The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-29
SWEPT Bare.
Markets of Europe Have Been
Cleaned by U. s.
For Munitions of War and Bat
tleships.
FAST STEAMERS HIRED
To Bring Guns and Powder to
America.
We Have Secured Every Tor
pedO in the Market.

New York, March 29.-James Creelman
wires the Journal from London:
A great battle is in progress between
the United States and Spain for permis-
sion to buy the Italian cruisers Varese
and Garabaldi. Commander Brownson is
in Italy trying to persuade Italy to sell
the ships to the American government.
Austria is savageIy fighting against it and
trying to help Spain.
1t is a fact within my knowledge that
the United States has bought every war
vessel that can be had in Europe.
We have secured every torpedo in the
market.
Hundreds and hundreds of tons of am
munitiOn have been bought We have also
secured enough artillery. ranging from 6
inch rifles downward, to fOrtify our coasts
ana, together with the arms already IN
the United States. to equip at least a
hundred and twenty private vessels as
cruisers and privateers.
The San Francisco and Amazonas are
being loaded with tOrpedOes, guns and
ammunition intended for the army, as
wei as the navy, and viii probably sail
for New York direct tomorrow.
Special fast steamers have been char
tered in Great Britain and are being load
ed with war material for America
Never has a government acted with
greater energy in face of war The Unit
ed States has even tried to buy ships from
Great Britain.
Thus far everything for sale that can
be used against Spain has been bought
The only two available ships now are
the Varese and Garibaldi, for which Amer
The Journals Rome correspondent tele-
graphs me absolute fact that Brin,
the italian minister of marine, has already
signed an agreement to sell the NareSe To
Spain. The United States protests at
Rome on the ground that the sale of the
cruiser faVOrS Spain against the United
States. Brin answers that he cannot break
his engagement with Spain He is, how
ever, disposed to sell another Warshtp to
the United States.
1t is said that Austria is not the only
government bringing pressure to bear on
Italy to prevent America from getting
ships, on the ground that the sale may in
crease the chances of war.
In the chamber of deputies at ROme,
COlonels Santini and Farina presented in
terpolations aimed against the sale OF
WarShipS.
The italian minister of marine declared
that he had received proposals to buy
ships from several governments IheSe,
he said. would be examined by the gov
alton all the circumstances before decid-
ing. For the present he must refuse to
say more.
Santini replied: Italy should not sell
self one day at war with those powers to
whom she had sold the vessels.
Farina: I'VE should not deprive our
selves of our means of defense.
Santini offered motion against the sale
of warships. The chamber, by an enorm-
Gus majority, decided to discuss the mo-
ton tomorrow. The prospect IS that to-
mOrrow'S sitting will be very important
sale. knowing such sale would be to bene-
fit Spain. I have questioned several dep
utieS about the probable result OF tOmor-
row 5 session. GiOlOtti, Bacceln and san
don the idea of selling warships he viii
be oVerthrOWn. BacceIH said Italy would
be eternalIy dishOnOred if she placed her
warships at the disposal of Spain