Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-08
Financiers Wonder Where the Money
Came From.
THE UNITED STATES TOO SLOW
Rumor in Madrid That Fleet Will
Not Go to Cuba.
TALK IS MORE PACIFIC

LONDON, March S.-The English news
papers today confirm the news of Spain's
! purchase of warships. The ST. James Ga
zette, which yesterday published the de-
malls of the Spanish embassy and Spanish
naval commission, which has an office in
London, says today:
1T is ascertained on very high author
ity, in spite of denials, that the Spanish
government has almost certainly succeed
ed in buying three nearly completed
cruisers here and two coast-defense YES
sells which are about to be launched in
France. Experts are almost as much sur
prised at the success of Madrid in raising
money as by the clever diplomacy which
secured the Chilean and Brazilian cruis-
ers Of the Armstrong;, at cost believed
to be million pounds sterling, almost be-
fore the move was suspected
The article goes on to say that much
competition between Spain and the United
States for these various ships constructing
was expected, but that America had come
to the conclusion that its naval resources
are strong enough to confront Spain, and
IS playing waiting game.
View of kuyal Authority
Continuing, the St. James Gazette says:
IAN American navd authority now in this
country takes a cynical view of the six
torpedo boats building for Spain here and
of the three already delivered, which
might just well be paid for by Spain in
the first instance and make valuable addi-
tions tc the United States navy later on"
The article quoted also points out that
the earliest time in which the Chilean
Q
isEed is thee months, and adding that the
other vessels purchased will take longer to
finish, SO that in the event of war, which
will come soon If at ALL the ships will be
useless. as an international law will pre-
vent their delivery.
In conclusion the st. James Gazette re-
marks: "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, twelve Japanese and two Chinese
cruisers and eight torpedo boat destroyers
for Japan, ale so keenly and Immediately
desired by their respective governments
that no price would buy them
1t is said that even If the Amazonas
should sail from here with a Brazilian
crew she will turn up in Cuban waters
with a Spanish crew.
Affair Kept Secret.
The affair, naturally, has been kept as
secret as possible. The introduction in
Congress yesterday. of a bill appropriating
$50,OOO.OO0 for national defense has excited
the utmost interest, among English dealers
in war munitions. a..
Hiram Maxim Of rapid fire gun fame said
significantly that III the United States in
tended to make purchases in England she
should have begun a week ago." He also
admitted that he was aware that Spain
rad placed large orders within week, but
he declined to say whether orders had
been placed with his firm.
1t is known however, that If the United
States reeds eight-inch guns and powder
she could secure u full stock at a fort
nights notice.
Norwegian papers just received here re-
veal the fact that three United States
val attaches-Lieut. John &. Colwell of the
London embassy. Lieut. William e. Simms
who is accredited to st. Petersburg and
Paris, and Lieut.. Albert T. Niblack, who
IS attached TO the German embassy, and
also accredited to Vienna and Rome-were
present at the; Elsewicks submerged tor
pedo tube trials in Norway on February 23
Much Importance Is attached to this in
venti1n. with which the Norwegian ship
Harold Haarfargre is fitted. The trials
were pronounced most successful. White
head torpedoes were fred through the tubes
at 8. II and 15knots speed, with remark
able accuracy,
Where Did aspaAn Get Money!
Inquiry made here among financiers and
diplomats who are most likely to know any
facts in the case reveals general skepticism
III connection with the reports that Span
ish loan has been aoated in London. Spain,
1t is true, has made repeated attempts to
raise money, as. previously cabied. the most
recent effort baing made only fortnight
ago, when thee fothschilds and other finan-
ciers who wefe approached emphatically
and finally informed the Spanish agents
that there was no more money to be had
from them for Spain.
Diplomats here say Spain has endeavored
to raise a loan among her wealthy citizens
abroad Offering pen on public buildings
as security, and it Is thought possible this
may be the source Of the present disburse-
mentS.
SQUADRON Not to Sail.
A letter received here today from Madrid
says the Spanish torpedo squadron at
Cadiz will na. sail for. Cuba, lowing to
information yeceived from the United
States add Captain General Blanco.''
Peace Talk at Madrid.
MADRID. March S.-A semi-official news
agency Of this city issued today the fol-
lowing ANNOUNCEMENT:
After brief uneasiness there is a gen.
eral belief now that peace will not be
broken and that the relations between
Spain AID the United States will continue