Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-15
lie II Quoted AZ saying That He
Thinks War IL imminent-Prepara
lions for Defence Continue-The
brooklyn at Fort Monroe.

The negotiations for the purchase of the
two fne cruisers just about completed
by the Armstrong; in England for the
Brazilian Government were closed YES
terday and those warships are now the
property of the United States, and will
be brought to this country forthwith.
Spain had in vain been striving 10 obtain
these vessels.
a dangerous deficiency of officers in the
engineer branch Of the navy has been
discovered, and the matter has been
brought to the attention Of the House
Naval Committee.
Senator Proctor called at the White
House yesterday, and had a long con-
ference with the President. but declined
afterwards to say anything with respect
90 any information he may have i'm
parted.
Senor Polo Y Bernabs, the Spanish Min
ister, denied emphatically that any com
missioner from the Spanish Government
had been in Washington to make over
lures for terms Of settlement with the
Cuban insurgents.
senior Polo also stated that the pros
pective sailing of the Spanish torepdo
hotilla for Habana had been long con-
tcmplated, and bore no relation whatever
10 recent conditions.
Senor Polo says he has received no
intimation as to the findings Of the Span
ish court Of inquiry into the Maine disas-
ter, but that his private opinion is that
the explosion was due to accident.
Colonel Parker, who accompanied Sen
ator Proctor in his recent visit to Cuba,
says the Americans on the island have
no doubt that the disaster was caused
through Spanish agency, though they
have nothing authoritative on which to
base their belief He says further, that
the insurgents are in better shape than
ever before. He states that the condition
of the reconcentradoes is deplorable in
the extreme, but that the relief sent by
Americans is beginning to make itself
Ielt among them.
Colonel Parker speaks in the highest
terms of General Lee and the work he is
doing.
Fitzhugh Lee, Jr., Esq, arrived at
Tampa CuIudSs Alt NcAo ANNiN'AN 'b'NN
official matters, but is reported to have
said. among other things, that in his
opinion, war between Spain and this
country is imminent, though diplomacy
would be taxed to the utmost to pre-
vent II. He thought that while the re-
mort of the Maine court of inquiry has
not been made public, its purport is pro-
/, ,lVfff los at h
lngton. He denied that his father is in
any danger of violence. He denied also'
that the General had asked the United
States Government to send more war
sbips 10 Habana for the protection OF
American interests. When young NJ.
Lee left Habana the impression there
was that he was the bearer OF an orlclai
report from the court of inquiry to Presi-
dent Mckinley, as well as important re-
ports from his father TO the Secretary Oh
State at Washington.
The big armored cruiser Brooklyn ar
rived at Fort Monroe yesterday. She VIII
svyait there the Minneapolis and the CO.
Iumbia. it is said, and this force 1t Is De-
lfeyed will form the nucleus OF the NY
fms, souadron." which has been spoken OF
as a probability
The Bureau of Ordnance yesterday
opened bids for large supply oI ariloi-
piercing projectiles.
Tho Roard on Auxiliary Cruisers met
and organized in New York It's oruerS
from the Navy Department are 10 hurry
nm"