Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-03-09
FROM THE ENGLISH PRESS.
Spain Buys vssseIs--lnseresi In Defence Bill
Strength Of Spanish Cuban Fleet.

Strength Of Spanish CUBAN Fleet.
| London, March S.-The English news
papers. today, confirm the news Of
Spain's purchase of warships. The st
James Gazette which, yesterday, pub
| lished the denials of the Spanish en-
| bassy and Spanish naval commission at
which has an office in London, says to-
day:
ut is ascertained on very high au-
thority, in spite of denialS, that the
Spanish government has almost GER
tainly succeeded in buying three nearly
completed cruisers here and two coast
defence vessels which are about to be
launched in France. Experts are al
most as much surprised at the success
of Madrid III raising the money as by
he clever diplomacy which secured the
CHILEAN and brazilian cruisers of the
Armstrong; at cost believed to b.
cl.o0o.ooo sterling. almost before the
move was suspected"
The article goes on to say that much
competition between Spain and the
United States for the various ships con-
structinS was expected. But America
has com" to the conclusion that its
naval resources are strong enough To
confront Spain. and is playing Il wait
ing game
Continuing. the 81 James GaZctt"
says: The earliest time in which the
CHILEAN cruiser which cost 600 900, can
he finished is three months and adding
that the other vessels purchased Will
take longer to finish. 50 that in the
event of war. which will come soon if
at ALL the ships win he useless. as in
ternational law will prevent their a.
livery"
1T is said that even if the Amazonas
should sail from here with a brazilian
crew, she will turn up in Cuban waters
with Il Spanish crew The affair nat
urally, has been kept as secret as pos
bic.
The appropriation Of 10000 900 flr
national defence To provide which Rep
rescntative Cannon introduced in tht
House in Washington, yesterday. has
excited the utmost interest among
English dealers in war munitions,
Hiram Maxim, of rapid fire gun fame.
significantly said, that If the United
states intended to make purchases in
England she should have begun a week
ago He also admitted HI was aware
that Spain had placed large orders
within week. but he declined to say
whether orders had been placed with
his firm. It is known. however, thar
If the United States need an S-inch gun
and powder, she could secure full
stock at a fortnisht's notice
NOrWrgia papers just received herr,
reveal the fact that three United States
naval attaches We're present al the FL
scWicks submerged torpedo tubes trials
in Norway, Feb. g. Much Importance
is attached to this invention. The
trials Were pronounced most success
fuL Whitehead torpedocs We're fired
through the tubes at .. l. and l. knots
speed with remarkable accuracy.
Diplomats here say Spain has en-
leavorcd To- raise a loan among her
wealthy citizens abroad, Offering a lien
ON public buildings as security and !,
is thought possible this may be the
source of the present disbursements
y factor which must he taken intoI
consideration. in the purchase Of ships
is. ii is said. that any government ha
the power to take ships building for
foreign governments for its own use at
the last moment. Great Britain upon
several occasions has done this
The Standard. today. publishes long
article comparing the naVieS Of the two
countries and says. Some indication
of the extent Spain is prepared Is at
f"rded by the measures adopted tpl
protect Havana harbor against sur
prIses. With the notilla Of torpedo
boats which joins the Nizcaya and Al