The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-03-29
THE BRAZILIAN AMAZONAS IS
PURCHASED.
Report of the Board of Inquiry Mo-
mentarily Expected-Belief That
the Finding VIII be External Effect.

SAN FRANCISCO, March 19.-The
report of the Board of Inquiry is
due and being awaited with impati
ence. 1t seems to be the general be-
lief that it will repor t the disaster
due to an explosion from the outside.
Spain's Board of Inquiry, on the 9TH
er hand, it is confidently believed,
will report an internal explosion as
the cause.
Preparations for war continue. The
United States has bought the Brazil
Ian protected cruiser Amazonas, just
built by the Armstrong;, and she
now floats the Stars and Stripes. It
is reported and believed that the Bra
lillian cruiser Abruall and the torpe-
do gun vessel Tupy have also been
bought.
The battleship Oregon has been or
dered to Callao and thence to the At
lantic. Many of the fast private
yachts have been offered to the Gov
ernment to be manned and armed as
auxiliary naval vessels.
Spain. it is said on good authority.
will issue letters of marque to priva-.
teers in case of war.
Colored troops will be sent to Cuba
by the United States in the event of
war, as being nearly the best fitted
put on war footing. Assurances
have been received from manufactur-
ers that sufficient amount of am
munition can be speedily manufact-
ured
WASHINGTON. March live are
prepared for war" These are Secre-
tary Longs words, spoken frankly
this morning. 81 am warranted in
saying we can obtain all the war YES
sells we want in case of war;" he ad-
ded Several vessels can become ours
at an hours notice. We have con-
cluded our plans for transferring the
merchant vessels into armored ships,
but we will not take possession of
them until the necessity arises. Yes.
we are fully prepared for war now"
WASHINGTON. March 14.-This
Government has purchased the two
Brazilian protected cruisers Amazo-
mas and Abrouall. The American flag
will he displayed on them within a
few days.
GRAVESEND. England, March IS
The cruiser Amazonas, built by the
Armstrong; for Brazil, and purchas-
ed by the United States. was formal
ly transferred from the Brazilian flag
to the Stars and Stripes shortly after
II o'clock this morning. The ceremu-
ny was simple and dignified, and, to
the Brazilian officers, it was SOM
what pathetic.
Lieutenant Commander Colwen,
United States naval attache, accompa-
MED by Ensign Roberts, Assistant En-
gineer Morris and Consul General
Osborne received the vessel from the
Brazilian Commander CORES.
NEW YORK, March 1s.-A Wash
ington special to the Herald says: 1t
is the expectation of the officials here
that another Brazilian vessel, this
time the torpedo gun vessel Tupy,
will be added to the United States
navy in a few days. While the Off
cials say that it is not absolutely GER
tain that the deal may be consummat-
ed, they feel very sure that the Unit
ed States will carry off the prize, and,
if it does not, Spain, which has long
been nibbling at this vessel, will not
get her.
MADRID, March 13.-El Impartial
says: The Government is momenta-
rily expecting to receive the report OF
the Spanish Commission, which, it is
understood, will maintain that the ex-
plosion was internal.
although the American Commits
sion may give another explanation the
Government will energetically uphold
the Spanish report"
The view held in official circles is
that Spain will not provoke war, be,
cause, if she did, she would find her.
self isolated; but if America gives the
provocation Spain will not be alone
in the struggle.
The general opinion is that in the
event of war Spain will not need tc
attack American territory. 1t will
suffice her to pursue war of priva
teering. As Americas commerce 4,
seven-fold greater than that of the
/ Spanish, the American interests will
| suffer most.
PARIS, March 13.-The Temps say,
today: "Spain does not deceive her