Show BOUGHT A WHOLE FLEET Twelve Speedy Yacht Yachts for tor Torpedo Boat DORt Destroyers Destroyer Washington March 26 By By the di direction direction direction di- di of President McKinley Secre Secretary Secretary tar tary Lon Long g spent something more than thana a million dollars Thursday in the purchase purchase pur pur- chase of 12 speedy yachts and sea-going sea tugs which will be he at once converted into torpedo boat destroyers rs and picket boats In directing the purchase of yachts yach and tugs President McKinly was vas guided by the Information showing that the Spanish torpedo boat flotilla has sailed from the Canary Islands for I Porto Bico Before this information came to hand band the authorities were not willing willingto I to pay the high prices asked by tb the e I owners of yachts and tugs which ha had been inspected and recommended for I f purchase by the auxiliary cruiser I board but the necessity of improvising a torpedo fleet to set off-set that which Spain is sending to Porto Rico was so I apparent that the president authorized that the negations be closed and that the vessels be purchased without fur ther Cher delay I |