The record-union., 1898-03-09
Will be Well Prepared for Any
Emergency That May Arise.
The War and Navy Departments Accom-
plshlng Much in the Way Of Pro-
curing Ammunition, Coal
and Other Supplies,

WASHINGTON. March SIN spite of
numerous conferences of officials of the
continuation OF the preparations now N
! progress on d large scale to put the
country in a state of defense, OF the
outburst OF patriotic sentiment in Con-
gress, there was certain feeling appar-
ent in the best informed circles that the
situations as to our relations with
Spain Was to-day much more favorable
than Il was yesterday. Perhaps the
semi official advices received through
the Associated Press from Madrid, in
dieating a peaceful purpose on the part
of the Spanish Government, contributed
in large measure to that feeling. or 1t
may have been that the growing inoWl-
edge of the vast extent of our own re-
sources tended to the belief that they
would impress others with the futility
of attacking the United States. How
ever that may be, the feeling prevailed,
and at the White House, tCo, after the
Cabinet meeting, wherein all OF the
facts that We're known to the President
as to the existing state of affairs were
laid unreservedly before the Cabinet
members and discussed
While Captain Brownson is going
abroad for the Government TO learn OF
the ships of war that are for sale and
their conditions he Will not necessarily
make any purchases. The officer lett
Washington tonight. and will take the
steamer to Southampton, sailing from
New York. He will report his arri-
val Immediately at the United States
Embassy in London, but further than
that the Captain declines to indicate
the places he will visit in Europe He
has been furnished all the information
in the possession of the Navy Depart
ment respecting the shipping IN course
of construction in Europe and had
talk to-day with Mr.. Lane, who IS said
10 have some of these ships for sale,
though he does not at present have the
right in the case of the two small Bra
lillian battleships now building at La
Seine. France As to these. or indeed
anv Brazilian or Chilean warships, 1t
has been discovered that Brazil and
Chile are parties TO a treaty, by the
terms OF which neither country can sell
any Of it's warships unless the other
also sells a ship. The reason for this
peculiar provision is to be found in the
alliance that is reported to have been
entered into by these two countries for
mutual protection against Argentine and
other South American nations.
Captain Brownsop does not expect to
stay abroad long, and goes only on con-
dition that he may return Immediately
in ease of an open rupture.
As to the right to buy foreign war
ships, Ill authorities agree that such
purchases may be made even after
ho.stil;ies have begun, if the neutral ma
tion exercises strict impartiality be-
tween the belligerents. and the ships
are not armed and outfitted ready for
service. The trade of ship-buildins is
recognized as a legitimate one, which
NAV be carried on at ali times.
A good deal is being accomplished in
the way of preparation in both the
Navy and War departments. The con-
ference at the Navy Department to-
day looked into the procurement OF
suitable store of ammunition, coal and
supplies. touched on the question of dry
docks. and generally considered num-
Der of other matters connected with
the operations of warships.
The War Department was not be-
hind the Navy. General Flasler, Chief
Of Ordnance, is very busy reaching out
in every direction by means of the tel
esraph and the mail to learn just how
far the resources of the big private
manufacturing concerns can be relied
on to come to the aid of the War De-
partment in arming and equipping a
volunteer army, should one be found
necessary He will aot tell what he is
doing in this direction, holding that it