The San Francisco call., 1898-04-05
The President Directs the Purchase of Ten Mer-
 chant Vessels.
Steamers That Will Be Trans formed Into Cruisers With
 out Delay.
Smaller Boats Will Also Be Fitted Gu and Commissioned as Torpedo
 Boat Destroyers.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


 NEW YORK, April IA Washing ton special to the Herald says: That the President believes that war will likely follow the transmission of his message to Congress Is shown by his action to- day in directing the purchase of ten merchant vessels of from 2000 to 5000 tons burden for conversion into auxil- iary vessels. On account of the im- mense cost of such ships the Navy De- partment has heretofore refrained from buying them, believing that diplomacy might open the way for the settlement of the Cuban question with honor to both countries and without war. In fact, 1t has been admitted by depart ment officials that only when the ad- ministration felt that war was bound to come would the President consent to the expenditure of such large sum of money as would be necessary in the ac- uuisition and transformation of mer- chant vessels into auxiliary cruisers. The fact, therefore, that the President directed Assistant Secretary Roosevelt to instruct the Rodgers board in New York to- enter into negotiations for the purchase of vessels for transformation into auxiliary cruisers is considered most significant. In reality, this is the auxiliary fleet. The yachts and tugs that have been bought have been con- verted into torpedo-boat destroyers and picket boats. but such vessels as the President directed to be purchased can only be employed as members of the first line of defense and offensive and in defensive operations against the nf comprising squadronS at Key West and Hampton Roads. In compliance with instructions sent by Roosevelt 1t is eX- pected by the officials that the board went to work to-day to inspect eigh- teen vessels that the department had selected for purchase in case the PreSi- dent should authorize such action. This list does not include the St. Paul and St. Louis, but from present indications the authorities will authorize their pur- chase within the next few days. No decision has been reached, but it was said to-day that the question of their purchase would be finally determined tomorrow in order that there might be time in which to give orders to hold the St. Paul, and to transfer her cargo to some other vessel of the American line.
 These ships would cost about s4,000,- 900, which the President does not at present feel inclined to pay in the event that other vessels which will be pur- chased may meet the navys needs in this respect. The vessels to be pur- chased will be from this list: Fl Sol Fl Paso Fl Monte Fl Mar, Fl Dorado Fl Norte Yorktown, Jamestown, H. F. Dimock, John English, Yumuri Aca- pulco and Princess Ann. Some of the vessels plying in and out of Boston har- bor are looked upon with f vor by the board, and several of these may be purchased. It is admitted by officials that the cost of these ten vessels will be large, amounting to five or six mill lion dollars, but the national defense fund Is not exhausted, and will be able to stand the inroau which vii be made by the purchase of these ships.
 Anticipating the purchase of these ships. Captain Charles O'Neill. chief of the Bureau of Ordnance. is preparing batteries to be placed aboard of them, and Chief Naval Constructor Hichborn Is considering poi ts to which the yes sels may be sent in order that the work of transforming them may be eX- pedited as quickly as possible. It is the expectation of officials that by work ing night and day they will be able to place the shlps in commission within three weeks. Crews will be collected for these vessels, and they will be at tached to the flying squadron and Cap tain w T. Sampson's fleet without de- lay. Orders were telegraphed to-day to convert into auxiliary men-of-war without delay the yachts and tugs pur- chased on Saturday last. The list in cludes the yacht Josephine, which will be converted at League Island; the yacht Sovereign. which is at the New York navy-yard; the steam lighters Saturna and Irrawaddy, which will be converted into transports at the New York navy-yard; the lighter Lebanon, which is at Boston, and the R. W. Will mot which is at the Pensacola navy yard. The Creole will be sent to New port iSews, where she will be trans formed into a hospital ship. The only vessel whose name has been changed is the Josephine, which has been officially christened the Vixen, in commemora- tion of the famous American sloop of the war of 1872