The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-03-09
Washington, March, 8.

washington, NJ lrch, ).
In spite of numerous conferences of
officials of the continuation of the prep
aration now In progress on q large scale
to put the country In a state Of de-
fense and OF the outburst Of patriotic
speeches in Congress, there is feel
ing apparent in the best informed cir
clcs that the situation as to our rela-
tions with Spain was to-day much
more favorable than it was yesterday.
Perhaps the semi-ofIlcial advices re
ceived through the Associated Press
from Madrid. indicating peaceful
purpose on the part OF the Spanish
government, contributed in large mea-
suhe TO that feeling, or 1t may have
been that the growing knowledge Of
the vast extent of our own resources
tended 10 the belief that they would
impress others with the futility of at
tacking the United States. However
that may be, the feeling prevailed, and
a. the White House, too. after the Cab
iret meeting wherein all of the facts
that were known TO the President as
to the existing state Of affairs were
laid unreservedly before the cabinet
members and discussed.
LOOKING FOR SHIPS ABROAD.
Perhaps one OF the best evidences of
the confidence in j peaceful outcome
was the declaration that while Captain
Brownson was going abroad for the
government to learn what ships Of
war are for sale and their condition.
he would not necessarily make any
purchases, and it was hoped and eX-
pec;ed by the time he arrived in Eu-
rope the present cloud would have roll
ed by. The officer lef: Washington to-
night and will take the st. Paul 10
Southampton, sailing from New York.
He will report his arrival Immediately
at the United States Embassy in Lon
don. but further than that the Captain
declines 10 indicate the places he will
visit in Europe. He has been furnish
ed all of the Information in the posses
sion of the Navy Department respect
ing the shipping in course of construc-
ton in Europe and had n talk with
Mr. Lane who is said to have some OF
these ships for sale, though he does
not at present have the right in the
case of the two small Brazilian battle
ships now building at La Scinne in
France AS TO these. or indeed. any
Brazilian and Chilian war ships, as
1t has been discovered tina, Brazil and
terms of which neithe: country can
sell any of It's warships unless the 9TH
cr also sells ship. The reason for
this peculiar provision il 10 be found
in the alliance that is reported TO have
been entered into by these Two coun-
tries for mutual protection against Ar
gentina and other South American ma
tons.
AS TO the right to buy eoreign war
ships. all authorities agree that such
purchases may be made, even after
hostlities have begun, if the neutral
nation exercises strict impart!ality be-
tween the bclligeremts, and the ships
are not armed and lsutfitted ready for
service. The trade of ship building is
a legitimate one, which may be carried
on q: all times.
NAVY AND WAR DEPARTMENTS
ACTIVE.
y good deal is being accomplished in
the way OF preparation in both the
Navy and War DcpalItmt MIS-. The con-
fernce at the Navy Department to-
day looked into the procuremcn, OF n
suitable store OF ammunition, coal and
supplies. u>uchcd upon the qut s;ion OF
AHy docks and gen orally considered
a number of 0th:r uga,tters connected
with the operation Of warship The
War Department. was not behind the
Navy. General Flagler chief of nrdi
mace is very busy reaching out in
cvsry direction by means '3f telegraph
and the mail 10 lsarn just how far
the resources OF the big private man
ufacturing concerns can be relied on
10 come To the aid OF the department
IN arm!ng and cquopng a volunteer
army, III nd one he found nee ssary
MajCr General Miles is looking after
the personnel closely and to-day was
trying to perfect the organization of
the two new regiments of artillery
which Congress has granted Beyond
the statement shat the two senior licu-
tenant ColGnelS of the existing artillery
regiments Will be made colonies OF the
two new reg!msnts the names OF the
officers are withheld. f.
NO NEAR1R SOLUTION THAN
EVER
Three weeks ago tonight the Maine
was blown up. AS ii was last week
at this time, 50 il is now-nothing is
known officially as TO the cause of the
disaster. The court Is at work hard.
that is all that is known at the Navy
Department. IL is not even known
when it may be expected to finish It's
work. But the importance Of it's re-
port does not diminish in the slighicst
degree by the lapse of time, and in the
midst Of diversions, caused by more
recent happenings, the more thought
fu officials have not lost sight Of the
fact that when the report Of the court
of inquiry comes TO the Navy Depart