The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-09
BROWNSON,S TRIP

To Europe Calmly Decided on-IIe Goes
to Tnrestigato the Foroigm Shlpyards,
aud win Report to tho Navy D-part-
nent the Result or Ills Trip.
WASHINGTON, March S.-There was
u very strong suggestion CT the state of
affairs that might exist In time OF ac-
tual war in the busy scenes presented
at the navy and war departments to-
day. There was an almost unbroken
succession OF conferences between off,
GERS and officials OF various degrees and
throughout both these branches OF the
war establishment the greatest actiy-
ity was exhibited.
Secretary Long was particularly busy,
Before 10 O'clock he had been Obliged
TO retire to his private office and deny
himself to callers in order to hold q
conference. Senator Lodge was pres
ent as we'll as Chairman Hale. OF the
senate naval committee; Chairman
Boutelle. OF the house naval committee;
Captain Crown!nshield, chief OF the
navigation bureau: Captain Bradford,
chief OF the equipment bureau; Captain
Brownson and Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt. Chief Constructor H!chborn
and Admiral Mntthews. chief Of the bu-
read of yards and docks. were also call
ed to the conference by the secretary
to deal with special phases OF the prep-
aratlons for putting the navy at the
highest state OF efficiency, and the fact
that Secretary Long is consulting at
every step with the representatives OF
the legislative branch OF the govern
ment shows the desire of the President
to keep within the strict spirit OF the
constitution.
Secretary Long found time during the
progress OF the conference to talk q
moment with Mr. Lane, who has sub
mitted to the department proposals for
the sale OF certain warships now build
Ing in Europe at private shlpyards.
What passed between them Is no.
known, but Mr.. Lane hastened immedl-
ntely to the cable office ut the conclu-
sion Of the conversation to communicate
directly with his, principals In Europe.
The secretary made It plain TO the
legislators OF the conference that the
department Is very much better pre-
pared than has been supposed In the
matter OF accurate information Of the
shipbuildlng In progress In European
shlpyards. But the point upon which
the department now seeks TO inform
Itself goes beyond this and looks to sc.
curing information as to which OF these
ships can be purchased Immediately. 1t
was shown that very many more dill
culties exist than the public Is aware Of
in tho requirement OF such property as
warships. Most OF those craft under
construction are being built under spe-
cial orders, for various governments,
and only few, and those perhaps not
Of the most desirable type, lre in the
builders hands IN such shape that they
| can be at once disposed OF. In the case
of some OF tho European powers un-
der n strong monarchial form OF gov.
ernment, 1t Is possible for permission
| to be given at once for tho sale OF q
| ship to another nation, but In the case
| OF moro compleNcd forms of govern
mcnt such as those as exist In the
South American republics which have
ordered ships now under construction
IN Europe. It Is feared that grave con-
stltuttonnl ind lcgal objections exist TO
the transfer OF the rights Of these cOtln.
tries In their ships to us. Decessltntlng
recourse to the Legislative branches of
their government for authorization
This VIII be Il time consuming PROCESS
;hnt could be scarcely entertained In,
our case. i.
1t Is particularly with view TO nc.
Tuiring information on this point, that
Is the possibility OF buying ships I'm.