The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-10

lively an estimate OF the funds IL could
dispose OF 10 advantage, but upon look
ing over the ground the President con-
Guided that It would be well TO avoid
making the allotment until the necessity
became apparent.
Tho reason back Of this is that the
sum that can be- proftably spent for war;
ships cannot even be guessed at with any
approximation 10 accuracy just now. As
the ships are TO be first choice IN the steps
for defense, until their cost Is ascertained
il is not possible 10 divide the remainder
OF the appropriation among the other
branches OF the military and naval SER
vices
The Secretary Of the Navy II making
every effort 10 secure from our naval at
tachcs and diplomats abroad all informa-
ton obtainable respecting the number OF
ships building. their price and other data.
This does not necessarily interfere with
the execution Of the plans conhded 10
Captain BrownsOn, who sailed FOR Soutn-
ampton to-day. but rather promises 10
assist him materially in making speed
with his inquiries
no OPTIONS
Up 20 this moment not only has the
United States government bought no
option on one
There are many applications coming
10 the department from persons and firms
who desire to sell ships TO the Govern
ment. but in most of these cases one or
two fatal obstacles are encountered %
the contamination Cf the sale. Either the
craft offered Is not suitable for naval
needs or the date or possible comp elton
IS so distant. from thrc months upward
that it cannot be regarded as worthy or
purchase 10 meet an emergency.
There is less difficulty experienced IN
securing tenders Of war material such
as shot and shell and powder and the
Navy Department has almost assured IL
aclf Of an abundant supply OF certain
kinds OF smokeless powder abroad ~
short notice The officials or the dc-
partment are duilv in correspondence 10y
mail and telegraph with agents Of am
munitiOn houses. and beside are now
fully acquainted with the plans OF do
mestic powder makers for enlarging their
plants TO meet an emergency.
CANNOT HURRY.
The representatives OF the armor-mak-
ing firms are in consultation with the
department steadily. generally relative
to the supply of gun f0rgings and such
material for use in the gun shops here aud
at Watervliet. but the matter " armor
is receiving lttle attention. as the armor
manufacturers say that they cannot
undertake to take out armor for the
modern battleships in Jess than ten
months. as the tempcring and hardening
cannot bc hasteued without destroying
the value of the armor
Thus it has been demonstrated 90 the
government that IL vii, bc unable 20 make
the armor for the battleships now build
ing 40 Newport News at Cramps ana az
the Union Iron Works 40 San Francis
90 I'm time 10 armor these ships this
year
MAY REPORT NEXT WEEK.
The statement was made 90 tine Navy
Department this evening that the Maine
Court of Inquiry will report 10 the De
partment some time next week n did
not appear. however. that this statement
was founded upon any direct facts. but
was rather the estimate based on the
progress so far made. as revealed by the
change in the methods of the court
Congratulations are coming TO tho
White House from AN parts Of the coun-
try on the attitude Of the administration
in the present phase of the Spanish ques-
tion.
Official reports indicate that the aU-
tonomy scheme projected for Porto Rico
has been put into successful operation.
This is interesting mainly because OF
resemblance between the project and the
plan which it is now sought 10 put i'm
play i'm cuba.
The War Department is arranging to
secure a large supply of the most modern
rifles sufficient in time OF emergency 10
arm a. force Of 10000 men.
BRAZILIAN SHIPS.
ssff
said to-day that he has received no in
formation as to the reported negotiations
toward the purchase of Brazilian warships
now i'm course of construction in foreign
yards. I'm other official quarters the inn
preston is growing that there is better
prospect of securing ships now building
for Argentina and Chilli Brazil has been
active OF late in building up her navy and
there is doubt as 90 her willingness to
part with any OF the ships now building
for her. These include two ir9uc.ad.
building at the Armstrong yards. tWJ
ironclads mt L. Seine. France, and three
torpedo boat catchers at Stetfin. Ger
many Considerable payments have been
made on these and they have become
largely the property of Brazil.
no Is claimed. however that the report
oi "a treaty between Brazil and Chill.
which would prevent either from selling
q ship unless the other sold al the same
time. Is erroneous.
The administration has definite inf0r-
nation from "a source which is regarded
as beyond question 10 the effect tha;
Spain has lot purchased the two Bra
lillian cruisers Barboso and Amazonias.
The cruisers Columbia and Minneapolis.
it Is now expected Will De fitted out and
manned by the 18th instant. 10 is likely
the two vessels will 20 Immediately TO
Hampton Roads where they will meet
tho Brooklyn.
lnasmuch as the return TO Washing
ton of Mr.. Hulsc. who acted as one of
the stenorranhCrs of the court of inquiry
al Key West has been the basis for the
assumption that he brought 10 the Sec
rstary Of the Navy rerort from the
court and also That he gave the Score
tarv what purported 10 he the conciu-
sions of the court as to the cause of the
Maine disaster. IL NAV b. stated bv au-
thority of the Secrv'ary that he has not
seen or communicated with Mr. Hulse
since the 'attpr'e return. nor does h' oV
p4ct 20 do so. So far as can be gathered
Mr. Hulse left the court of inquiry be-
cauec ii had no longer need for his ser.
vices.