New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-25
GREECE WILL Get
U. S. BATTLESHIPS
FormalitieS of Transfer
Almost Completed-Jubi-
lation in Athens.

Washington, June 24.-Navy officials
were busy to-day preparing to turn
over the bsttleships Idaho and Misss-
sippi to the Greek government. Final
action on the naval appropriation bill,
which includes authority for the sale
of the warships, will be taken in
day or two, and as soon as the Presl-
dent has signed the measure the de-
Dartment will be ready to order the
transfer.
1t is left to the President and the
Secretary of the Navy to name the
sale price, the intention being to fix
this at the actual cost of construction
and equipment. This involves a rather
complex calculation. but il is believed
that $11 $780, 900 will be about the figure.
With the vessels will 60 most Of the
supplies now aboard and full store
of coal to carry them to their des-
tinations. There was some idea at
one time of taking out the fire con-
troll" or system of electric communi-
cation by which the commanding
officer of the ship is enabled to point
and fire every gun from the bridge
or coming tower This is a particu-
larly American development, but the
system as installed on the Idaho and
Mississippi is fairly well known in
other navies and has already been
much improved upon.
According to the tentative plan OF
transfer, the Idaho, which is now at
Gibraltar. will be sent northward to
Gravesend England, where she will
be met by the battleship Alabama,
now in reserve at the Philadelphia
Navy Yard, which will take off her
personnel, including the Annapolis
midshipmen now on their summer
cruise. Then the Idaho will be
manned by the Greek naval crew.
The Mississippi, now at Pensacola,
will be sent to a northern navy yard,
probably Boston, to be stripped OF
the aeronsutic appliances that encum-
Der her deck and superstructure. Her
personnel will be transferred to the
North Carolina, now in reserve at
Boston. and Greek sailors will be on
hand to take her across the Atlantic.
The possibility of an actual out
break of hostilities between Greece
and Turkey is being considered in
connection with the arrangements for
the sale of the ships. In the event Of
actual war and a proper declaration
by either party or both, the sale could
not be cOnsummated or the ships de-
livered without a violation Of neu-
trslity.
Athens. June 24.-Great jubilation
was expressed in political circles
here to-day over the impending &C
quisition of the American battleships
Idaho and Mississippi.
These two war vessels will, 1t IS
declared, assure the balance of naval
power between Greece and Turkey, and
will thus prove factor in maintain
ing peace.
Malta, June 24.-The Greek Consul
here to-day issued a notification TO
Greek naval reservists, resident or
employed in Malta, that the Greek
government had ordered five classes
OF the reserves to return to Greece
by Saturday.
LONDON, June 25.-An Athens dis
patch to "The Daily Telegraph says
that the United States Congress. by
authorizing the sale Of warships to
Greece. has averted an immediate
declaration Of war and that the pros
poets for peace have been greatly
improved.
Fighting continues i'm Albania.