The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-10
the white House. where 81 was signed By
the president
MAKING READY FOB SHIPS.


Tag Attentios-E'I<ssy ~ Shot
snd she'll AvailabBe.
WASHINGTON. March a-The feature
OF the days events was the prosnptituds
weh which the senate passed the house
hill authorizing 81 appropriation OF Sn.-
80 90 for the national defense and the
haste with which Il was put through the
forma. proceedings. engrossed and signed
b. the president
While the matter has besn considered.
n can 1e stated that the fund has nos
yet been allotted among TIE various
branches OF the government service
Each Of these has prepared roughly and
tentatively an estimate OF the funds II
could dispose OF TO advantage. bDs uton
hooking over the ground the president has
concluded that Il would be well, perhaps,
30 avoid making the allotment uniA the
necessity becomes apparent.
The reason back Of THE Is that the
som that can be profitaoiy spent for war
ships cannot even be guessed at with ap-
PROCLAMATION 10 accuracy Just bow. As
the ships are 10 be first choices In the
steps Of defense. until their cost l. sscsr-
tanned. IL Is not possible TO divide the
remainder OF the appropriation among
The other branches OF the military and
naval service.
The secretary Of the navy Is making
every effor; TO secure from our naval at
taehes and by diplomatic officers abroad
= ssk.s xsy Fxt< has
number Of ships building. their price and
other data This does not necessarily in
terfere with the execution Of the plans
esnsided TO Capt. Brownson, who sailed
~ Southampton today. but rather prom
iDss TO assist him materially In making
speed with his inquiries
Up to this moment not only has the Unit
ed States bought no warships. but II has
not even secured an option on one. There
are many applications coming to the de-
30 sell ships TO the government. bu, In most
OF these cases one OK two fatal obstacles
n encountered TO the contamination OF the
sases Either the craft offered In not suita-
bic for naval needs or the date OF possible
completion Is so distant. from three months
upward, that IL cannot be regarded az
worthy OF purchase to meet an emer-
Genoy.
There is less difficulty experienced In Sc
curing tenders OF war material. such a.
shot and shell and powder. and the navy
department mas almost assured itself OF an
abundant supply OF certain kinds of smoke
ie-s powder abroad at short notice The
Officials OF the department are IN daily
correspondence by mail and telegraph with
agents Of ammunition houses and besides
are now fully acquainted with the plans
OF domestic powder makers for charging
1helr plants TO meet an emergency.
The repre- seniatives OF the amor making
firms are In consultation with the depart
msnt steadily. generally relative to the
supply Of gun forgings and such material
for use In tho gun shops here aud a,
watsrvllei. but armor Is receiving little
attention as the armor makers report that
they eanno, undertake by any known
agency TO turn out such srmor as would
be required for a modern batticship In less
than seven months. for the reason that
tempering and face hardening cannot De
FASTENED without destroying the value OF
the armor Thus 1; has been demonstrated
- the navy department that IL Will not be
possible to make the armor for the superb
baisieshsps. three in number. now build
ing NJ Newport News. At Cramps and At
the Union Iron Works in san Francisco.
IN tim. 10 render ships far better. ~ Is
claimed. than any offered frsn abroad for
sale. available fer any emergency that may
arise this year
The administration has definite .nfor-
nation from source which Is regarded
as beyond question TO the effect that
Spain has not purchased the two Brazil
Ian cruisers.
nrews.oa VIII Net Take Trash.
NEW YORK. March s--Commander
Brownson. L. 4 ". sailed for South
ampten on the American line steamship
81 Paul today lie said:
Il ara gong to England under orders
directly from the navy department. not
pare fer the exixeucies Of the situation
and 20 see what can he had and what eat
Be done IN cass Of war the possibilities OF
which think are very remote.
Il may he absent a month. and perhaps
longer ! expec; 80 b. two weeks in I>on-
don bat canrei tell where / shall go
after reaching England"
The commanders attention Was called
e. the published statements that ferriwu
ship builders are trying 70 sell their POOR.
er stock 70 ihe United States.
You may rvst assured" sa&f re. "tha'
they won't aeii me asy trash
Charles II Crsmp she ship builder. ALA
sailed on the 81 fsai lie said he wa
going abroad on business trip
Crsnr SQUAD. ~ Warming.
PHILADELPHIA. Aarrh s-Caaries n
CrSmp head ~ the great shsrouii3ias
hrm. sass sAere b. deliberate atternpt
enies Way 10 frieasen TIE United State
bate buying ships is DOS ret ueca AK
cvad Pot Uee, HE says;
'rhts ciamor aNout buying warshsa.
ahrsaa IS az tasstssied by xyys1ieats
a. adNceturvfs she are yryias 80 ges s4s