Scramble for Warships.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 6207, 1 March 1904, Page 4

Scramble for Warships.

Many different versions have been lately published of the circumstances attending the recent purchase of two battleships from Chili by the British Government, but the undermentioned account of the negotiations may be taken as being strictly authenic. When the two ships Constitution and Libertad first came into tho opsn market the British Government were approached by the agents entrusted with their sale with a view to their purchase. The offer, however, was declined for various reasons, notably on account of their acquisition interfering with the Admiralty's shipbuilding programme. For the same reason Japan likewise declined to buy them. The progress of events in the Far East.,however, caused the latter Government to reconsider their decision, and negotiations for their purchase were begun. The Japanese Government, however, did not show sufficient readiness to bring the bargain to a conclusion, aud stipulated that payment for the ship 3 should be made in instalments covering a considerable period. While these negotiations were proceeding, the Russian Government suddenly made a firm offer for <:he ships, amounting to £1,800,000 to be paid in cash within twentyfour hours. The occasion was extremely critical. Acquisition of these fine ships by Russia would have seriously interfered with the balance of naval power in the Far East, and would have constituted a serious menace to our ally. At this psychological moment our Government acted with statesmanlike decsiori and promptitude, and to the intense rtlief of Japan they weie immediately acquired for the British Navy.