Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-06
HAS HIS EYES OPEN.
UNCLE SAM LEARNING WHERE
WARsHIPs CAN BE BOUGHT.
SEVERAL HAVE BEEN OFFERED.
PURCHASES WOULD REQUIRE con-
GREssIONAL ACTION.
Precedent for the Assum ption of Au-
thOrity by the Secretary of the
Navy-Olympia Not to BE
Ordered Home From
Asiatic Waters.

Washington, March 5.-The continued re-
ports that Spain is buying new warships
led to counter-reports that the naval au-
thoritieS here were considering similar pur-
chases. In no official quarter at the navy
department could this be confirmed, as
steps of this character necessarily would
he guarded with the greatest secrecy.
There is little doubt, however, that the de-
partment is informing itself fully as to the
opportunities of purchases. should the ne
cessity for more ships arise. Thus far
there have been no negotiations for ships,
and no options asked on particular ships.
Quite number of offers of ships have been
submitted to Secretary Long by shipbuild-
ing concerns in this country and abroad.
These have been docketed and filed. but
beyond an acknowledgment of the offers,
no steps toward purchase have been made.
Under ordinary circumstances the navy
department would require authority from
congress to purchase warships. 1t is un-
derstood, however, that the naval authori-
ties feel that such emergency measures as
might be required would have the subse-
Quent approval of congress. A precedent is
cited as to the purchase of naval vessel
in time of emergency without the assent
of congress. While Secretary Chandler was
at the head Of the navy department, in
formation reached here that the Greely
Arctic expedition was in perilous condi-
ton, and that relief was imperative with
out days delay, and it is now matter
of history that if the relief party had been
twenty-four hours later in reaching Greedy
and his men the latter would have sue
cumbed from starvation. None OF the ma
val ships at the time was available. The
Bear was offered for sale, however, and
Secretary Chandler closed the contract for
its purchase. stating at the time that if
congress failed to ratify the purchase and
make the appropriation necessary for the
purchase price, he would hold himself per-
sonally responsible to the contractors. The
Bear was successful in its relief mission
and congress promptly ratified MI: Chan
dler'S course by appropriating for the ship.
revenue cutter, on duty in Alaskan waters.
1t is said that the course of procedure
would be followed in case Of emergency at
1t was decided this afternoon to abandon
the projected order to the flagship Olympia
to return to San Francisco from Hong
squadron squad would be made mad up up of gunboats
and unprotected cruisers, without any great
degree Of defensive and no offensive force
more, now at Honolulu. has been selected
to take the powder to be brought to that
port by the Mohican further along to Hong
Kong for the vessels of the Asiatic squad
ron.
Whether or not the ship will be attached
to the, squadron permanently has not yet
The torpedo boat Winslow, which has been
under repairs at the Norfolk navy yard,
sailed to-day for Key West to join the
fotilla.
Herald from Washington says:
Fully realizing the Importance OF prepar-
ations for any emergency the president has
directed the navy department to open ne
gotiations looking to the purchase abroad
Of warships. This fact is now for the first
time made public. It probably would not
the excitement caused by the statement
published that the war department had
purchased or was negotiating for warships
England, for Brazil and for further ships
under construction. With a view Of
ascertaining the facts your correspondent
tration and obtained an official admission
made for the first time-that while the pres
ident does not anticipate war. he recognizes
that there is a possibility of hostilities grow
ing out of the Cuban problem and the
Maine disaster. and that he proposes to be
prepared for 1t.
the preparations. patent to everybody,
which have been in progress for some
time, but there has been no official ad-
mission to this effect until now.
Eight men-of-war, which are practically
completed in foreign ship yards. have been
offered for sale in the United States. The
advisability OF placing an option on them.
The navy department has been carefully
watching the construction abroad through
the eyes of Its naval attaches attach, i at London;
Rome. This surveillance has been main
tained for two months. but more especially
since the Maine disaster.
Through these naval attaches and from
the shipbulders themselves, the secretary
of the navy has learned that he can now
purchase two small sized battleships. two
or tOrDeGO boats.
all at a comparatively low price. The bu..A-
have promised that they can deliver
at this time complete in every respect, and
all that will be necessary for the admins
tration will he to order the necessary de-
tails of officers and men to proceed to the
ship yards go on board the vessels and
take them to any points which may be de-
sired.
The builders have urged that the pur-
chases be made at once. as they say that
declaration of war between the I nited
States and Spain will result in the enforce
ment of neutrality laws and prevent the
sale Of the ships.
The battleships and armored cruisers have
been built by English and German firms
for governments which are. now un-
ment would have no difficulty in obtaining
necessary amount Of cash. The four tor
Thornycroft shipbuilding Company. whose
among the best in the world. While your
correspondent was unable to learn the
names of these ships which have been Of
fered to this government. there Is reason
to believe that among them are three pow
erful ships under construction at the Vul-
nese government. These three ships are of
500 tons displacement, contracted to make
19.5 knots, and will be able to carry not
less than a thousand tons of coal in their
bunkers.
There is also reason to believe that in
case of trouble this government could pur-
IA api md Ia
Chiosa, which are near completion Al Phila-
delphia and the Union Iron works The
official with whom your correspondent talk
ed had no doubt that Japan would be will
ing TO aid the United States by selling the
Warshps before the commencement of war
SPAlNS NEW WARSHlPS,
Besides the Two Cruisers Bought of
Brazil She VIII Also Buy