The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-08
NAVY DEPARTMENT BUSY.
Making ArrnnGements for Securing Options on
Warshtps.

Making Arrangements FOR Securing Options on
warships.
WASHINGTON. March 7.-Notsince the memoir
able day after tho Maine went to the bottom of
Havana harbor has there been such busy
times at tho Navy Department as there
were to-day. Secretary Long. who. between
his several visits to the White House.
found opportunity to consult with his
bureau officers and o numhar 4otsmysteTinis
gentlemen. was not SO active as the attaches of
the Navigation Bureau. who were sending and
receiving kilograms in plain English and in
cipher and showing tho greatest amount Of
energy. But busier than all was Theo-
dore Roosevelt, tho Assistant Secretary OF
the Navy, to whom had been intrusted the
important duty of making arrangements for
augmonting the service by securing options on
vessels which foreign Governments and ship
builders are willing to sell. Mr.. Roosevelt
held consultations with representatives OF q
number of shipbuilding concerns. nud did not
leave the department until long after most OF the
other employees and officials had gone for the
day. He declined to tell anything whatever
about these conferences. Just before Mr.. Roose-
welt left the department he received a long
cable message in cipher. which related TO the
efforts that are being made to checkmate Spain
in her desire to secure options on every pur-
chasable warship in sight.
There was no definite action taken by the
Government to-day to secure the foreign ships
which can be had for ready money. but q
number Of kilograms from naval attaches
abroad were received telling OF the
terms on which options may be OBJ
tanned. Four 3o-knot torpedo-boat destroy.
ers, under construction by the Thornycroft
Company, are at tho disposal of the United
States, and options on them will be placed just
as soon as the President decides that they are
needed Some battleships and torpedo boats are
also practically assured to this Government. 1t
ia probable that o decision as to whether the
United States shall secure options on available
ships will be reached at a conference to be held
tomorrow morning between Secretary Long.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt, Senator Halo.
and Representative Boutelle. A naval officer
of high rank has been detailed to go abroad In
connection with the purchase OF ships. and Will
start immediately. He will act as the pur-
chasing agent of the United States In foreign
countries. Naval officials decline to disclose his
name.
It is believed that the Government has OBJ
tanned from Japan a promise that the two jap
anese cruisers building In this country will be
sold to the United States. Chief Constructor
Hichborn's trip of inspection to Philadelphia
last Saturday. ostensibly to inspect the little
Qunboat Princeton. building at Camden. 10
understood now to have been for the purpose of
learning from personal examination how many
weeks would be required TO complete these ships
II tho Government requires their services.
Japan 10 understood to have intimated. through
her legation here, that II the United States
desired TO purchase the two ships she will DO
willing to part with them at q price to
be agreed upon between the two Govern
ments, possibly half q million more than thoy
were contracted for. These ships are sisters.
One is building at Cramps and the other at San
Francisco. Both were launched two months
ago, and ordinarily neither will DO completed
and ready to be turned over 10 the Japanese
Government under six months. From q report
made by Charles Cramp. the Navy Department
believes the services OF the ship building In the
East could be secured within less than three
months by working longer hours and with q
double crew OF mon employed. These ships
could be about IS effective In battle as the Bal.
timore. They are expected to attain a sreed OF
twenty-five knots and have fine batteries for
the cruiser class.
From Apparently trustworthy sources 1t 10
learned also that the naval attache at London.
Lieut.. Colwell. has been instructed to report At
once what ships are available at British ship
yards for purchase. and how near completion
they are.
National Guard Ready for an Emergency Cali
TROY, March 7.-Adjt-Gen. TIlinghast was
asked to-day what the condition of tho State
militia 10 In case there should be an emergency
call. he replied: 1.-THE National Guard Of the
State Is as we'll prepared as possible for any
sudden call to take the Geld. and would without
doubt give such account Of itself as to be n pride
TO every citizen OF the Empire State"
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