The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-05-06
ARGENTINE PRIDE
SpURNS BIC PROFIT
Refuses Offer Of SIT, 100000
For New Dr0adnOught Moreno.
NATIONS AT WAR WANT IT.
Greece, Peaceful, Made Largest Bid
Against Many Other Countries-Ac-
QUESTION of Vessel Would Have Given
Her a Big Naval Advantage Over
Turkey.


Her a Big Naval Advantage Over
Turkey.
New YORK. - Argentina's patriotic
pride In her new super readnought
Moreno, which sailed recently from
Newport News, is strong.
Not even a profit Of about $6.0oO,00
In cash could induce the South Ameri-
can republic to sell this warship. one of
the largest ahoat. which was built at
Camden, n. j. The offer was made 10y
Greece through IN agent In this city,
acting on instructions Of the Greek
minister in Paris, whose government
was willing to pay f3,5O0.0o0 for the
American built vessel. The cost to Ar.
gentina for the construction of the Mo
rene was about $12,oo0.0OO.
Greece, however. was not the only
country that made bids for the immedi-
ate transfer of the warship for none
tary considerations that would net Ar
g~entina a large profit.
Italy. Ii Is understood. is anxious to
add the great sen fighting machine to
its navy, although her offer was not as
large as that made by the Athens gov
eminent.
The first intimation that negotiations
had been In progress mentioned Russia
as the bidder. but the fact of Russia $
inability to use the navy she now has
eliminated that country as one of the
nations that coveted the Moreno.
Yes, there have been offers for the
sale OF the Moreno" said Manuel A.
Molina. acting Argentine consul In
New York. II am not sure which
countries made the bids, but | know
that all of them were rejected by my
: government"
The fact that Greece, not yet EN-.
broiled In the European conflict, was
the highest bidder for the new sea
fighter confirms a recent statement
that the Hellenic power has been max
Ing pretentious military preparations,
which included the purchase of the
United States warships Idaho and Mis-
sissippi for $12,0O0,0O0 and are now fol.
lowed by the further offer of about
SIT, 100000 for the Moreno TO add to
her ready made navy.
Greece has also bought about 100000
tons of coal In this country aud q
large quantity of hospital supplies. be
sides ammunition. The further fact
that Greece was able to pay $4,000,
600 In cash for the two American YES
sells and vas ready to pay the amount
htl For Tho NInrann alrN fp1iaotAg n
favorable condition OF the Greek ex
chequer or the readiness of a friendly
power to advance the necessary
money.
The New York agent to whom the
Greek minister at Paris i~ntrusted the
important mission is in close socia
and commercial relations with Argen
tina, but the government at Bueno'
Aires refused to consider even tn
iattering offer that would mean
profit OF 30 per cent of the battleship'i
cost.
The prospective purchaser or pur
chasers were encouraged in their ne
gotiations by the controversy that de
veloped between the Argentine gov
eminent and the New York Shipbuild
ing company. which built the Moreno
over the payment for extra work
which delayed the delivery.
The acquisition OF this vessel of 81.
500 tons displacement and a speed o
221@ knots by the Greek navy In cas-
of a conflict with her ancient ant
natural enemy. Turkey. would be o
great Importance and would give tina
country a greatly superior nava
strength over that possessed by Tur
key.
Argentina has proudly rejected tn
; great ~inducement. and the Moreno Wi
: continue TO fly the blue and whit
: flag. The transport Chaco of the Al
gentine navy brought the crew for tn
Moreno and is now at Philadelphis
The Chaco will follow the super-D Dread
. nought south.