Omaha daily bee., 1898-03-09
SPANS RUMORED PURCHASES
Conf citing Stories About thu Dms Buying
War Ships.
VERY HARD WORK TO GET At THE TRUTH
Alleged Facts Are stated I'm One Quar-
ter Only to lie Denied Inc An-
Other-Qucen Victoria Poses
ms Mediator.

Copyright, 1898, by Press Publishing Company
LONDON, March S-(New York World
Cablegram-Special Telegram.) THE story
Of the reported purchase by Spanish agents
of two Brazilian and one Chilian cruiser
was again prevalent today inquired at
the Spanish naval commissions offices in
London, where l was solemnly assured that
there was not word of truth in the state
ment. A denial in that quarter was to be
expected, however, as secrecy is essential
to the fufllment OF the object that Spain
has in view. l saw later in the House Of
Commons lobby the head of one of the larg-
est and best-known ship-building firms on
the Clyde, who said:
Il know positively that Spain is hunting
not only for cruisers but for eight fast
steamships which are to be converted into
armored cruisers and fitted with quick-firn
guns. She has been on the lookout for some
weeks, but the difficulty was Of course,
the money. No British shipbuilder would
permit her to remove any craft without pre-
payment in full. l have also just heard that
her contemplated purchases, which have
been hanging fire for financial reasons, are
about completed. as the Spanish government
has made arrangements for a loan through
Foulds bank of Paris with French syndi-
cate. Sentiment as well as self-interest
prompts France to assist Spain against the
United States and France is the only Euro
pean country where Spain stands the slight
est chance Of obtaining help"
HARD NUT TO CRACK.
The member Of Parliament who made this
statement asked that his name should not
be given, his firm having dealings with the
Spanish government. He added: II con-
slider that the United States will find Spain
a hard nut to crack. 1 have had large ex-
perence with Spanish sailors and regard
them as first rate seamen. They are hardy.
courageous and extremely clever navigators,
but they are badly oficered. Their country
Is destitute Of resources, while the resources
Of the United States are practically limit
less. Your country is bound to win in the
| long run, but it will be no rosewater affair
| for your navy"
| This opinion is in startling contrast to that
expressed on the same subject by William
| Allan, NJ. P, of Gateshead, also shipbuilder
| and practical sailor, to your correspondent
| last week.
Another report current in the lobby was
that the United States government had
| offered 100000 for Captain McCalmonts S
| famous steam yacht Giralda. 1t steams
| twenty knots has a displacement of 1,4S0
| tons and is fitted under the requirements Of
| the British navy for in time Of war as
| an unarmored cruiser 1t has ten machine
guns. The Girada Is at present at Algiers
| and 1t is stated that the offer Of the United
| States government is conditional on its being
| handed over at Gibraltar within five days.
| 1t Is obviously wanted as a dispatch boat, IL
at all.
| Another report was that Spain has pur
chased cruiser from the Barrow Shipbuild-
| ing company and the correspondent there
investigated the matter. The following re-
ply has been received: "The manager of the
Barrow Shptuilding company told me- We
are building only for the British government
and have no war ships available for sale to
Spain, nor have we had any inquiries from
| Spain lately
! l hear that the queen this week expressed
the wish that the United States ambassador
should dine at Windsor and was much dis
| appointed on learning that he was abroad
| Undoubtedly the queens object was to learn
| the real facts concerning the relations be-
! tween the United States and Spain and to
| use her good offices to avert hostilitles. Vic
| toria must have been advised that war was
imminent before contemplating such a step
and as a matter Of fact the conviction in off,
cal quarters here is that war cannot be pre-
vented except by the concession of the in
dependence OF Cuba which Spain will never
grant except under the pressure Of force.