Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-03-16
TAKE POSSESSION AT ONCE.
United States Flag to be Hoisted on the
AlnaXOnaS.

United States Flag to be Hoisted on the
Amazonas.
Washington, d. c., March 14.-Orders
have been sent to Commodore Howell
commanding the European station, to
send a force of men from the San fran
cisco to take possession Of and hoist the
United States flag on the Brazilian ship
that is ready to go into commission at
Newcastle. This will prevent any diff
Guilty in case hostilities, should break out,
as the ship would be under the flag, but
lying in a friendly harbOr.
London. March 1.-THE Press associa-
ton says Spain has purchased the battle
ship O'Higgins, built by the Armstrong;
for Chill, but the CHILEAN charge d'atfaires
does not confirm the report. lie says a
CHILEAN crew for the vessel is expected
here next week to take the OHiggins TO
Chill.
Washington, D. c., March 14.-The re-
ported sale to the United States OF the
two Brazilian cruisers, AmaZOnas and Ad-
miral Breu, now receiving their finishing
touches in an English shipyard, was con-
firmed here this afternoon. 1t Is learned
also that Spain has not secured the . Hlg-
gins, and that Chill will not sell her to
Spain.
It is said furthermore that Spain has
not purchased and cannot purchase ships
from either Chill or the Argentine Re
New York. March 1.-THE Brazilian
minister's confirmation of the purchase
by the United States of two Brazilian
warships was handed to Rear Admiral
Bunce at his headquarters IN the BROOK
Ign navy-yard today.
Admiral Bunce and his senior aide,
Capt. Gilmore, received the cable dis
patch with evident satisfaction and then
so expressed themselves.
Just what arrangements will be made
for the manning of the newly-purchased
vessels could not be definitely ascer-
tanned. but the general impression IS that
the navy department will assign two cap
tains. eight deck officers, two navigatOrS,
and q sufficient number of engineers, to-
gether with seamen, tiremen and coal
passers. who will go over TO Europe and
bring the vessels here. Neither vessel
will have anything like full complement
of men. however, until 1t reaches this SIDE
of the Atlantic.
Work on the Dolphin. which is lying
at the coal dock, is being rapidly pushed
along. while the wOrkmen on the Chicago
and Atlantic are also very busy.
Orders were received today by the Ottl-
GERS in charge of the United States ma
rine recruiting station at 100 West street
to enlist $50 men.
Washington. d. c.. March 1.-THE
President does not propose to spend any
more of the 100000 that has been
placed in his hands than IS absolutely
necessary. and he is determined that as
much of it as he is required to spend to
place the country IN Il defenSlbe cOndl-
ton shall be expended within the limits
of the United States. He has given in
structions to Secretaries Long and Alger
to have separate books kept and sepa-
rate accounts rendered for all disburse-
ments from this emergency fund, so that
it shall not be confused in any way with
the regular appropriations. and he spent
two or three hours yesterday with them
and with Secretary Gage in considering
the details. This money is available un-
til the LIST of next January, and on that
date or as soon after as possible he
wishes to be able TO present to Congress
a detailed statement accounting for
every dollar III such a manner as his
most critical opponents Will approve.
No man could feel more deeply or ap-
preciate more fully or profoundly the
confidence that has been reposed in him.
and for that reason alone. if there were
no other, the President feels an acute
anxiety that nothing shall be done by
any of his subOrdinates in this gigantic
transaction that will cause the Demo
Gratis and POpulists to regret the cordial
support they have given him. | wish |
might be allowed to quote what the
President said on this subject today, but
he will not allow an exception to his
rule concerning newspaper interviews.
Thus far the navy and war depart
ments have entered into contracts and
other obligations TO the extent Of about
Sl2OOO,OOO, and the bids will be opened
tomorrow and Tuesday for about So
100000 more. These contracts have
been at rates that will average as low as
those paid in the regular purchase of
military and naval supplies for the last
three or four years at the dullest period
OF commerce IN such merchandise. While
| there has been occasional attempt to
take advantage of the emergency they
have been rare exceptions, and the CON
tractors with whom the government is
dealing are showing a patriotism and lib
erality that are in marked contrast to
the stories we read Of their rapacity in
1861