The herald., 1898-03-05
SPAIN BUYING SHIPS
BUILDING I'M ENGLAND FOR
OTHER NATIONS
FUNDS FURNISHED BY FRANCE
Several American Vessels Now Out Of
Commission Are Rapidly Being
Fitted for Service
Associated Press Special wire

Associated Press Special wire
LONDON, March 4.-spain has pur-
chased two cruisers which the Arm
strongs have been building for Brazil, the
Amazonius and sister ship, unnamed, of
1000 tons each. % knots and 10 guns
Spain is also negotiating for and will
probably secure two cruisers Of SINH
lar type which have been building in
France for Brazil
The Amizonlus is ready for launching
and her sister ship Will soon be ready.
The Spanish government is also endea-
voring to secure guns and large sup
plies Of munitions In England and on the
Continent for immediate use.
The government of Spain seems to
have funds, for 1t understood to be pay
ing a large part of the purchase money
In cash, giving good security for the bal
ance, these being the only terms Upon
which the Armstrong; would deal.
Some weeks ago Spain attempted to
purchase ships and supplies from Eng
land on credit from prominent firms hav-
ing close relations with the government,
but, after inquiries, the firms refused
to give credit. Since then Spain has
raised funds from unknown sources.
Diplomats in London express the be-
lief that French financiers are helping
the Spanish government.
1t is known that Spain Is trying to pur-
chase three other ships, which will be
rebuilt by the Armstrong;, but she has
not vet succeeded in making a bargain,
consequently there is still time, II the
United States wishes to forestall her.
The United States could forestall
Spain in the purchase of other ships
building in English and Continental dock
yards. While Chile denies that any of
the ships ordered for that country are
for sale, 1t is believed by naval construct
ors that Chile's best cruiser, the O'Hig-
gins, which is just finished, could be pur-
chased.
SOME OTHER SHIPS
NEW YORK, March 4.--Considerable
hurry characterizes the work in the navy
yard Of getting the dispatch boat DOL
phin into normal condition. She has
been thoroughly overhauled and will be
as spick and span as brand new boat
by March Is. One hundred and fifty men
are at work on her, and on March "a
Commander Lyons will hoist his flag and
the Dolphin will be once more in COM
mission. She has been refitted with new
engines, boilers, deck and spars.
Admiral Bunce says that the old guns
will be placed in the Dolphin. Formerly
the Dolphin was painted white from
deck to keel, but now she carries a band
OF dark green, which extends from the
keel to point two feet above the water
line.
Sledge hammer blows deafen the ears
Of those who stand near the cruiser Chi
cago, which is being rented in the navy
yard. Her guns and upper deck work
have all been removed. A nickel steel
deck has been built In her two feet below
the water line, and she has been fitted
with new engines, boilers and machinery
She will have new decks, with an arma-
ment Of rapid fire guns, but will not &c
into commission until August. Similar
work Is going on where the cruiser At
lanta is docked She will have new
boilers and engines and be fitted with
new decks and rigging. and the resist
ing power Of her turrets will be in
creased by the addition Of new plates.
She will carry fourteen 5-inch rapid fire
guns in addition to her usual armament,
when she goes into commission next
September.
POWDER PROVIDED
WASHINGTON, March 4.--The Navy
department is making preparations ia
replenish the supply Of ammunition of
the United States warships on the Asiatic
station. To this end orders have been
sent to the training ship Mohican, now at
Mare Island, to carry the ammunition.
The ship was just about to leave for q
long cruise with naval apprentices, going
as far as the Samoan Islands. Her first
stop was to have been at Honolulu, and
the department has seized the opportu-
nifty to utilize her as powder ship with
out interfering with the itinerary already
arranged for her cruise. She will carry
thirty tons Of ammunition for the China
fleet and will start almost Immediately
It is said at the department that this is
only part Of the regular supply of am
munition forwarded to the United States
naval stations abroad when opportunity
serves.
Every warship, under the regulations
has certain allotment of ammunition
She Is expected to have target practice
at least once every quarter, yet the regu-
lations provide that the supply Of powder
must never be allowed to drop below q
certain specified quantity, sufficient to
meet any emergency. On the Asiatic
station, from the expenditure of an undue
proportion Of ammunition in target prac-
tice, or through the failure of the depart
ment to keep up the supplies, some of the
ships are obliged to forego further target
practice until fresh instalments of pow
der are received. The department has
gathered hundred tons of ammunition
at Mare Island for the Asiatic fleet, and
this stock has been lying there for sever
al months on account OF the inability OF
the Ordnance Bureau to forward it,
The merchant marine engaged In reeu.
lar passenger traffic either refuse abso.
lutely to carry such dangerous cargo
or ask excessively high freight rates in
order to- protect themselves against loss
Of insurance.
ON WAITING ORDERS.
BETHLEHEM. Pa, March 4.-rhs
army ana navy officers now representine
the United States government at the
Bethlehem Iron Company's works have
received orders from headquarters to be
ready on twelve hours' notice for service
Work on the government contracts al
the works ID being pushed as rapidly al
possible.