Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-03-12
BROWNSON'S ERRAND.
Is Sent to Europe to Inspect War
ships for Sale.
One of Our Naval onloers Is Entrusted
with an Important Mission by secre-
tnry Long-Our Governments
May Buy Japanese Cruis-
ers In Course of Con-
structIon Here.

Washington, March 9.-In spite of
numerous conferences of officials, of
the continuation of preparations on
large scale to put the country in state
of defense, and of the outburst of patri-
otic speeches in congress, there was
certain feeling apparent in the best in
formed circles that the situation as to
our relations with Spain was much
more favorable yesterday than it was
on Monday. Perhaps the semi-official
advices received through the press from
Madrid, indicating a peaceful purpose
on the part of the Spanish government,
contributed in large measure to that
feeling, or it may have been that the
growing knowledge of the vast extent
of our own resources tended to the be.
lief that they would impress others
with the futility of attacking the
United States.
However that may be, the feeling
prevailed and at the White House, too,
after the cabinet meeting, wherein all
of the facts that were known to the
president as to the existing state of
affairs were laid before the cabinet
members and freely discussed. While
Capt. Brownson is going abroad for
the government to learn what ships of
war are for sale and their condition,
he will not necessarily make any pur-
chases. The officer left Washington
last night and will take the st. Paul to
Southampton, sailing from New York.
He will report his arrival Immediately
at the United States embassy in Lon
don, but further than that the captain
declines to indicate the places he will
visit in Europe.
He has been furnished all the in
formation in the possession of the
navy department respecting the ship
ping in course of construction in Eu-
rope and had talk with Mr.. Lane,
who is said to have some of these ships
for sale, though he does not at present
have the right in the case of the two
small Brazilian battleships now being
built at La Seinne, France. AS to
these, or indeed any Brazilian or
Chilean warships, it has been discov-
cred that Brazil and Chile are parties
to treaty by which neither country
can sell any of its warships unless the
other also sells ship. The reason for
this peculiar provision is to be found
in the alliance that is reported to have
been entered into by these two coun-
| tries for mutual protection against
Argentine and other South American
nations.
AS to the right to buy foreign war
ships, all authorities agree that such
| purchases may be made, even after
hostilities have begun, if the neutral
| nation exercises strict impartiality be-
| tween the belligerents and the ships
are not armed and outfitted ready for
service. The trade of shipbuilding is
recognized as legitimate one, which
| may be carried on at all times.
Commander Brownson is also charged
| with investigating the practica bility
of the purchase from foreign manu-
| facturers of ordnance material in case
our own supply should prove made,
| quate.
Negotiations are in progress toward
having the United States acquire the
| two cruisers now building in this
country for Japan, one at the CramI
shipyards at Philadelphia, and the
other at the Union iron works, in Sar
| Francisco.
| These cruisers are within three
months of completion on an emergency
basis They are designed to make .:
knots, which ranks them among the
| swiftest cruisers in the world. Theil
| armament is according to Japanes,
naval standards, which proved so eff
fective in her recent war with China
A good deal is being accomplished il
the way of preparation in both thu
navy and war departments. The con
ference at the navy department yes
terday looked into the procurement o
suitable store of ammunition, Goa
and supplies, touched upon the ques
tion of dry docks and considered
number of other matters connecte,
with the operation of warship.
The war department was not benin,
the navy. Gen. Flagler, chief of ord
nance, is reaching out in every direc
tion to learn just how far the resource
of the big private manufacturing con
Germs can be relied on to aid the wa
department in arming and equipping
volunteer army, should one be foun,
necessary. Gen. Miles is trying har,
to perfect the organization of the tw
new regiments of artillery which con
gress has granted.
Three weeks ago last night tn
Maine was blown up. AS it was las
week at this time, so it is now; nothinj
is known officially as to the cause o
the disaster. The court is hard a
work; that is all that is known at tn
navy department. 1t is not even know
when it may be expected to finish it
work. But the Importance of its re
/ At ~ oh, ~, ha trrI,k toe
degree by the lapse of time, and in tn
midst of diversions caused by more re
cent happenings, the officials have nc
lost sight of the fact that when the re
port of the court of inquiry comes
the navy department the government
may be face to face with another vita
| issue,
The president has signed the Hawle
bill providing for two additional reg
ments of artillery to man the coas