SPAIN'S SEA POWER.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 482, 15 April 1909, Page 5

SPAIN'S SEA POWER.

J REBUILDING SCHEME. THREE IS.OOO-TON BATTLESHIPB. AND SMALLER CRAFT. [BY TELEOIUrn—riIESS ASSOCIATION—COrTMGIIT.) London, April 13. Tho Spanish contract of Messrs. Vickors, Son and Maxim, and other British firms, Babied qii February 4, comprises: Battleships, 15,000 tons 3 Destroyers 3 Torpedo boats 24 Gunboats 4 It is announced that tho total cost of tho ibovo programmo will bo seven millions storing. AN ANGLO-SPANISH CONTOACT. Tho above progrnmmo of now construction— i battleships, 3 destroyers, 24 torpedo boats, nid 4 gunboats—was laid down in an Act passed jy tho Spanish Legislature on January 7, 1908. The cost was then estimated at JC8,429,000. Tho lelay lias been over tho letting of tho contact, Spain desiring that tho ships should bo juilt in Spain, but having of course to lean m outside firms. It has been slated that the tuns, gun-mountings, and armour will bo made n Britain; but tho Spanish authorities have wen reticent as to details. Tho Madrid corespondent of "Tho Times" wrote, under data february 4: — "According to a report which is generally aoepted us accurate, tho Council of Ministers has efused three out of the four tenders made foe ho building of tho fleet, and has accepted in irinciplc tho fourth tender, that of a group f Spanish metallurgists and Messrs. Vickors, ons, and Maxim, subject to certain modiflcaions. If the modifications aro not accepted ,'ithin it) days the competition will bo declared oid. Tho Minister lor Marino is having pro-, ared for publication in book form ail tha ocumen's concerning tho eventual adjudication • f the contracts. Public opinion is much exited over tho secrecy observed in regard to tha latter,"