The Portland daily press., 1898-03-12
TWO SHIPS PROBABLY BOUGHT.
United States Said to Have Secured Two
Building For Brazil.


Washington, March 1I.-Most Of the
time of today cabinet needing was
taken up in the discussion of measures
which have been put. in operation for the
acquisition Of naval vessels by the govern
ment. One of the members said after the
meeting: sit is now altogether prob
able we will secure TWO vessels that are
under construction fer the Brazilian gov
ernment. 1t is not possible at present to
say how many ships in all the govern
ment will be able to secure. 1t has
options on number that have been
offered, but nothing is likely to be accom-
plished in the way of acquiring them
until an examination is mado into their
shape, for which purpose an naval officer
has been sent abroad. We do not want q
LOT of vessels that other nations coD-
tracted to be built and now find that they
are not up to expectations. The fact is
notorious that there are not great
many really good vessels to be had, but
/ should not be surprised if we were able
to get at least half dozen formidable
ones. The $50, coo, 900 appropriation for
war will be expended in this country
except such as may be used In the pur.
chase Of ships and in the acquisition OF
munitions of war not kobtainable
here.
eyes I think tho sympathy of the Brit
ish government in this controversy is with
the United States. At any rate she does
not side with Spain. l do not mean by
4his statement that England will openly
stantial help, but will give us their
moral support.
SPANISH SECURITIES TUMBLE.
Madrid, March 1.-The anxiety as to
the relations between Spain and the
United States which has alarmed financial
and commercial circles for several days
eliminated Thursday in heavy fall in
funds, eli securities of the exterior and
interior debts declining one per cent.
The newspapers re-eoho the profound
sensation and displeasure caused by the
United states sending the Montgomery to
Havana and by the appropriation of $50,
000, 600 for national defense.
RIFLE MAKERS HURRIED.
Springfield, Mass, March 1.-THE
Union will print tomorrow the news that
Lieut.. Col. Arnold, commandant at the
United States armory in this city received
last evening telegraphic orders from Gen.
FIsgIer, chief OF ordnance to worE the
arInory to its fullest capacity, taking on
extra shifts of men as SOON as satisfactory
arrangements can be made and also to
expedite all work now on hand. Col.
ArnCld has wired for more detailed in
structions and expects them tomorrow.
There aresat present some six hundred
employees at work and the daily output is
12O Krag- Jourgensen rifles. It is expected
BY putting out on three gangs of men
each working eight hours that the out
put can be made to reach 600 rifles daily.
There are now on hand 60,0r0 Krag-
Jourgensens ready for shipment and a
supply of several thousand Springfield
rifles.
VIA THE NEW YORK WORLD.
New York, March ia Washington
special to the Evening World says:
sfMem bers Of the cabinet this afternoon
admitted that the report of the board of
inquiry would be at once transmitted to
Congress with a special message from the
President The further admission is
made that full unofficial advices have
been received that the report will show
an external explosion.