The Red Cloud chief., 1898-03-18
WARSHiPS BOUGHT.
Uncle SANS Cash Gets Them From Brazii
The Contract is signed.

The Contract Is signed.
LoNpoy, March H.. Tho Brazilian
| minister confirms the report that the
war ships Amazonas and Admiral Breu
have been sold to the United States
government The contract is to bc
signed to-day and the brazilian officers
and crew now on board the Amazunas
will return to Brazil by the next mail
steamer sailing for that country.
The Press association says Spain has
purchased the battlcship O'Higgins.
built b. the Armstrong; for Chilli.
The CHILEAN charge d'affaires does not
confirm the report. lie saws a Gillian
crew for the vessel is expected here
next week TO take the O'Iliggins to
Chilli.
WASHINGTON. March 1.-THE re.
ported sale TO the United States OF the
two brazilian cruisers Amazonas and
Admiral Brcu, now receiving their
finishing touches in an English ship
yard, was confirmed here this after.
noon.
A problem that confronts the re.
cruiting Office is TO secure the ncccs-
sary force Of enlisted men for man
ming the two ships purchased from
Brazil. The officers of the navigation
bureau are making all arrange
ments for the speodiest possible
delivery of the ships on this side
Of the Atlantic. 1t probably will
require about $50 men for each ship,
and the question is whether these
men shall bc hired abroad in England
under special arrangements for the
one trip or whether II regular crew
shall be sent out from the United
States to bring them home. The first
method is undoubtedly the quicker,
but it will not be available in Ease
there should be an open rupture be-
fore the completion OF the two ships.
NEW NorK. March -. "A dispatch
to the New York Herald from Toxic
says: 'Thc Herald correspondent
visited Marquis Ito yesterday and
asked him whether the Japanese gov
eminent would sell the cruisers
kasagi and thitose to the United
states. Tho premier hcsitatcd q
momcn and replied: II will make in
Guiry of my naval colleague, but !
think | may say that Japan prefers to
get possession Of all the ships build
INK for her as soon as possible. OH.
GERS have already been ordered to
bring the Kasagi and Chitose to Japan.
and the builder, have been requested
to hasten their completion
"After n pause the marquis contin-
ucd, slowly and imprcssivcly, The
news of the last few days indicates a
certain critical state of affairs else
where than on the Western continent,
and ", consider it only prudent to
continue our preparations for the ma
tional defense, which we had the fore
hope the people OF the United States
will not take o%frense at .Iapan's un.
willingness to part with these cruisers
] have always appreciated their kindly
feelings for Japan. The United States
is the nation above all others where
public sentiment absolutely controls
the national policy, For that reason
wish TO havo the people there under
stand that japan retains the Kasapi
huu 'hitONc, NOT from u lack OF Will
ingness to oblige tho United States,
but because she needs them herself
"'In case Of war between the United
States and Spain, your c~xccllency,'
the correspondent asked, will Japan
allow the warships OF both bclliger.
cnts to take coal ut japanese ports, or
refuse il to both?'
THAT opens a long vista OF posi-
bilit:.s, no replied some authori-
ties contend that coal. and even pro.
visions, should DO c~ontraband OF war,
rs both are necessary TO maintain hos
t~ilities nt sea. Whenever war is de.
clared between two or more powers,
Japan, il neutral, will bear / n mind in
deciding tho coal question the manner
In which her decision will affect all
the bclligcrents and her own inter
cstS'"