The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-09
BRoWNSON SENT TO EUROPE.
If Anybody Has Any Men-of-War for
Sale, speak Up.


Washington, March S.-There was a
very strong suggestion Of the state of
affairs that might exist in time of
actual war In the busy scenes presented
at the navy and war departments to-
day. There was almost an unbroken
succession of conferences between OFF,
GERS and officials OF various degrees.
and throughout both these branches Of
war establishments the greatest activ-
ity was exhibited. Secretary Long was
especially busy. Before 10 o'clock he
was obliged to retire to his private
office and deny himself TO callers In
order to hold ii conference relative to
preparations to putting the navy at the
highest state of efficiency. Secretary
Long found time during the progress
of the conference to talk a moment with
Mr.. Lane, who has submitted to the
department proposals for the sale of
certain warships now building in
Europe at private shipyards. What
passed between them Is not known, but
Mr.. Lane hastened Immediately 20 the
cable office at the conclusion Of the
conversation to communicate directly
with his principals in Europe
II lis particularly with a view to ac-
quiring information on this point. that
il the possibility of buying ships imme-
diate1y. that Captain Brownson has been
selected to go to Europe. He Is an
officer of great discretion. and his expe-
rienee on the board of inspection. which
~ charged with the duty of thoroughly
examining all ships built for the navy.
has thoroughly famiiarized him with
all of the details of the various types of
warships, hattleships. armored cruisers.
protected cruisers. monitors and torpedo
boats. During the conference this morn
ing he was made fully acquainted
with the views of the secretary and his
advisers as TO the proper scope of his
mission. and he will lose no time In
starting for Europe. After the confer
ence he had a long interview with
Assistant Secretary Day of the state
department, and arranged TO obtain
letters to United States ambassadors
and ministers abroad instructIng them
to place every force at their disposal at
work to help Captain Brownson.
Commander Brownson will sail from
New York for Southampton by the first
available steamer, and will prosecute
his duties in England and France with
the utmost diligence and dispatch. At
Southampton where he VIII arrive early
next week. he will be joined by Lieut..
X. C. Colwell. naval attache of the
American embassy at London. Com
mander Brownson will 20 10 France
next with as little delay as possible and
will confer with Lieut.. w. :. Sims.
naval attache TO the American embassy
at Paris, and In his company inspect
the two battleships. Marshal Florian
and Marshal de Odoro. now building for
the Brazilian navy. and which. 1t is
understood, can be purchased by the
United States.
Commander Brownson lis also charged
with the important duty of investigat-
ing the practicability of the purchase
from foreign manufacturers of ord
nance material IN case our own supply
should prove inadequate.
The secretary made II plain To the
legislators at the conference that the
department is very much better pre-
pared than has been supposed IN the
matter of accurate information of the
shipbuilding in progress in European
shipyards
But the point upon which the depart
ment now seeks TO inform itself goes
beyond this and looks to securing infor-
nation as to which of these ships can
BE- purchased Immediately. IL was
shown that very many more difficulties
exist than the public Is aware OF in the
requirement Of such property as war
ships Most of these craft under con-
struction are being built under special
orders for various governments. and
only few. and those perhaps NOT OF
the most desirable type. are in the
builders hands in such shape that they
can be at once disposed of. In the case
OF some OF the European powers under
a strong monarchial form of govern
ment. it is possible for permission TO be
given at once for the sale OF ship 10
another nation, but in the case of more
complex conditions, such as those that
exis, ii the South American republics
which have ordered ships now under
construction in Europe. it Is feared that
grave constitutional ard legal objec-
tt1ns exist 10 the transfer Of the rights
of these countries IN their ships 10 the
United States. necessitating recourse TO
the legislative branches of their gov
eFnments for authorization. This Will
be a ttme-consu umtng process that could
be scarcely entertained in our case.
II Is known positively that negotia-
ti0ns are nov IN progress toward hav-
ing the United States acquire the two
crack cruise RS now being built for
Japan, one at the Gramp shipyards at
LL,AnLirltaa IN D.aH-a E.iahfA