowest possible limit. Shouio
Chill and Argentina decide TO sell these Nesse's
II was believed 10 be practically assured ma.
they would be added 10 the naval list OF inc
United States.
WORK FOR THE NAVAL MILITIA
Preliminary orders were sent 10 several naval
militia organizations to-day to prepare to man
certain auxiliary cruisers in the event OF war
These assignments are as follows: New-forK
State TO the Prairie; Massachusetts. to the
Yankee; Maryland. to the Dixie; Michigan 10
the Yosemite and New-Jersey 10 the |eheZueia'
It developed to-day that at least one OF 'le
organizations was disposed to rebel AT thls ou'S'
and that one OF the militia organizations a.
dsinclined accept the duty assigned 10 i !"
connection with the coast line si@naI ~ strI.,,
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt Immediately CAV
directions TO have any disobedience OF orueis
reported To him. He says he VIII quickly n,'u
out which organizations intend to deiehu tnc
country and which exist merely 20 suit tner
c"n convenience socially. He was not wliiihs
70 say what he intended 10 do with the suffers
pNt ntimated plainly that in time or war ho
".uid make examples Of them. .
Inc monitor Nantucket the ship Of the North
aroma battalion. has been ordered TO foi,
-'V2a' Tot the defence Of the Navy lafo anu