The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-11
WAR PREPARATIONS
STILL BEING MADE BY ARMY
AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS

Looking After the Purchase of Warships-
Lighthouse Tenders to be Armed-Look
Looking Into Army EEquipments-An
American Schooner SeiZed-SPain Buys
warships and Attempts to Make a Loan.
( Her Complaint against Captain Crown
inshield
Washington March SIN spite of nu-
merous conferences Of officials, Of the
con ntinuation of the preparations now
in progress on large scale to put the
country in a state of defense, and Of
the outburst of patriotic speeches in
congress, there was a feeling apparent
in the best informed circles that the
situation as to our relations with Spain
was today much more favorable than
it was yesterday. Perhaps the semi
official advices received through the
Associated Press from Madrid, ind!cat-
ing a peaceful purpose on the part OF
the Spanish government, contributed
in large measure to the feeling, or it
may have been that the growing
knowledge of the vast extent of our
own resources tended to the belief
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 thai Were
known to the president as to the ex-
listing state of affairs were laid unre-
serVedly before the cabinet members
and discussed.
NAVY DEPARTMENT AGENT GOES
TO EUROPE.
Perhaps one of the best evidences of
the confidence in a peaceful outcome
was the declaration that while Cap
tain BrOWnSOn was going abroad for
the government to learn what ships
of war are for sale and their condition,
he would not necessarily make any
purchases, as it was hoped and expect
ed that by the time that he arrived in
Europe the present cloud would have
rolled by. The officer left Washington
tonight 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 furnish
ed all the information in the possession
shipping in course of construction in
Europe and had a talk with Mr.. Lane,
who is said to have some OI these ships
for sale, though he does not at present
have the right in the case of the two
small Brazilian Sbattleships now build
ing at La Seinnle in France. AS to
these or indeed any Brazilian or Chill
IAN warships. 1T 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 Warships
unless the other also sells a ship. The
reason for this peculiar provision is to
be found in the alliance that lis reported
to have been entered into by these two
countries for mutual protection against
Argentina and other South American
nations.
LAW AS TO SALE OF WARSHIPS.
AS to the right to buy foreign war
ships all authorities agree that such
purchases may be made, even after
hostilties 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 sihipbuilding is
recognized as a legitimate one, which
may Zoe carried on at all times.
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
the way of preparation in both the
navy and war departments. The con-
ference at the navy department today
looked into the procurement Of suit
able store of ammunition, coal and sup
plies, touched upon the question of
drydocks and generally considered
number of other matters connected
with the operations of a WarShip. The
war department was not behind the
IN rr1a,. 11,;.A @f ovid
nance, 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 private nanufac-
turing concerns can 'be relief on to
comeitotheAaid ofthe department inarm-
ing and eQuippng a volunteer army,
should one be found necessary. Major
General Miles is looking after the per-
sonnel closely and today was trying to
perfect the organization of the two
new regiments of artillery which con-
gress has granted. Beyond the state
ment that the two senior lieutenant
colonels Of the existing artillery reg1-
ments will be made colonels of the two
new regiments, the names OF officers
are withheld.
NO REPORT FROM COURT OF IN
QUIRY.
Three weeks ago tonight the Maine
was blown up. las it was last week at
this time, so 1T 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 1T may be expected to finish its
work But the Importance of it's report
does not diminish i'm the slightest de-
gree by the lapse of time and in the
midst of diversions, caused by more re-
cent happenings, the more thoughtful
officials have not lost sight of the fact
that when the report of the court of in
quiry comes to the navy department In
the hands of some trusty naval officer,
probably Lieutenant Commander
Mark, himself the judge advocate OF
the court, the government may be face
to face with another and vital issue.
Senior du Bose called at the state de-
partment late in the day and had a
half hours conference with Judge Day.
He brought no dispatches and the talk