The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-05
The Government Has Succeeded in
Raising Money Somewhere
FRESH SQUADRON tn HAVANA,
The Board of Inquiry Leaves hey West
for rHavana--LittleT Thought 90 have
Been Learned There--DifiiCui-
ties Experienced by Divers
Hard To Apprcciate-Scopc
of the Investigation.

LONDON. March 4-Spain has pur-
chased two cruisers which the Arm
strongs have leen building for Brazil
the Amazonius and sister ship un-
named. OF 1000 tons each, twonty-three
knots and ten guns.
Spain is a.so negotiating for and will
probably secure TWO cruisers Of a similar
type which have been building in France
for Brazil
The Amazonius Is ready for launching
and her sister ship will soon be ready
The Spanish government is also endeav-
oring TO secure guns and large supplies Of
ammunition I'm England and on the con-
tincnt for immediate use.
RAISED MONEY.
The government OF Spain seems 70 have
funds. for it is understood TO be paying a
large part Of the purchase money in cash.
giving good security Tor the balance,
these being the only terms upon which
the Arms rones would deal
Some weeks AGO spain at cmpted 20 pur-
chase ships and supplies ~ England on
credit from pr0mirclt firms having close
relations with the government, but after
inquiries the firms refused 10 give credit
since Then Spain has raised raised FUNDS
from unknown sources.
Diulomats ln LONDON express the BELIEF
that French hnanciors are helping the
Spanish government
10 is known that Spain Is trying 10
purchase three other ships which are be-
ing built ly thc Armstrong;. but she has
not set succeeded in making bargain
consequently there is sun lime II the
United states wishes 10 forastall her
The United States could also forostall
Spain in the purchase ol other ships
building ln English and continental dock
yards
While Chill denies that any Of the ships
ordered Tor that country are for sale.
10 b. believed by naval constructors that
ChiHs best cruiser. the OH geins, which
SIS just finished could be purchased
a FRESH SQUADRON.
A letter just received here from Mad
I.d says 30 is definitely reported there
that fresh Spanish squadron destined
ior Cuba d. beng organized az Cadl2.
IL consists OF four ironclads the Carlos
s.. Psuyo. Alfonso Kill, and another
several eunb0ats ana trans-A lanud
steamer.
Active work is also proceeding upon
the torpedo boat dcs.roycrs Prosper.na.
Audaz and Ofada, and upon the torpedo
boats Habana. Rctamosa and Earcelo.
which form tho second boa, fotala that
Spain is send ns to cuba
HOW RECEIVED.
WASHINGTON. March Naval oiii-
cials arc deeply Interested in the reports
of the purchase of Warships by Spain md
make the reports of these transaciors
the text Tor complaints ol the inability
of our Navy Department 10 do likewise.
to-day the purchase Cf the AmaIonlus.
However as to che report from London
by Spain. 30 is said at the Department
that This vessel satod from Brazil sew
eral months ago end has been delivered TO
The Brazilian government
Her sister ship Is near completion In the
Armstrong wards.
Thlv are useful cru.sers copies o. the
Bar0ssa. now of The Brazilian Navy ond
their stronG point is their great radius
of action-So0 mncs-Rhich would ena-
blc them 10 cross Toe Atlau.c ana re-
cross without renewing their supply Of
coal
1hc other two ships building for Brazil
in France. which arc also reported 90 Toe
about 20 pass into spanish possession,
are presumed TO bc the D'adoro aud the
Floriona whicn are building at la seln-
me. Touion. These are small but power
ml 6aulcshlps Their tonnage is only
a1C2. hut they carry four ll-ilch rifles
in turrcts. iu addition 20 two 6-nch and
four a. inch guns and good secondary
battery. Their coai endurance. however
IS small and their forte would seem 20
be coast defense operations. or cruising
near "a base OF supplies
The London reports also caused com
ment at the state Department lu some
quarters thc feeling was expressed that
pending the inding of court of inquiry
On case having the International phases
of the Maine explosion the obligations Of
neutrality wcrc as strongly imposed on
Great Prtan and Brazil as ln time OF
war. But. as q general rule foreign
governments are free to sell warsa ps
either directly or through their citizens
up TO the actual date OF hostltes.