The San Francisco call., 1898-03-05
THE UNITED STATES MAY HEREAFTER BE
 A BIG PURCHASER
President Mckinley Gets Ready for the Worst and the Relations of the Two Powers Have Taken a Most
 Hostile Aspect.

LONDON, March At was re- ported to-day that Spain had pur- chased two cruisers which the Arm strongs have been building for Bra gil, the Amazonas and a sister ship, the Barrozo, of 4OOO tons each, 23 knots and 10 guns. Later, when Armstrong's manager was asked as to the truth of this report, he denied it most emphatically. "The Ana zonas left the Tyne yesterday with native crew for Brazil" he said. built by us, is ready to sail" Spain is alsonegotiating for and will probably secure two cruisers of a similar type which have been building in France for Brazil. These are presumed to be the Deodoro and the Floriano, which are building at La Sienne, Toulon. These are small but powerful battle ships. Their tonnage is only 3162, but they carry four 1O-inch rifles in turrets in addition to two 6-inch and four 1o-inch guns and good second ary batteries. Their coal endurance, however, ss small and their forte would seem to be coast defense oper- ations, or cruising near the base of supplies.
 The Spanish Government is also endeavoring to secure guns and large supplies of munition in England and on the Continent for immediate use. The Government of Spain seems to have funds, for it is understood to be paying a large part of the purchase money in cash, giving good security for the balance, these being the only terms upon which the Armstrong; would deal. Some weeks ago Spain attempted to purchase ships and supplies in England on credit from prominent firms having close rela- tions with the Government, but after inquiries the firms refused to give credit. Since then Spain has raised funds from unknown sources. Diplo- mats in London express the belief that French fnanciers are helping the Spanish Government, although this is denied in a Madrid dispatch which says Spain is without money other than that needed to send the fleet already started across the ocean.
 It is known that Spain is trying to purchase three other ships which will be rebuilt by the Armstrongs, but she has not yet succeeded in making a bargain, consequently there is still time if the United States wishes to forestall her.
 The Amazonas and Barrozo, the two cruisers said to have been pur- chased by Spain, are sister ships of 345O tons, 75OO horsepower and an estimated speed of 20 knots. They were built to order for the Brazilian Government at Armstrong 6 Co.'s yard. Elswick, the Barrozo being launched August 25, 1896, and the Amazonas December 4, 1896, while a third one is still on the stocks. They are sheathed with wood and coppered, thus avoiding frequent dockage and enabling them to keep at sea and maintain their intended speed. Their dimensions are 33O feet 10 inches length, 43 feet 9 inches beam and a mean draught of 16 feet 10 inches. The protective deck ex- tending clear fore and aft is 3 inches thick. The normal coal supply on 345O tons displacement is 700 tons and the bunker capacity is $50 tons, calculated to give steaming radius of 5000 knots at the most economical speed.
 The armament consists of six G. inch rapid fire guns of 5O-caliber-or 25 feet in ngth-located so as to fire three ahead and three astern. There are also four 5O-caliber 4.7- inch rapid fire guns, ten 6-pounder and four 1-pounder Nordenfelt rapid fire guns, four Maxim guns, two landing guns and three torpedo tubes.
 The two armored coast defense ves- sells ordered by Brazil from the Forges ct Chautiers de la Mediter- rance, have been named Marshal Deo- doro and Marshal Floriano. Their construction has been delayed owing to changes which the Brazilian Navy Department desired to introduce in the design. They are of 3112 tons displacement on draught of 13 feet