Evening star., 1898-03-05
srAIN's REPORTED PURCHASE.
Denial Comes of the Truth of tho
Published Statements,


Naval officials are deeply Interested in
the reports Of the purchase of warships
by Spain, published in yesterdays STAR
and make the reports of these 'transac-
ticns the text for complaints of the in
ability of our Navy Department to do like
wise. However. to the report from
London of the purchase Of the Amazonas
by Spain 1t Is said at the department that
this vessel sailed for Brazil several months
ago and has been delivered to the Bra
lillian government. Her sister ship Is near
completion In the Armstrong yards. They
are useful cruisers. copies of the Barossa
now of the Brazilian navy, and their
strong point Is their great radius of ac-
tion-S,OOO miles-which would enable them
to cross the Atlantic and recross without
renewing their coal supply. The other two
ships building for Brazil in France, which
are also reported to be about to pass into
Spanish possession, are presumed to be
the Deadoro and the Flor;ona, which are
building at La Seinne, Toulon. These are
small but powerful little battle ships. Their
tonnage is only 3, 162 but they carry four
1O-inch rifles in turrets, in addition to two
6-inch and four 47-inch guns and a good
secondary battery. Their coal endurance
however, is small and their forte would
seem to be coast defense operations, OF
cruising near a base of supplies.
Later press reports are to the effect that
the Armstrong; manager denies the truth
Of the reported purchase.
The London reports also caused comment
at the State Department. In some quar-
tiers the feeling was expressed that pend
ing the finding of court of inquiry OH a
case having the international phases OF
the Maine explosion the obligations OF
neutrality we're as strongly imposed or
Great Britain and Brazil as in time OF
war. The precedents apply only to con-
dition Of war and not to conditions which
may eventually lead to war. In the
ard fv1a
by Great Britain prior to the breaking out
Of the rebellion constituted part Of the
case on which heavy damages were award.
ed against her. But as general rule for.
ships, either directly or through their citi
zens, up to the actual date of hostililies.
No Date Fixed for n Report.
1t was developed through telegraphic
correspondence between Secretary Long
and Admiral Sicard yesterday that the
court of inquiry is. unable to fix even ar
| approximate date for the conclusion of its
investigation into the disaster to the
Maine.
Snaring the general anxiety for some in
formation on this point, Secretary Lone
yesterday, at the instance of the cabinet
sent telegram to Admiral Sicard asking
nun Wnen II was expected that the report
| OF the court would be made, and late al
night received the following reply from
| Admiral Sicard:
Have talked with the president of the
court OF inquiry and agree with him that
| It Is not yet possible to fix a date for the
nnding. as SO much depends upon the pro-
| gress Of the divers and wreckers. and the
results they obtain. Every effort il
Deing made to advance the inquiry. The
court returns to Havana by the Mangroye
this evening. having about finished the ex-
animation at Key West.'
| Aomirai Sicards message is regarded Of
| nciaily as disposing Of the reports that the
court mas as yet obtained positive or CON
elusive information bearing upon the OBJ
! 1ect Of its investigation. It is taken to
mean that upon the testimony or discoy-
cries OF the divers will depend the finding
| the examination of the officers and crew
OF the ship having been insufficient to en-
| able the court to even form an idea as to
what lines may be opened up from the in.
Vestigation of the wreck itself.
While the telegram was naturally some.
what OF disappointment in leaving the
termination Of the inquiry as much IN
| doubt as ever, 1t was welcomed as practi.
caliy setting at rest the reports as to tht
results OF the investigation up to date.