Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-09
ENGLISH PRESS COMMENT.
Few Vessels in the Warship Market
Navles Compared.

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London, March 8.--The st. James Ca
zette says: can American naval author
ity. now in this country, takes a cyni-
cal view of the torpedo boats building
for Spain here, and of the three already
delivered, which might just as well be
paid for by Spain in the first in
stance, and make valuable additions to
the United States navy later on
The article referred to also points out
that the earliest time in which the Chill
ian cruiser, which cost $400, 900, can be
finished, is three months. In conclu-
sion, 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
Britain and France can do. 1t is true
these are not the only warships building,
but the others, 12 Japanese and two Chi
nese cruisers and eight torpedo boat
destroyers for Japan, are so keenly and
Immediately desired by their respective
governments, that no price would buy
them"
The proposed appropriation of $50,000,-
600 for national defens has excited
the utmost interest among English deal
ers in war munitions.
Hiram Maxim, OF rapid-fire gun fame,
said, significantly, that 'if the United
states intended to make purchases in
England, she Snould thaVe begun a week
ago" He also submitted he was aware
that Spain had placed large orders with
in week, but he declined to say wheth-
er orders had been placed with his firm.
1t is known, however, that IL the United
States needs eight-inch guns and pow
der she could secure a full stock at
tT1iU
just received here reveal the fact that
three United States naval attaches were
present at the Elswiclx's submerged tor
pedo tube trials in Norway, on Feb. %.
Much Importance is attached to this in
Vention. The trials were pronounced
most successful Whitehead torpedoes
were fired through the tubes at g. IL
and Is knots speed, with remarkable ac-
curacy. Inquiry made here among
financiers and diplomats, reveals gen.
eral scepticism in connection with the
reports that Spanish loan had been
f1oated in London. Spain, 1t is true, has
made repeated attempts to raise money,
the most recent attempt being made
only fortnight ago, when the Roths-
childs and other financiers were ap-
preached, and emphatically and finally
informed the Spanish agents that there
was no more money to be had from
them for Spain.
Diplomats here say spain mas en-
deavored to raise a loan among her
wealthy citizens abroad, offering lien
on public buildings as security, and it is
thought possible this may be the source
of the present disbursements.
A factor which must be taken into
consideration in the purchase of ships
is, it is said, that any government has
the power to take ships, building for
foreign governments for its own use at
the last moment. Great Britain, upon
several occasions, has done this.
The Standard today publishes a long
article, comparing the navies of the
United States and Of Spain, and says:
Some indication of the extent of
Spain's preparation is afforded by the
measures adopted to protect Havana
harbor against surprises. With the flo
tilla Of torpedo boats which joins the
Vizcaya and Almirante Oquendo there
before the end of March, the squadron
under Admiral Corvers, composed of the
Alfonso XIII and the Maria Theresa,
with two second-class cruisers and tor
pedo boats will be reinforced by the
battleships Pelayo, Charles V and Chris
topher Columbus, accompanied by three
destroyers and three torpedo boats. The
fleets thus brought together in the West
Indies are described as epreSentating
all the available naval force for foreign
service, and 1t will be entirely mobil-
ized, some old iron clads, which were
recently refitted being utilized in
guarding the coasts of the peninsula"