The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-09
No PEACE PRETENSES
Uncle Sam is in the WarShip
Market Openly.
AGENT SENT TO EUROPE
Only FirSt-CIaSS Craft Wanted
and They Very Quick

Washington, March S.-There was a very
strong suggestion of the state of affairs
that might exist in time of actual wal
In the busy scenes presented at the navy
and war departments today. There was
an almost unbroken succession of confer
ences between officers and officials of var
ious degrees and throughout both these
branches Of the war establishment the
greatest activity was exhibited.
Secretary Long was particularly busy.
Before 10 o'clock he had been obliged to
retire to his private Office and deny him
self to callers in order TO hold a confer
ence. Senator Lodge was present as well
as Chairman Hale, of the senate naval
committee; Chairman BouteIle, of the
house naval committee; Captain Crownin-
shield, chief of the navigation bureau;
Captain Bradford, chief of the equipment
bureau; Captain Brownson, and Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt. Chief Constructor
Hichborn and Admiral Matthews, chiefs
Of the bureau of yards and docks, were
also called to the conference by the Sec
rotary to deal with special phases of the
question under consideration.
The conference had to do with the
preparations for putting the navy at the
highest state of efficiency and the fact
that Secretary Long was consulting at
every step with the representatives of the
legislative branch Of the government
showed the desire Of the president to
keep within the strict spirit of the con-
stitution.
WARSHIPS WANTED AT ONCE.
Secretary Long found time during the
progress of the conference to talk a mo-
ment with Mr.. Lane, who has submitted
TO the department proposals for the sale
Of certain warships now building in Eu-
rope at private ship yards. What passed
between them is not known, but Mr. Lane
fastened Immediately to the cable office
at the conclusion of the conversation to
communicate directly with his principals
in Europe.
The secretary made it plain TO the legis-
lators at the conference that the DEPART
ment is very much better prepared than
has been supposed in the matter of ac-
curate information of the shipbuiding in
progress in European ship yards. But
the point upon which the department now
seeks to inform itself, goes beyond this
and looks to securing information as to
which Of these ships can be purchased
Immediately.
DIFFICULTIES OF ACQUIRING.
1t was shown that very many more
difficulties exist than the public IS aware
of in the requirement of such property
nc Nfvcr n Frae- -
construction 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 mon
erchial form of government it is possible
Tor permission to be given at once for the
sale of a ship to another nation, but in
the case of more complex forms of gov
eminent such as those that exist in the
South American republics which have or
7ered ships now under construction in
Europe. it is feared that grave constitu-
ional and legal objections exist to the
transfer of the rights of these countries
In their ships to the United States, neces-
stating recourse TO the legislative branch
es OF their governments for authorize
ton. This viii be a Understanding pro-
cess that could be scarcely entertained in
Dur case.
CAPTAIN BROWNSON SENT.
1t is particularly with a view to ac-
auiring information on this point-that
5. the possibility of buying ships imme-
diately-that Captain Brownson has been
selected to so TO Europe He is an officer
Of great discretion and his experience on
the board of inspection, which is charged
with the duty of thoroughly examining
all ships built for the navy. has thorough
ly familiariZed him with all Of the details
Of the various types Of warships. battle
ships, armored cruisers. protected cruis-
Prs, monitors and torpedo boats. During
the conference this morning he was made
FULLY acquainted with the views of the
secretary and his advisers as to the prop
Br scope Of his mission and he will lose
no time in starting for Europe. After the
conference he had a long interview with
Assistant Secretary Day of the state de-
partment and arranged to obtain letters
to United States ambassadors and min
listers abroad. instructing them to place
every force at their disposal at work to
help Captain Brownson.
DILIGENCE AND DISPATCH.
Commander Brownson viii 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 South
ampton, where he viii arrive early next
week, he will be joined by Lieutenant J.
II
can embassy st London. Commander
Brownson will next so to France with as
little delay as possible and viii confer