The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-09
SPAIN BUYING WAR SHIPS.
The DOns Have Money and Are Using
It-Our Agents AbrOnd.

LONDON, March 8.--There is no longer
effort to conceal the fact that Spain has
money and is buying war ships or making
bids for them. OF course, the Spaniards
don't say so, but other evidence has come
to light 20 show what Spain is really doing
The st. James's Gazette, which yesterday
published the denials of the Spanish en-
bassy and Spanish naval commission which
has an Office in London, says to-day: ut
is Gscertained on very high authority, in
spite of denials, that the Spanish govern
ment has almost succeeded in buying three
nearly completed cruisers here and two
coast defense vessels, which are about to be
launched in France. Experts are almost
as much surprised ut the success of Madrid
in raising money as by the clever diplomacy
which secured the Chilean and Brazilian
cruisers of the Armstrong;, almost believed
to be a million pounds sterling, almost be-
fore the move was suspected" The article
goes on to say that much competition be-
tween Spain and the United States for these
various ships constructing was expected,
'sbut America has come to the conclusion
that it's naval resources are strong enough
to confront SpainA and is playing waiting
game"
Continuing, the st. James's Gazette says:
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 by Spain in the first
instance and make valuable additions to the
United States navy later en-. The article
quoted also points out that the earliest
time in which the Chilean cruiser. which
cost $2.000000, can be finished is three
months, and adding that the other vessels
purchased will take longer to finish so that
in the event Of war, which will come soon
if at ALL" the ships will be useless, as in
ternational law will prevent their delivery.
In conclusion the St. James's Gazette re-
marks: "A feature of the war ship market
at present is the small number of vessels
available. Three cruisers and two coast de-
Tense vessels is the best Great Britain and
France can DO 1t Is true these are not
the only war ships building. but the others
twelve Japanese and two Chinese cruisers
and eight torpedo boat destroyerS for Japan
ARE so keenly and immeditely desired by
their respective governments that no price
would buy them" 1t is said that even If
the Mazonas should sail from here with
Brazilian crew, she will turn up in Cuban
waters with a Spanish crew. The affair
naturally has been kept a secret as far as
The introduction in the United States
Congress yesterday of bill appropriating
$50 ,OOO.0c0 for national defense has excited
the uthoSl INTEREST aillOIE .E@iisilSh uedleL >
in war munitions. Hiram Maxim, of rapid
fire gun fame, said, significantly. that If
the United States intended to make pur-
chases in England she should have begun a
week ago" He also admitted that he was
aware that Spain had placed large orders
within week, but he declined to say
whether or not orders had been placed with
his firm. 1t is known however, that if the
United States needs eight-inch guns and
powder she could secure a full stock at a
fortnights notice.
Norwegian papers just received here re-
veal the fact that three United States ma
val attaches, Lieut., John c. Colwell. of the
London embassy Lieut.. William T.. Sims.
who is accredited to ST. Petersburg and
Paris, and Lieut.. Albert Is. Niblack, who Is
attached to the German embassy, and also
accredited to Vieana and Rome. were pres