The Red Cloud chief., 1898-03-11
u. s. WILL BUY SHIPS.
PRESIDENT DECIDED TO
TAKE THE VESSELS.
eight Of Them In ali Thinks u Best to
Strengthen the Navy VIII Ask Con-
gress to Mako tho Necessary Appropri-
alton built for Brazil and Japan.

WAsuiSGroN, March SIT Is stated
on good authority that the President
has decided to purchase the men of.
wal which have been offered to this
government There is no intention OF
the administration - be caught nap.
ping. The United States has n very
efficient navy, but IL can be strength
cned To ADVANTAGE, and, with this
object in view. the President will buy
the two battle ships, one protected
cruiser, one torpedo gunboat and four
torpedo boat dcstroyers which have
been placed at the disposal OF the
United States. A formal agreement
the President shall receive assurances
that Congress will ratify his decision.
President Mckinley gave very care.
ful consideration to this matter. lie
conferred with several senators in re.
gard to the ~advisability OF securing
foreign built ships and they advised
him to make the purchase.
lie had II further conference with
Assistant Secretary Day and Score.
tary Long, and it is understood that
there was II very lengthy discussion
of the situation in its relation to the
army and navy. The President is adj.
verse to taking any action looking TO
She purchase of ships without express
authority from Congress, but II
was learned last night that he pro-
poses to continue his discussion
- .. - ~. - 49,.
mittcc of Congress and with leaders
of the Senate and House. Once as.
surcd of their support he will direct
Secretary Long to take the ships on
behalf of this government. II IS
appreciated by the authorities that in
case they should agree to accept the
ships they will have to pledge this
government to pay in the ncighbor.
hood Of $1,000. ODD for them.
II is further appreciated that an
agreement is not binding unless there
should be u transfer OF money. This
sum need not be large, but considera.
ton already has been given in some
quarters to tho appropriation from
which IL might come.
~ was ouseCNAcN lIllL IlH ITpGllcnI
might use u small portion OF the secret
fund placed Mt his disposal by Con.
gress and leave it to Congress to make
the necessary appropriation in the
regular naval estimate.
The vessels which tho president Is
considering are the two baltic ships
Marshal Deodoro and Marshal
EI,ri,nN l,i1li,y ~ r, II.,.~
France, for tho brazilian govern.
msnt, u cruiser under construction ut
Elswick for the Japanese government;
a torpedo boat OF 400 ions displace-
ment and four torpedo boat destroycrs
ander construction at T~horncroft.
Onc phase OF the matter which the
authorities have been considering is
France md Great Britain could allow
the deliveries of warships to the
United States, even If this government
had purchased them before tho out
break Of the war.
The terms under which the battle
ships. cruiser and torpedo gun boa,
have been offered to the United States
contemplate their delivery to this gov.
ernment armed, equipped and ready
for sea. The builders have gone sc
far as to say that II tho United States
desires they will place q navigating
crew aboard and deliver them in per
tect condition at New York.
Minister Wa Ting Fang of China
said last night that his government
wnnll not sell war shinS 4, ei,hpl
power.