Kansas City journal., 1898-03-09
HAS BOUGHT THREE CRUISERS AND
TWO DEFENSE VESSELS.
DID SHE GET THE CASH
TRIED TO RAISE 1T IN LONDON RE-
GENTLY, BUT FAILED.
Spain Said to Have Placed Large Or
ders for Ordnance Within
week-United States Can
Get Plenty of Guns
In Great Britain.

pers to-day confirm the news of Spain's
purchase of warships. The st. James Ga
zette, which yesterday published the de-
malls of the Spanish embassy and Spanish
naval commission, which has an office In
London, says to-day:
1T is ascertained on very high author
ity, in spite of denials, that the Spanish
government has almost certainly succeed
ed in buying three nearly completed cruis-
ers here, and two coast defense vessels.
which are about to be launched in France,
Experts are almost as much surprised at
the success of Madrid in raising money
as by the clever diplomacy which secured
the Chilean and Brazilian cruisers of the
Armstrong; at a cost believed to be a
million pounds sterling, almost before the
move was suspected
The article goes on to say that much
competition between Spain and the United
States for these various ships construct
ing was expected, but America has come
to the conclusion that its naval resources
are strong enough to confront Spain, and
is playing a waiting game
Continuing, the St. James Gazette says:
''An American naval authority now in this
country takes a cynical view of the six
torpedo boats building for Spain here, and
of the three already delivered, which
might just as well be paid for by Spain in
the first instance and make valuable ad-
ditions to the United States navy later
on"
The article quoted also points out that
the earliest time in which the Chilean
cruiser. which cost s2.0oO.OOO. can be fin
ished is three months, and adding that the
other vessels purchased will take longer
to finish, SO that, in the event of war,
which will come soon If at ALL the ships
will be useless. as International law will
prevent their delivery.
In conclusion, the St. James Gazette
remarks: "A feature of the warship mar
ket at present is the small number of
vessels available. Three cruisers and two
coast defense vessels is the best Great
Britain and France can do. 1t is true
these are not the only iwarships building
but the others. twelve japanese and two
Chinese cruisers, and eight torpedo boat
destroyers for Japan. are SO keenly and
Immediately desired by their respective
governments that no price would buy
them.''
factor which must be taken into con-
sideration in the purchase of ships Is it
! Is said, that any government has the power
to take ships building for foreign govern
ments for its own use at the last moment
Great Britain. upon several occasions, has
done this.
The Standard to-day publishes long ar
| ticle comparing the navies of the United
States and of Spain, and says: "Some in
dication OF the extent Spain is prepared is
anorded by the measures adopted to pro-
| tect Havana harbor against surprises With
the 1otilla of torpedo boats which joins
the Vizcaya and Alrnirante Oquendo there
| before the end OF March, the squadron,
composed of the Alfonso XIII. and the
Maria Theresa, with two second class
cruisers and torpedo boats, will be REIN
forced by the battleships Pelayo. Charles
V. and Christopher Columbus. accompa-
MED by three destroyers and three torpedo
boats.
THE fleets thus brought together In the
West Indies are described as representing
| all the available naval force for foreign
| service, and 1t will be entirely mobilized.
Some of the old ironclads which were re-
| Gently refitted will be utilized in guarding
| the coasts of the peninsula
Tho introduction in congress yesterday
of bill appropriating fifty millions for
national defense has excited the utmost
| interest among English dealers in war mu-
| nitions. Hiram Maxim, of rapid-fire fame,
said significantly that If the United States
intended to make purchases in England
she should have begun a week ago. He also
had placed large orders within a week. but
he declined to say whether orders had been
placed with his firm.
| 1t is known, however, that II the United
States needs eight-inch guns and powder
| she could secure a full stock at fort
| nights notice.
Norwegian papers Just received here re-
veal the fact that three United States naval
attaches. Lieutenant John c. Colwell, of
the London embassy: Lieutenant William
Emmons: who is accredited to St. Peters
| burg and Paris. and Lieutenant Albert p.
| Niback, who is attached to the German
embassy. and also accredited to Vienna
and Rome, were present at the ElSewckS
| submerged torpedo tube trials in Norway
| on February 23 Much Importance is at
tached to this invention, with which the
| Norwegian ship Harold Haarfargre Is
fitted. The trials were pronounced most
successful. Whitehead torpedoes were fired
from the tubes at nine, twelve and fifteen
knots speed with remarkable accuracy.
| Inquiry made here among fnanciers and
| diplo mats who are most likely to know
| any facts in the case reveals general scepti-
| cisn, in connection with the report that q
| Spanish loan has been floated in London
Spain. 1t is true. has made repeated at
tempts to raise money. as previously cabled
| the most recent effort being made only a
fortnight ago. when the Rothschilds and
| other ffnanciers who were approached en-
phatically and finally informed the Spanish
| agents that there was no money to be haG
from them for Spain.
| Diplomats here say Spain has endeavored
| to raise a loan among her wealthy citizens
| abroad. offering lien on public buildings
| as security, and it is thought possible this
may be the source of the present disburse.
ments.
Sir George William Des Vouex formerly
| governor of the Bahama islands. and more
| recently governor of Hong Kong. in an in.
terview to-day on the far Eastern crisis
said Great Britain ought Immediately tc
| seize the opportunity of expressing cordial
| sympathy with the United States in her eff.
| forts to secure autonomy for Cuba.
| The time, he said was opportune to ex.
press the determination of Great Britain
to aid the United States with her fieei
against any attack upon her coast. This
Sir George added. would prevent war with
Spain and would make general the Ameri
| can sympathy with Great Britain. which
| was now only partial. This, he concluded
| would be enormously to the advantage o1
| both nations. while also assisting in the
solution of the Chinese question. He re-
| marked. In conclusion, that such an oppor
| tunity Of 'annealing the two English
speaking nations may never recur."
| STRENGTHENING THE NAVY.
Aiming of Lighthouse Tenders and
Revenue Cutters In Under
| CONFEDERATION.