Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-09

and France VIII Be Inspected by
the Naval Expert-He Also Viii
INQUIRE Into the Ordnance Mater
ial on Hand-A Repetition of the
Assertions That Spain Has Pur-
chased Five Warships.
New York. March S.-A special to
rbs Herald from Washington says:
secretary Long has given orders to
commander w. II. Brownson. now on
dutv as a member of the board of in
.psetion and survey, TO leave at once
for England and France to inspect the
vessels which have been offered to this
government, and report without delay
II they are suitable for service in the
United States navy. Commander
Brownson Will not only look at the
vessels which nave been offered, but
will examine other warships under
construction for foreign nations, and
should he report that any are desir-
able and ready for sea this govern
ment will undoubtedly enter into nego-
ratons with the nations which order
Id the ships looking to their sale to
Inc United States.
secretary Long talked with Com
rauder Brownson and told him what
he wanted, and the instructions given
during the consultation will guide the
naval officer in the important work
which has been placed in his charge.
Tpon arrival at Southampton the early
p8rI 0f next week Commander Brown
sOn will confer with Lieut. J. c.. Col
we'll. who is naval attache to the Uni
led States embassy il London, in re-
card to the ships under construction
at ElsWick and other
POINTS IN ENGLAND.
He then will go to France where he
will meet Lieut.. w. S. Sims, who is
naval attache to the United States en-
bassy in Paris, and in company with
that officer will inspect the two bat
tleships Marshal Floriane and Marshal
Deodoro, which have been offered TO
this government.
Commander Brownson. while abroad
viii also inquire as to the amount of
ordnance material on hand 1t is
anticipated by the department that if
bostilities occur it will be necessary
material from foreign manufacturers.
Vioers Sons & Maxim, Limited, have
offered guns and ammunition to the
department, but the English powder
has nitro base, which the department
does not care to place on board naval
ships. because of the explosive quality
OF such powder. 1t is believed, how
ever, that the Duponts and the Cali
lou, H. L.
turn out sufficient brown powder for
the present.
London, March S.-The English
newspapers to-day confirm the news
OF SPANS purchase of warships. The
ST. James Gazette says to-day: 1T is
aseerJained on very high authority, in
spite Of denials, that the Spanish gov
eminent has almost certainly succeed
ed in buying three nearly completed
cruisers here, and two coast defense
vessels, which are about to be launch
ed in France Experts are almost as
much surprised at the success of Mad
rid in raising money as by the clever
diplomacy which secured the Gillian
and Brazilian cruisers of the Arm
strongs, at a cost believed to be a mill
ion pounds sterling, almost before the
move was suspected.
The article goes on to say that
MUCH COMPETITION
between Spain and the United States
for the various ships was expected,
but America has come to the conclu-
sion that its naval resources are
strong enough to confront Spain, and
Is playing waiting game Contfn-
Jung, the ST. James Gazette says: An
American naval authority, now in this
country, takes a cynical view of the
SIX torpedo boats building for Spain
mere, and of the three already deliv-
cred, which might just as we'll be
PAID for by Spain in the first instance,
and make valuable additions to the
United States navy later on
The article quoted also points out
that the earliest time in which the
Chillan cruiser, which cost $1,000, 600,
can be finished is three months, and
adding that the other vessels pur-
chased will take longer to finish,s sc that
IN the event of war which will come
soon If at all, the ships will be use
less. as international law will prevent
their delivery. In conclusion, the St.
James Gazette remarks:
A feature of the Warship market at
present is the small number of vessels
available. Three cruisers and two
coast defense vessels is the best Great
brtaln and France can do. 1t is true
these are not the only warships build
ing; but the others, twelve Japanese |
and TWO Chinese cruisers, and eight |
torpedo boat destroyers for Japan are
so keenly and Immediately desired by
their respective governments that no
price would buy them
lt is said that even if the Amazonas |
should sail from here with a Brazilian |
crew, She will turn up in Cuban waters |
WIN a Spanish crew. The affair, nat |
ufaiy has been kept as secret as pos |
Sloie. The Introduction in Congress
yesterday of a bill appropriating $50, |
Vo9'0UO for national defense has eX-
clted the utmost interest among Eng |
ASn dealers in war munitions.
hiram Maxim, of rapid-fre gun |
1&ne, said, significantly that IF the |
United States intended to make pur
chases in England she should have be- |
gun a week ago. He also admitted |
mat he was aware that Spain
HAD PLACED LARGE ORDERS
within week but he declined TO say |
,Noether orders had been placed with !
II. MS hrm. 1t is known however, that |
Il me United States needs eight-inch |
suns and powder she could secure a |
Ill stock nj Toytr7i orb ,nt;oa