Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-03-09
SPAIN HAS BOUGHT WARSIIPS
United States Can Get Others II It Needs
Them.
Naval Onicer Remarks Spain May as Well
Pay for Them-But There Is No
Likeiihoods OF War.

London, March S.-The English news
papers today confirm the news of Span
ish purchase of warships. The st.
James Gazette, which yesterday pub
lished the denials OF the Spanish em-
bassy and the Spanish naval commits
sion, which has an office In London.
says today: 1T is ascertained on very
high authority. In spite of denials, that
the Spanish government has almost
certainly succeeded in buying three
nearly completed cruisers here, and two
coast defense vessels. which are about
to be launched in France. Experts are
almost as much surprised at the sue
cess OF Madrid in raising money as by
the clever diplomacy which secured
the Chilean and Brazilian cruisers of
the Armstrong; at a cost believed to be
a million pounds sterling. almost before
the move was suspected"
The article goes on to say that much
competition between Spain and the
United States for these various ships
constructing was expected But
America has come to the conclusion
that Its naval resources are strong
enough to confront Spain and is play
Ing waiting game"
tohtihuihB, the ST. James Gazette
says:
AN American naval authority now
IN this country takes a cynical view of
the six torpedo boats building for
Spain here and of three already de-
livered, which might Just as well be
paid for by Spain In the first instance
and make valuable additions to the
United States navy later"
The paper also points out that the
earliest time in which the Chilean
cruiser, which cost 81, 900 600. can he
finished is three months, adding that
the other vessels purchased will take
longer to finish. so that in the event of
war, which VIII come soon II at ALL"
The ships will be useless, as interna-
tionaI law viii prevent their delivery.
In conclusion the St. James Gazette
remarks: "A feature of the warship
market at present Is the small num-
Der of vessels available. Three cruisers
ana TWO coast defense vessels is the
best Great Britain and France can do
II Is true these are not the only war
ships building, but the others, II Japa-
nese and two Chinese cruisers and
eight torpedo boat destroyers for ia
pan, are so keenly and Immediately
desired by their respective govern
ments that no price would buy them.
II IS said that even If the Amazonas
should sail for here with a Brazilian
crew she Will turn up in Cuban waters
with Spanish crew. The affair. natur-
any, has been kept as secret as possl-
bic.
The Introduction in Congress yester-
uay or bill appropriating $50 900 900 for
national defense has excited the utmost
interest among English dealers in war
munitions.
Hiram Maxim. OF rapid-fire gun
fame, said significantly that II the
United states intended to make pur-
chases In England she should have be-
gun week ago. He also admitted that
he was aware that Spain was placing
large orders, but he declined to say
whether orders had been placed with
his firm. 1t is known. however, thar
II the United states needs eight inch
guns and powder she could secure a
~ stock at fortnight's notice.
Norwegian papers just received re-
veal the fact that three U. s. naval at
taches, Lieut.. John c. Colwell Of the
London embassy: Lieut.. VIM. Emmons
VINO Is accredited to st. Petersburg and
Paris, and Lieut. Albert p. Niblack.
who 10 attached to the German en-
passy and also accredited to Vienna
ana Rome. We're present at the Els
WICK submerged torpedo tube trials in
Norway, February 23rd. Much i'm
portance is attached to this invention
with which the Norwegian ship Harald
itamarfargre Is fitted. The trials were
mead torpedoes were fired through the
tubes at 9.l2 and IL knots speed. with a
remarkable accuracy.
inquiry made here among financiers
end diplomats who are likely to know
any facts in the case reveals general
scepuclsm In connection with the re-
ports that a Spanish loan has been
iioated in London. Spain. 1t is true,
has made repeated attempts to raise
money, az previously cabled. the most
recent effort being made only fort
night ago when Rothschilds and other
nnanciers who Were approached en-
phatioally and finally Informed the
spanish agents that there was no
money to.be had from them for Spain.
Diplomats here say that Spain has
endeaNored to raise n loan among her
wealthy citizens abroad. offering n lien
on public buildings as security and II
Is thought possible this may be the
| source of the present disbursements.
A factor which must he taken into
consideration In the purchase of ships,
u IL said, Is that any government has
the power to take ships building for
foreign governments for its own use
at the last moment. Great Britain ON
several occasions has done this.
The Standard today publishes Ions
article comparing the navies OF the u.
5. and of Spain and says:
Some indication of the extent Spain
| Ia prepared is afforded by the measures
adopted to protect Havana harbor
against surprises. With the flotilla OF
torpedo boats which joins the Vizcaya
and Almirante Oquendo there before
the end of March the squadron COM
posed OF the Alfonzo XIII and the
Maria Theresa with two second class