The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-09
BROWNSON'S MISSION
HE WILL GO ABROAD PERHAPS
TO BUY WARSHIPS.
ACTIVE PREPARATIONS NOW GOING ON
The importance of the Report of The Board
Of Inquiry Does Not Diminish, and
May Bring About Another
Vital Issue.

Vital Issue.
Washington, ID. c., March SIN spite
Of numerous conferences of officials,
of the continuation of the preparations
the country i'll a state of defense, and
of the OutburSt of patriotic speeches in
Congress, there was u feeling apparent
in the best informed circles that the sit
uatOn as to our relations with Spain
was today much more favorable than it
was yesterday. Perhaps thc semi-official
advices received through the ASso-
ciated Press from Madrid, indicating
n 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 bclief that they would
Impress others with the futility of at
tacking tho United States. However,
that may be, the feeling prevailed, and
at the White House, too, after the Cabi-
net meeting wherein all of the facts
that were known to the President as to
existing state of affairs werc laid unre-
Servcdly before the Cabinet membersI
and discussed. Perhaps one of the best
evidences of the confidence in Il peace-
ful outcome was the declaration that
while Captain Brownson was going
abroad for the government to learn what
ships Of war are for sale, and their con
dition, nc would not necessarily make
any purchases, as it was hoped and cx~
pcctcd that by the time he arrived inI
Europe the present cloud would have
rolled by. The offirer left Washington
tonight, and VIII take the st. Paul toI
Southampton, sailing from New York,
He VIII report his arrival Immediately
at the United States Embassy in Lon
don. hut further than that the captain
declines to Indicate the places he will
visit in Europe. He has been furnished
all of the information in the possession
of the Navy Department respecting the
shipping in course of construction IN
Europe. and had q talk with Mr.. Lane,
who is said to have some Of these ships
for sale, though he does not ut present
have the right in the case of the twol
small Brazilian battle ships now build
ing at La Seinne, in France. As tOI
these, or indeed amy Brazilian or Chilian
war ships, it has been discovered that
Brazil and Chilli are parties to a treaty
by the terms of which neither country
can sell any Of it's war ships unless the
other also sGlls 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 countries
for mutual protection against Argen-
tina and other South American nations.
ALLOWABLE TO BUY SHIPS.
AS to the right to buy foreign war
ships. all authorities agree that such
purchases may be made, even after hos
tilities have begun, if the neutral nation
exercises strict impartialty betweenI
the belligerents. and the ships are not
armed and Outfitted ready for service.
The trade of ship building is recognized
as % legitimate one, which may be car
| ricd on at all times.
A good deal is being accomplished in
the way of preparation in both the
Navy and War Departments. The con-
ference at the Navy Department to-day
looked into the procurement of n suitable
store for ammunition, coal and supplies
touched upon the question of dry docks,
and generally considered n number Of
other matters connected with the opera
ton of war ship. The War Depart
ment was not behind the Navy. General
Flagler, Chief of Ordnance, is very busy
reaching out in every direction by means
of telegraph and the mail to learn just
how far the resources of the big pri-
vate manufacturing concerns can he re-
| lied on to come to the aid of the de-
| partment i'm arming and equipping n
volunteer army. should one be found
necessary. Major General Miles is
looking after the personnel closely and
to-day was trying to perfect the organi-
cation of the two new regiments of ar
tillcry which Congress has granted. Be
yOnd the statement that the two senior
Lieutenant Golonels of the existing ar
tillery regiments will be made ColOnels
Of the two new regiments, the names of
the officers are withheld.
Three weeks ago tonight the Maine
was blown UP. AS it was last week
at this time, so it is now; nothing is
known officially as to the cause of the
| disaster. The court is at work hard
that is all that is known at the Navy
| Department. 1t is not even known when
| it may be expected TO finish its work. But
| the Importance of its report does not
diminish in the slightest degree by the
lapse of time and in the midst of diver.
siOns caused by more recent happenings
| the more thoughtful officials have not
lost sight of the fact that when the
| report of the Court of Inquiry comes
| to the Navy Department. in the hands
of some trusty Naval officer, probably
Lieutenant Mark, himself, the Judge