The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-09
OPTIONS ON REiex WARsH1rs.
Cemmander Brownsou to sail for Lsndon Te-
Day with Eull Authority.

Day with Full Authority.
WARRINGTON, March s.-Tho best plan for
securing now vessels to add to the present Of.
fective force Of the navy was discussed Mt
length at o conference held in Secretary Longs
| office this morning between Mr.. Long, Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt, Capt. Crowninshield. Chief
Of tho Bureau of Navigation Commander
O'Neil, Chief Of the Bureau Of Ordnance: Com.
mander Brownson Of tho Board of Inspection
and Survey. Chief Naval Constructor Hichborn.
| Senators Halo, Frye. and Lodge, and Represent
alive Boutelle.
Tho discussion was occupied chiefly with plans
for securing options on foreign warships In
course of construction. tho presumption being
that the passage of tho special appro-
| priation bill to-day would mako $780,
oOo. 1000 Immediately available. 1t was
decided that Commander Willard II. Brown
son should 10 abroad Immediately. with
authority to open negotiations for vessels OF
war. He will sail on the American line steam
ship st. Paul from New York tomorrow. Com.
mander Brownson will proceed to London.
where he may receive additional instructions
from the Government by cable. IL, was agreed
that ho should have full authority to select any
and all ships needed and to place options on
them.
The proposal OF an English shipbuildinG
bureau, made through its agent in Washington,
for the transfer to the United States of four YES
sells somewhat similar in typo to tho Cincinnati.
but moro formidable than that cruiser, was re-
jected on the ground that they were not suitable
for the purpose. as the United Statef have
enough cruisers Of that class.
There was q full and free exchange of views
at the conference as to the character Of tho YES
sells that are desired. and whilo fast unarmored
| cruisers will not be overlooked by Commander
Brownson on his trip abroad, tho consensus
of opinion expressed was that his first
endeavor should be to ascertain what
battleships, armored cruisers. torpedo-boat
destroyers. and torpedo boats are on the
market. Tho names of some Of the armor.
clade under construction for foreign Govern
ments were mentioned and Commander Brown
son was directed TO devote his energies to find.
ing out what means are necessary to secure
these for the United States.
While It is generally understood in naval
circles that several powerful ships abroad can
be had for tho contract price and . sufficient
bonus, there has been no definite information
received by the Navy Department to that
| effect. and it will be Commander Brownson's
business to ascertain whether any Of the Gov
ernments for which they are being built will
be willing to part with them, and II
so. how soon the necessary arrange
ments can be made. Tho mission with
WHlCn no IL lhtEuolCu 10 II requiring
great tact and ability. and Commander Brown
son was selected to act as the agent Of this
| Government on account of the confidence which
Secretary Long has In his possession of these
qualities. He has. 1t is said. the greatest lati-
tude in making arrangements. oven to the ex-
tent of closing options In tho name OF the
United States Government
Before leaving Washington this afternoon
Commander Brownson secured letters from
the State Department which will assist
him greatly in his duties. He will 60
first to London and probably thence
to English Shipyards. and afterward to
France. During his stay abroad he will have
tho cooperation of the United States naval at.
taches. some of whom are now actively en-
gagged in paving the way for his visit. A number
of cable messages have been exchanged
between tho Navy Department. and Lieut..
Collwell. tho naval attsche at London
on the subject of purchasing ships. 1t is said
that the Navy Department has been practically
assured that it can buy the battleshipO 'HigRins.
being built for the CHILEAN service. and four
torpedo boat Destroyer. under construction by
tho Thornycroft Company.
No confirmation has been obtained by the
Navy Department of the reports that Spain 10
buving ships.
While devoted principally to the question
of augmenting the navy by immediate
purchases. the conference was also of a
general character with regard to naval
preparations for war. Several of tho
Naval Bureau chiefs explained, for the
thought was necessary to put the navy in fight