New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-09
OUTLOOK MORE PEACEFUL.
Continued from First Page.

Paul tomorrow morning for Southampton. with
special letters to the American Ambassadors
and Ministers abroad. instructing them to place
every force at his disposal which might assist
the success Of his efforts as special naval agent
for the purchase Of ships and munitions Of war
Commander Brownson Is especially fitted for
the important responsibilities intrusted to him.
having been for the last year a member OF the
Inspection Board which tries all new ships and
determines their acceptability 70 the Govern
ment. Having made a special study Of the re
Quirements demanded by the United States
naval specifications. ne is expected To give the
best possible advice as 10 the character Of ships
building abroad which may be offered for sale
to this Government
Commander Brownson is best-known as the
officer who. during the recent civil war in
Brazil. fired the shot heard round the world"
In the harbor Of Rio de Janero the Detroit Of
which he was In command. was selected by Ad-
mral Benham 10 escort An American merchant
ship 10 the wharf after Admiral Mello had de-
tained all shipping for month or more under
pretence Of a blockade. The American squad
ron cleared for action. the Detroit steamed
up between the American ship and the feet OF
Brazilian armOr-clsds AS the merchant vessel
got under way. shot was fired across her bow
Brownson retorted with o shot from a small arm
straight into the Brazilian. whose flag promptly
came down. That shot ended the revolution and
made permanent the Republic Of Brazil.
BrownsJn is relied upon 10 secure accurate in
formation most expeditiOusy on his arrival in Eu-
rOps. The American naval attaches from London.
Paris. Berlin and Rome will meet him at South
ampton. as well as agents Of builders who have
already made propositions 70 the United States
In the week he is on the ocean preliminary neGo-
tiations will have proceeded to such an extent
that his first duty Will be to examine several
vessels which are already under consideration,
and upon his report will probably depend
whether or not they will be bought outright.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY.
Many more difficulties exist than the pub
lie Is aware Of In the requirement Of such
property as Warships Most OF the craft under
construction are being built under special or
ders for various Governments. and only few.
and those perhaps not Of the most desirable
type. in the builders hands in such shape
that they be at disposed of. In the
case of some Of the European Powers under
strong monarchical form Of government II Is
possible for permission 70 be given at once for
the sale OF a ship 10 another nation. but In the
case NJ more complex forms OF government. such
a. those in the South American republics which
HI We ordered ships now under construction In
lrope. it is feared that grave constitutional
aid legal objections exist 20 the transfer OF the
rights Of those countries in their ships TO the
United States compelling recourse to the legis-
lative branches Of their governments for au-
thorization This will tme-consuming proc
ess that could be scarcely entertained in the
present case.
IMPORTANT CONFERENCES HELD.
Previous 10 to-days Cabinet meeting impor-
tant conferences regarding National defence
were held in the War and Navy departments.
their object being TO determine the exact meas
ures which were most imperatively demanded to
provide the greatest measure Of security IN inc
briefest space Of time. In Secretary Ayers or
flee were gathered Major General Miles ana the
chiefs Of all Army bureaus. together with Sena-
tor sevyeu who Is a member OF both the Appro-
nriations and Military committees. and actively
identified with the Army increases generally
At this conference the bureau chiefs told what
portion Of the S5OOO0O1 was needed for i'm
mediate uses in their departments their esu-
mates aggreglting about S2O.povS. In Score
tary Longs office at the same moment We're as
sembled the Secretary and Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt. Admiral Matthews. Chief Constructor
HiclbOTU. J
NJ Intelligence Glover Commodore Crowninshied
and Commander Brownson. In addition 20 the
purchase Of foreign ships. which would proha-
bly, call for a large but indefinite amount, de-
pending upon a number Of things, chief among
which was the success Of Spain In increasing
her naval strength. at least 100000 ought TO
be used as rapidly possible for ammunition
coal. supplies. guns docks, torpedo boats and
for ybic oh
begging for years
DECISION OF THE CABINET
The result Of these deliberations and the sug-
restions which were adopted at them were sub
sequently reported by Secretaries Alger and
Long 70 the Cabinet meeting and considered at
a session lasting two and half hours. The dis
cussion resulted In an understanding that the
amount appropriated by Congress Is TO be ex-
pended by Secretary Long for the Navy and
Secretary Alger for the Army. being divided be-
tween them in the proportion which the Presi-
dent considers best.
Il was not decided how much ~ the money
should be Immediately spent. OF how far the OK
penditure would be affected by future events
However. no matter what happens, the President
will authorize the early expenditure OF the great
er part u the money In preparation for any
emergency. He believes the country Will upH"iu
the Administration in doing this. II Is probable
that nearly all Of It will be spent eventually
within the time limit set by Congress.
ARMY OFFICERS ACTIVE.
A number Of important developments came out
Of the conference in the War Department. show
ing that in spite of the parsimony in military
matters practised by Congress, the officers OF
the Army have gone ahead and made provisional
preparations 10 a remarkable extent For eN-
ample the Commissary Department was able
10 report that II an order came to-day 10 mass
FIVE hundred thousand men at Atlanta the pro
visions 10 feed them would be there before the
- III. C.c,rr,iesarv D.narfnent has had all