The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-09
PEACE RETGNS.
Concluded from First Pa~eA


arrive early next week, he will be Joined
by Lieutenant j. c. Colwell naval attache
of the American embassy at London. Com
mander Brownson will next go to France
with as little delay as possible and will
confer with Lieutenant w. S. Sims, naval
attache to the American embassy at Paris,
and in his company inspect the two battle
ships-Marshal Floriano and Marshal Deo-
doro-now building for the Brazilian navy
and which, it is understood, can be pur-
chased by the United States. Commander
Brownson is also charged with the i'm
portant duty Of investigating the prac-
ticability of the purchase from foreign
manufacturers of ordnance material in case
our own supply should prove inadequate.
1t is known positively that negotiations are
in progress towards having the United
States acquire the two crack cruisers now
building 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,
our own government the Japanese govern
ment and the ship builders. There is good
reason to believe that terms could be made
between the United States and the ship
builders and so far as they are concerned
the transaction could be concluded without
much further negotiation. But there is no
disposition to ignore the rights of Japan.
While suggestions have been made that the
right of eminent domain would permit the
United States to take the two cruisers with
out reference to Japan's rights, there is no
desire amorg officials here. to resort to such
radical steps. Moreover, it is said that
such action would be an international Of
Tense directed against Japan and an I'M
friendly act, which this government is not
likely to commit at this moment towards a
friendly power.
NEARLY COMPLETED.
The present negotiations contemplate
Japan's full acquiescence, but whether they
will succeed cannot be said at this time.
1t is known positively, however, that no
overtures have been submitted thus far to
the authorities at Toxic and it would be
for them to give the final decision. Pend
ing this a contract could not be made nor
an option given. The negotiations took a
marked step forward to-day, although, as
stated, they have not yet reached the final
stage. The two cruisers are not only be-
ing built for Japan, but they have already
become the actual property of Japan by
the payment of a considerable portion of
They are within three months of compile
ton on an emergency basis. They are de-
signed to make twenty-five knots, which
ranks them among the swiftest cruisers in
the world. Their armament, primary and
secondary, is according to Japanese naval
standards which proved so effective in her
recent war with China. The government Of
fcials here feel that there is not likely to
be manifested any exhibition of a DISPOSE
ton on the part Of the Japanese govern
ment to stand on technical objections to
the sale of these ships to the United States
government in case the decision is reached
to purchase them, basing this belief on
many kindly expressions that of late have
come to their notice and to the past record
of the Japanese nation.
The big armored cruiser Brooklyn started
away from Laguayra to-day under orders
from the Navy Department directly for
Hampton roads. She has been making a
flying cruise in the West Indies and
around the eastern end of Cuba and it was
the original intention to have her go to
Colon, on the isthmus, and thence to work
northward along the eastern coast Of Cen
trail America. The sending of the ship to
Hampton roads instead of returning her
to Key West, whence she came, is taken
as an evidence of change in policy on
the part of the naval strategistS, who have
come to the conclusion that the gathering
of the most and best Of the vessels of the
North Atlantic quadron at Key West is
putting too many of our eggs in one basket
and unduly exposing the Eastern coast.
There has also been talk of organizing a
flying squadron composed altogether of
fleet cruisers, four in number and having
them ready to go to sea at a moment s
notice in pursuit of an enemys ships, rely
ing upon the big battle ships for the home
guard. This, however, has not been decided
upon.
A proposition that received instant atten-
ton and is expected to be approved in the
end came to the Navy Department to-day.
This was to turn over to the Navy De-
partment ten of the best boats in the light
house service. These boats are from three
to four hundred tons burden, good sea
boats, manned by officers thoroughly ia
miliar with every indentation of the At
lantic coast and capable of being easily
transformed into efficient gunboats. The
Mangrove is vessel of this character,
new, stanch and speedy. 1t is proposed to
place six-inch rifle on a pivot mount on
each vessel forward and place light armor
around the boilers and machinery to pro-
tect them from small arms fire at least.
The attention of the department has also
been called to the feasibility of recruiting
the naval list from the revenue marine cut
tiers, a number of which are fully equal,
being given arms, to the smaller type of
gunboats now in the service. If these YES
sells were availed of they would be assigned
to duty along the Southern coasts, MAIN
tanning blockades and relieving the larger
and more expensive cruisers of much worri-
some duty.
LOOKS WARLIKIG EVERYWHERE,