The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-09

ernmen4 To learn what ships or war are
for sale \nd their condition, but he will
not necessarily make purchases. He has
been furnished all OF the information in
the possession of the navy department
respecting the shipping in course of con-
struction In Europe, and had a talk with
Mr.. Lane. who is said TO have some of
those ships for sale. though he does not
at present have the right in the case of
the two small Brazilian battleships now
building at Laseynne. France. AS to
these or indeed any Brazilian or Chilian
warships IL has been discovered that
Brazil and Chill are parties to treaty
by the terms OF which neither country
can sell any OF its warships unless the
other also sells ship. The reason for
this peculiar provision is to be found in
the alliance that is reported to have
been entered into by these countries for
mutual protection against Argentine and
other South American nations.
AS to the right to buy foreign warships
all authorities agree that such purchases
may be made, even after hostilities have
begun, If the neutral nation exercises
strict impartiality between the bel
ligerents and the ships are not armed
and outfitted ready for sevtice. The
trade OF shipbuilding is recognized as
a legitimate one. which may be carried
on at all times. MIR. Clay, when secre-
tary of state. laid down the principle as
follows: IF IL be forbidden by the law
of nations TO sell to belligerent an
armed vessel completely equipped and
ready for action. 1t is believed not to be
contrary to the law to sell to a belliger-
ent vessel in any other state. although
IL may be convertible into a ship OF war"
Mr.. Clay specified a case in which Spain
and one of the South American repub-
lies, then at war. each bought a ship
from the same shipbuilder. which ships
afterward met on the sea and had an en-
gagement. He also specified the case of
Russia's selling a whole fleet of ships to
Spain, including some of the Russian
ships of the line. while Russia held a
neutral attitude between Spain and the
southern republic with which she was at
war. The subject has been before the
American courts, and in one case Jus
tice Story held: while the sale of a
vessel, armed or unarmed, 10 a belliger-
ent, is not forbidden by international
law, such a vessel, even on it's way to
the purchaser, is liable TO seizure as
contraband."
In later case before the supreme
court, the distinction is made between
the unlawful act OF fitting out and arm
Ing ship Of war for n belligerent and
the lawful act OF selling such ships TO be
converted into men-of-war. The de-
cision says that the distinction is the
same as that between the lawful act of
gunsmith in selling a pistol, and the
unlawful act of the same gunsmth in
arranging that a pistol shall be used for
q criminal act.
IL is known that negotiations are in
progress toward having the United
States acquire the two cruisers now
building for Japan. one at Cramps ship
yard at Philadelphia and the other at
the Union iron works OF San Francisco.
There is good reason to believe that
terms could be made between the United
States and the shipbuilders, 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 without reference to
Japan's rights, there is no desire among
officials here to resort TO such steps.
Moreover. il is stated that such action
would be an international offense di-
rected against Japan. and an unfriendly
act which this government is not likely
TO commit at this moment toward n
friendly power. The two cruisers are not
only being built for Japan, but they have
already become the actual property OF
Japan by the payment Of 81 $50 900 on
each. They are within three months OF
completion on an emergency basis They
are designed TO make % knots. which
fanks them among the swiftest cruisers
in the world There has been talk Of
organizing a flying squadron composed
altogether OF fleet cruisers. four i'm num-
ber and having them ready to go to sea
at moments notice i'm pursuit of an
enemy's ships. relying on the big battle
ehips for the home guard. This. how
ever, has not been decided upon
A proposition that received atten-
tion and Is expected to be approved in
the end came to the navy department.
yesterday. This was 20 turn over to the
navy department 10 of the best boats In
the lighthouse service. These boats are
from 300 to 400 tons burden. good sea
boats, manned by officers thoroughly
familiar with every indentaton of the
Atlantic coast and capable of being
easily transformed into efficient gum
boats. IT n proposed to place n six-inch
rife on PIVOT mount on each vessel for
ward. and TO place light armor around
the boilers and machinery to protect
them from small arms fire at least. The
attention. Of the department has also
been called 10 the feasibility OF recruiting
the naval list from tho revenue marine
cutters. Q number OF which are fully
equal, being given arms. to the small
type OF s'inboats now in the Service.
If these vessels were availed OF. they
would be assigned TO duty along the
southern coast. maintaining blockades
and relieving the larger cruisers OF much
worrisome duty.
a good deal IL being accomplished in
the way Of preparation I'm both the navy
and war departments. Navy officials
looked into the procurement OF suitable
store OF ammunition. coal and supplies.
touched upon the question OF dry docks.
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