Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-08

verdict it will reach. He would consider
the court as an irresponsible one should it
dc this. He looks upon the court in the
same light as a supreme court of this
country. He would not expect an advance
verdict from court of justice and would
have no op.rion of one which would act
liz this way
Conferences Mt the Navy Department..
There a very strong suggestion of
the state of affairs that might exist in time
of actual war in the busy scenes presented
at the Navy and War Departments today.
There was almost an unbroken succession
of conferences between officers ami off,
Gals of various degrees, and throughout
both these branches of the war establish
nent the greatest activity was exhibited.
Secretary Long was partic ularly busy.
Before 10 o'clock he had been obliged to
retire to his priv office and deny himself
to the many callers in his reception room,
in order to hold a conference. Senator
Lodge was present as well as Chairman
Hale of the Senate naval committee,
Chairman Boutelle of the House naval
committee, Capt. Crownins hield, chief of the
navigation bureau; Capt. Bradford, chief
of the equipment bureau,~and Capt. Brown
son and Assistant Secretary Roosevelt.
Matthews, chief of the bureau of yards
and docks, were also called to the confer
ence by the Secretary to deal with special
phases of the question under considera-
ton. OF course all this had to do with the
preparations 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 legis-
latIve branch of the government shows the
desire of the President to keep within the
strict spirit cf the Cons titution in making
wnat are regarded as necessary prepara-
tions for any emergency that may occur.
Secretary Long also found time during the
progress of the conference to talk a mo-
inent with Mr.. Lane, who has submitted
to the department proposals for the sale
OF certain warships now building in Europe
at private shipyards. What passed be-
tween them Is not known, but Mr. Lane
hasteEcd Immediately to the cable office at
the conclusion of the conversation TO COM
munIcate directly with his principals in
Europe.
Dfhculty in Securing Wnrships.
The Secretary made it plain to the legis-
lators at the conference that the depart
ment is very much better prepared than
has been supposed in the matter of ac-
curate infoln alton of the ship building in
progress in European shipyards. But the
point upon which the department now
seeks 10 inform itself goes beyond this and
locks to securing Information as to which
OF these ships can be purchased immedi-
ateIy. 1t was shown that very many more
difficulties exist than The public is aware of
in the requirement of such property as
warshfps. Most of these craft under con-
struction are being built under special or
ders for various governments, and only
few, and those perhaps not OF the most
desirable type, are in the builders hands in
such shape ti-St they be at once dis
posed of. In the case of some of the
European powers, under strong monar-
chial ferns of government, it is possible
for permission TO be given at once for the
sale of ship buiiiing to their order to
another nation, bat in the case of more
&C nil,ieX forms OF government such as
those as exist in the South American re-
publics. which have ordered ships now
under construction in Europe, it is feared
that grave constitutional AMI legal objec-
tiCns exist to the transfer of the rights of
these countries in their ships to the United
States. necessitating recourse to the leg.s-
lative branches cf their government for
authorization. This will be a time-consun-
ing process that could scarcely be enter
tanned in our case.
1t is particularly with a view 10 acquir-
ing informe ticn on this poilt-that is the
possibility of buying ships imme lately
that Capt BTownson has been selected to
go to Europe. He is an officer of great
discretion, and his experience on the board
OF inspection which is charged with the
duty of most thoroughly examining all
ships built for the navy has thoroughly
familiariZed i'm with all of the details Of
the various types Of warships, battle ships,
armored cruisers, protected cruisers, mon
itors, torpedo boats and all of the kinds of
ship that would be likely to be available
for purchase. After the conference he had
a long interview with Assistant Secretary
Day ot the State Department and arranged
to obtain letters OF an extraordinary ma
ture to facilitate his inquiries abroad. These
are In shape of letters to United States
ambassadors and ministers abroad instruct
ing them to place every force at their dis
posal at work to help Capt. Rrownson.
Two Crack Cruisers From Japan.
1t is known positively that negotiations
are in progress toward having the United
States acquire the two crack cruisers now
being built for Japan, one at the Cramp
shipyards at Philadelphia and the other at
the Union Iron Works of San Francisco.
The negotiations are naturally circuftous,
as there are three parties in interest, name
ly, the Japanese government, the United
States and the shipbuilders. There is good
reason to believe that terms could be made
between the United States and the ship
builders, and that far as they are con-
cerned the transaction could be concluded
without much further negotiation. But
there is no disposition 10 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 desire among officials
here to resort to such radical steps. More
over. it is said that such action would be
an international offense directed against
Japan. and an unfriendly act, which this
government is MT likely to commit at this
moment toward friendly power. But the
present negotiations contemplate no offense
TO Japan, but rather her full acquiescence.
How far such negotiations will succeed
cannot be said at this time. 1t is known
positively. however. that no overtures have