The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-09
OFFICIAL SUMMING UP.
Despite WarlilSc Preparations the
prOxnNNI Is NrIrLfnr.

| Prospect Is brighter.
| Washington. March Sin spite of nu-
merouS conferences of officials for contn-
lation of the preparations now in prog
ress on a large scale to put the country in
state of defense, and the burst of pa
triotic speeches in congress, there was a
certain feeling apparent in the best in
| formed circles thar Tho situation as TO oui.
relations with Spain was today much more
| favorable than yesterday. Perhaps the
| semi ofiicial adviees received through the
Associated Press from Madrid indicating a
peaceful purpose on the part OF the Span
| ish government contributed in a large
measure to that feeling or 1t may have
| been that the growing knowledge of the
vast extent OF our own resources tended
10 the belief that they would impress others
with the futllity OF attacking the United
States. However that may be the feeling
prevailed aud at the White House TIM
after the cabinet meeting wherein all The
tacts that were known to the president
as to the existing state of affairs were laid
uhreservedly before the cabinet and dis
cussed.
:. Whlle Captain Brownson is going abroad
ior the government to learn what ships of
war are for sale and their condition he viii
not necessarily make any purchases,
The officer left Washington tonight ana
VIII take the ST. Paul for Southamntnn
sailing from New York. He will report his
arrival Immediately at the United states
embassy IN London. but further than that
Tue captain declines to indicate the places
ne WIN visit in Europe. He has been fur
nished all the information in the posses-
SION OF the navy department respecting tho
SHIPS In course Of construction in Enrou,,
and had a talk today with Mir. Lane VINO
20 sau 10 nave some of these ships for
sale, though he does not at present bav,.
Ino risnt IN the case of the two small
-, niIsiiiah ships now building at Lazeinne
IN france. AS to these, or indeed anv IVA
zliian or Chilean warship, It has been dis.
covered that Brazil and Chile are parties
10 treaty by the terms OF which neIthay
country can sell any of it's warships unless
the other sells ship. The reason far this
peculiar provision is to be found in the
hhlanee mat Is reported to have been en-
ule1 INTO ny these two countries for mu-
suai projection against Argentine and other
south American countries.
as TO the right 10 buy foreign warshIps
al authorities agree that such purchases
may pc made even after hostilities have hc-
gun U The neutral nation exercises strict
ii,nhpartiaiity between the belligerents and
me SHIPS are not armed or Quilted. THE
mauthR IS recognized as legitimate one.
whlch may be carried on Mt all times. Mr.
Gay, when secretary OF state, laid down
me principle that III It be forbidden nv ths
Jaw OF nations to sell to beliigerent mn
armed vessel. completely equipped ana
ready for action, It is believed not to he
rs 70 the law to sell belligerent a
ssssei IN any other state, although it NAV
De convertible into ship OF war"
ar, Cay specified case In which Spain
,iu one OF the South American republics
then at war each bought ship from the
same "a snip builder, which ships afterwards
mel on the sea and had an engagement AZ
also specified the case OF Rurxis's sai,t,
4 who'e fleet OF ships to Spain, including
se,ne OF me Russian ships OF the line. while
Russia held neutral attitude betwaan
s ., and. ana the South American republ,c
,s Nan h Mn'eh sne was at war. The subject
n . one case Justice shorey held:
Wnile the sale Of 4 vessel. armed ~
=. 20 q nelliseront Is NOT forbidden
" international law. such vessel even on