The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-09
RAGE FOR NARSH|PS
Spain Has Beaten the United
States to Them.
PAYS FOR THEM SOMEHOW
American Naval Experts Get
ting Points In Europe.
PAYS FOR THEM SOMEHOW

purchase of warships. The st. James Ga
zette, which yesterday published the de-
malls of the Spanish embassy and Span
ish naval commission, which has an office
in London, says today:
at is ascertained on very high author
ity, in spite of denials, that the Spanish
government has almost certainly sue
ceeded in buying three nearly completed
| cruisers here, and two coast defense YES
| sells, which are about TO be launched in
| France. Experts are almost as much sur
prised at the success of Madrid in raising
money as by the clever diplomacy which
secured the Chilean and Brazilian cruis-
ers 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 American has
| come to the conclusion that it's naval ye-
| sources are strong enough to confront
| Spain, and is playing a waiting game.
| CHEAPER WAY THAN BUYING.
Continuing, the ST. James Gazette says:
Il
| 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 hy
Spain in the first instance, and make
valuable additions to the United States
navy later on.'''
The article quoted also points out that
the earliest time in which the Chilean
cruiser, which cost 100000, can be fin
ished is three months. and adding that the
other vessels purchased will take longer
10 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 re-
marks:
"a feature of the warship market 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 warships building, but the
others, twelve Japanese and two Chinese
cruisers and eight torpedo boat destroyers
for Japan, are so lIeenly and Immediately
desired by their respective governments
that no price would buy Them
1t is said that even if the Amazonas
should sail from here with a Brazilian
crew, she will turn up in Cuban waters
with Spanish crew. The affair, natu-
rally, has been kept as secret as possible.
ORDERS FOR AMMUNITION.
The Introduction in congress yesterday
of bill appropriating $50 900 for ma
tionaI defense has excited the utmost in
terest among English dealers in war mu-
nitions.
Hiram Maxim, of rapid-fre gun fame,
said significantly that 'if the United
States intended to make purchases in
England she should have begun a week
ago" He also admitted that he was
aware that Spain had placed large orders
within a week, but he declined to say
whether orders had ben placed with his
firm.
1t is known, however, that if the United
States needs S-lnch guns and powder she
could secure a full stock at a fortnight's
notice.
WATCHING TORPEDO TRIALS
Norwegian papers just received here re-
veal the fact that three United States
naval attaches. Lieutenant John c. Col
well, of the London embassy; Lieutenant
William Emmons, who is accredited to
st. Petersburg and Paris, and Lieutenant
Albert P. Niblack, who is attached to the
German embassy and also accredited to
Vienna and Rome, were present at the
Elswycks' submerged torpedo tube trials
in Norway on February %. Much import
ance is attached to the invention, with
which the Norwegian ship Harold Har-
farrgre is fitted. The trials were pro-
nounced most successful. Whitehead tor
pedoes were fired through the tubes at
3, u and Is knots speed with a remarka-
BILE accuracy.
Inquiry made here among fnanciers and
diplomats who are most likely to know
any facts in the case, reveals general
sCeptiCism in Connection with the reports
that a Spanish loan has been floated in
London. Spain. 1t is true, has made re-
peated attempts to raise money, as pre-
viously cabled, the most recent effort be- !
ing made only a fortnight ago, when the
Rothschilds and other fnanciers who were
approached emphaticauy and finally in
formed the Spanish agents that there was
no money 10 be had from them for
Spain.
Diplomats here say Spain has endeav- !
ored to raise a loan among her wealthy
citizens abroad, offering a lien on public
buildings as security. and it IS thought I
possible this may be the source Of the /
present disbursements.
4 factor which must be taken into con- /
siderauon in the purchase OF ships IS. it I
is said. that any government has the /
power TO take ships building for foreign /
governments for its own use at the last 1
moment. Great Britain upon several &C. /
casions has done this.
SPANS FOREIGN FLEET.
The Standard today publishes a long /
article comparing the navies Of the United I.
States and Spain. and says.
Some indications OF the extent 10 which /
Spain IS prepared is afforded by the meas
ures adopted 70 protect Havana harbor 4
against surprises. With the fotilla Of tor
pedo boats which join the Vizcaya and Al /
mirante OQuendo before the end OF March
the squadron composed Of Alfonso NH {
and the Maria Theresa with Two second /
class cruisers and torpedo boats VIII be 4
reinforced by the baJtleships Pelayo, /
Charles Y and Christopher Columbus ac-
oompanied by three destroyers and three /
torpedo boats The fleets thus brought /
together n the West Indies. the described /
as representing al the available naval 1
force for foreign service and i VIII be en-
tircly nobilized. Some Old iroa-clads |
No. -a.a--r-r- rs-.-s-s nil mil