The herald., 1898-03-15
BRAZILIAN CRUISERS
TURNED OVER TO THEIR NEW
OWNERS
THE AMAzoMAs AND ABREUALL
BY This Time Fly the American Flag
and Are Manned by
Yankee Crews
associated Press specia. wlrs

Associated Press Specia. Wire
WASHINGTON, March 14.-The re-
ported sale to the United States of the
two Brazilian cruisers Amazonas and
Admiral Abreuall, now receiving their
finishing touches in an English yard,
was confirmed here this afternoon. 1t
Is learned also that Spain has not Sc
cured the O'F1iggins, and that Chile will
not sell her to Spain. 1t is said further
more that Spain cannot purchase ships
from either Chile or the Argentine Re-
public.
REPORT CONFIRMED
LONDON, March 14.-The Brazilian
Minister confirms the report that the
ships Amazonas and Admiral Abreuall
have been sold to the United States. The
contract is to be signed today and the
Brazilian officers and crew on board the
Amazonas will return to Brazil by the
next mail steamer sailing for that coun-
try. The Press Association says that
Spain has purchased the battleship
O'Higgins, built by the Armstrong; for
Chile, but the Chilean Charge DAT
faires does not confirm the report He
saws a Chilean crew for the vessel Is ex-
pected here next week to take the O'Hig-
gins to Chile.
OFFICIAL NOTICE
| NEW YORK, March 1.-THE Brazil
| ian minister's confirmation of the pur'
chase, by the United States, of the Bra
lillian warships was handed to Rear Ad-
miral Bunce. in his quarters in the
Brooklyn navy yard, today.
Admiral Bunce and his senior aide,
Captain Gilmore, read the cable dispatch
with evident satisfaction, and then SO
expressed themselves.
Just what arrangements will be made
for manning the vessels could not be def
nitely ascertained, but the general i'm
preston is that the navy department will
assign two captains, deck officers. two
navigators and a sufficient number of
engineers, together with seamen. fire.
men and coal passers, who will go over
to Europe and bring the vessels here.
Neither vessel will have anything like
full complement of men, however, until
1t reaches this side of the Atlantic.
Work on the Dolphin, which is lying at
the coal dock. is being rapidly pushed
along, while the workmen on the Chicago
and Atlanta are also very busy.
| Orders were received to day by the
officers in charge Of the United States
Marine Recruiting station to enlist 45O
men.
PROMPT POSSESSION
WASHINGTON, March 14.-Orders
have been sent to Commodore Howell,
commander of the European Station, to
send a force of men from the San Fran
cisco to take possession of and hoist the
United States flag on the Brazilian ship
that is ready to go into commission at
Newcastle. This will prevent any diff
ficulty in case hostilities should break
out, as the ship would be under the flag,
but lying in friendly harbor.
| JAPANESE WARSHIPS
NEW YORK, March 14.-A dispatch
| to the Herald from Toxic says:
The Herald correspondent visited Mar
Quis Ito today and asked him whether
| the Japanese government would sell
the two cruisers, Kasagi and Chitose, to
| the United States. The Premier hesi-
| tated a moment and then replied. 81
will make inquiries of my naval col
| leagues, but l think l may say that
Japan prefers to get possession of all
| the ships building for her as soon as
possible. officers have already been or
dered to bring the Kasagi and Chitose
| to Japan, and the builders have been
required to hasten their completion"
After a pause the Marquis continued,
slowly and impressively: 1.-THE news
of the last few days indicates critical
state of affairs elsewhere than on the
western continent and we consider 1t
only prudent to continue our prepara-
tions for the national defense which we
had the forethought to begin long time
ago. 1 hope the people of the United
| States will not take offense at Japans
unwillingness to part with these cruis-
| ers. l have always appreciated their
kindly feelings for Japan. The United
States is the nation above all Others
where public sentiment controls the ma
tional policy and for that reason I wish
to have the people there understand that
japan retains the Kasagi and Chitose
not from lack of willingness to oblige
| the United States, but because she needs
them herself"
'In case of war between the United
States and Spain, your Excellency,
asked the correspondent, will Japan al.
,ow the warships of both belligerents tc
take coal at Japanese ports or refuse
it to both?"
THAT opens long vista of probable
ities," replied the Marquis. Some au
thorties contend that coal and even pro
visions should be contraband of war
as both are necessary to maintain hos
tilities at sea. Whenever war is de-
clared between two or more powers
Japan, if neutral, will bear in mind IL
deciding the coal question the manne
in which her decision will affect all thu
belligerents and her own interests"
The Herald correspondent learns OF
unauestionable authority that Japan ii
a party to the negotiations now going OF
between England and Russia at st. Pet
ersbufg, and also that while no alli
ance exists between England and Japan
they have a definite understanding ant
are acting in harmony. A high diplo
matte official said: you may say posi-
lively that Japan will back up England
against Russia and if England main
tains a firm attitude all immediate dan