harbor, it is said the war
fever has attacked the city, and the Spaniards there are anxious to
fight the United States.

* * * * *

Conflicting reports have reached us as to whether Spain has bought
war-ships in England or not during the last week. It is, however,
reported on good authority that Spain has negotiated a large loan in
London; the amount is not known. Several vessels have been in course of
construction for Brazil and Chile, and now that they are almost
completed, it is said that the Spanish Government, by agreeing to pay
immense sums, is attempting to secure them. It does not seem likely that
Chile would give up a battle-ship just now, as the relations between
that country and the Argentine Republic are very strained. There is no
doubt, however, but that Spain is increasing the efficiency of her navy,
which is beginning to assume very formidable proportions.

The United States is also busy putting the older ships in good order,
and rushing the work on those being constructed. The Government, it is
reported, has the details of construction of many boats now building on
the other side. One report was that the United States had an option on
every ship being built in Europe, except, of course, vessels being built
for Spain. This report, however, has not been confirmed. For the United
States to have the option on a ship means that no other nation will be
allowed to buy that ship unless the United States decides that she does
not wish to have it herself.

The Spaniards are disturbed at the news of an American squadron at
Hongkong, on the coast of China. If you will look on your map, you will
find that the Philippine Islands are not very far from Hongkong. These
islands belong to Spain, and in the event of a war between the United
States and Spain, great damage could be done by this fleet.

* * * * *

The monitor _Terror_ has arrived in New York harbor from Hampton Roads.
This boat is 249 feet long, 56 feet wide, and can steam 12 knots an
hour. The _Puritan_ and _Miantonomoh_ are two boats in the same class as
the _Terror_, and for harbor defence they are unsurpassed. Very little
surface is exposed to the fire of the enemy, as they are very low in the
water; so low, that often, when in a sea-way, the waves wash over
everything but the smoke-stacks and the turrets, so you can see how very
difficult it is to do any damage to these formidable boats.