The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-25

For fear some Spanish cruiser may lie
that VIII early in july bring back the r.
turning k1eadiksFs with their millions %
yellow stun. she vessels wiz he we'll armed.
II ,hesr owners can secure the guns from
the navy department. The fleet Will prob
ably oe composed OF the Roanoke. Of the
North American Transportation and
Trading Company, the Portland. for the
Alaska Commercial Company. the Br.x-
ham. for the Boston and Alaska Trans
porsa,ioa Company. and several others.
The Brixham is the first 10 take steps 70
secure aa armament.
Gensral Manager Psugrse, OF the Boston
and Alaska Transportation Company, has
telegraphed TO Washington Tor six Gat-
ling guns. and expects "a favorable answer
today from tina secretary Of the navy. Ii
VIII be- secured. bat there Is little doubt
that the Brixham vii. he armed. She will
leave port next Monday for trip 20
Hooper bay. With the river steamer Gen.
P.ngree in tow. She viii then return di-
rect 20 Seattle for her first load Of ixion-
d,kers for the mouth OF the Yukon. IL is
GA this trip that the Brixham expects 10
have use for the guns that are expected
from the navy department. The Boston
and Alaska Company believe that they will
get to carry a share OF the returning
klondskers' wealth. and they don't propose
to lose any OF 1t 10 Spanish or oihsr p!-
rates
Certain members of the Boston and
Alaska Transported ton Company at Wash
ington and New York are very close 10
the leaders Of the Cuban republic in this
country. The Laurada, which Is now on
her way around the Horn TO join the COM
panys Alaska fleet, has done great deal
Tor the Cuban cause. Ii IS through the
Cubans that the coInpany's officers got the
first indication that. should war be de-
cared. Spain would make the attempt TO
get away with the Klondike gold, even
though II would have TO be captured thou
sands Of miles frcm her coal supply.
1t is generally conceded that the amount
OF treasure that VII come down on the
first few STEAMERS this summer Will be not
less than $50. 600 600. Seine think that even
more than that viii be brought out, if
the TWO commercial companies take their
immense wealth TO the states This would
be worth Spans while To try for. She has
already offered 10 sell some OF her most
valued colonial possessions 10 a foreign
government for sao.oe0.oyo. The steamship
men urge that she would be capable OF
making a great effort to get hold Of that
much in cold cash. The United States
gunboat Wheeling and the revenue cutter
Bear are now the only government vessels
In far northern waters. BY the time The
gold shipment begins the Bear will be
IT, -.
the wrecked whaiers. The Wheeling may
be ordered almost anywhere, az she Ia to
call for her dispatches early In May. Con-
sequently the Treasure ships viii have In
depend on their speed and such guns az
can be- mounted on their decks.
The Roanoke. en- her voyage around the
Horn. Is now at San Francisco. where she
arrived last Saturday morning. She will
remain there about a month, bus will ar
rive here Ia ample time to reach
ST. Michael as soon as the FIRST
boat gets down the river. What the
North American Transportation and Trad
ing Company. vii do TT regarding her arma-
ment is ye. TO be decided. Last year they
put Maxim gun on the Portland, with
far less excuse than they have this year
The Roanoke Is very fleet steamer and
could probably show a clean pair Of heels
to any sort OF vessels the Spanish might
send after her. The famous old treasure
ship Portland Is not fast enough 10 de-
scribe circles around Spanish man-of-
war, but her decks have seen guns before
and she has already had enc brush with a
Spanish war vessel.
Capt. Durie, OF the Brixhsm, says he
Will take chase from any Spanish craft
afioat, IL they only try TO overhaul him I'm
a STERN. He says that the Brixham can
make faster tracks through the trough of
the Sfa than anything that the Snaussh
can send Out. The Brixham would have
been In the service of the government by
this time had she remained on the other
coast. Capt. Duf.e II also In lire for gov
eminent service. He has already received
warning that his services are likely TO be
needed at any time. and may get call he
fore he leaves fer Hooper bay For years
he has run In and out OF the ports of Cuba
IN ffulters and g acquainted with the wa