Evening journal., 1898-03-09
CAN SELL SHIPS.
Neutral Nations Need Not Refrain From
So Doing Even Though Hos
tilities Have Begun.

WASHINGTON March 9.-In spite
of numerous conferences of officials, of
the continuation of the preparations
now in progress on a large scale to put
the country in a state of defense, OF
the outburst Of patriotic speeches in
congress, there was a certain feeling
apparent in the best informed circles
that the situation as To our relations
with Spain was yesterday much more
favorable than Il was the day before.
Perhaps the semiohoial advices re-
ceived from Madrid, indicating a peace
full purpose on the part of the Spanish
government, contributed in large meas
ure TO that feeling, or IL may have been
that the growing knowledge of the vast
extent of our own resources tended to
the belief that they would impress
others with the futility Of attacking the
United States.
However that may be, the feeling pre-
vailed, and at the White House, too
after the cabinet meeting, wherein all
of the facts that We're known to the
president as 20 the existing state of az
fairs were laid unreservedly before the
cabinet members and discussed While
Captain Brownson Is going abroad for
the government to learn what ships Of
war are for sale and their condition, he
VIII not necessarily make any pur-
chasos The officer left Washington
last night and will take the st. Paul to
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 to indicate the places he will
visit in Europe He has been furnished
all the information in the possession
Of the navy department respecting the
shipping in course of construction in
/ Europe and had a 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 battleshlps now build
/ ms at Ia Seinne, in France
As TO these, or indeed any Brazilian
| or Chilean warships, IL has been dis
! covered that Brazil and Chile are par
/ ties to a treaty by the terms Of which
neither country can sell any Of its war
ships unless the other also sells a ship.
| The reason for this peculiar provision
( ia TO be found in the alliance that is re-
! ported TO have been entered into by
| these two countries for mutual protec-
ton against Argentine and other South
! American nations. Captain BrOWns0n
| does not expect to stay abroad long
| and goes only on condition that he may
return immediately I'm case Of an open
rupture.
AS TO the right to buy foreign war
ships all authorities agree that such
purchases may be made. even after hos
uiities have begun. II the neutral ma.
ton exercises strict impartiality be.
tween the belligerents and the ships are
not armed and QUILTED for service
The trade of ahipbuilding is recognized
I as legitimate one. which may be car.
/ ried on at all times Mr.. Clay. wher
secretary of state, laid down the princi
pie as follows
"lf it De forbidden by the law OF ma
tions TO sell TO a belligerent an arme,
vessel completely equipped and read,
for action. IL is believed not to be con
trary to the law TO sell TO belligeron
% vessel In any other state. although /
may be convertible into a ship of war;
good deal is being accomplished n
The way OF preparation in both thu
navy and war Departments. A confer
ence at the navy department looked in
60 tho procurement of a suitable stor
Of ammunition, coal and supplies
touched upon the question Of drydock
and generally considered a number o
other matters connected with the Oh
Grafton Of warship. The war depart
mont was not behind the navy. Genera
] ilagler, chief az ordnance. Is very bus
reaching out in every direction b.
means % the telegraph. and the mail {
= learn just how far the resources Of IN
. big private manufacturing concerns ca
be relied on TO come to the aid OF IN
, war department in arming and eouip
! ping a volunteer army should enc b
e found necessary. He win not tell wha
8 he is doing In this direction. holdin
that 1t Is not wise to make everybod
b acquainted with either our strong q
our weak points. General Miles
looking after the personnel closely an
yesterday was trying hard to perfe,