The record-union., 1895-04-29
This Government Badly in Need of
a Few in Southern Waters.
BOTH AS A MATTER OF CONVENT
ENCE AND ECONOMY.
Fully Demonstrated That Our War
Enemy in Case of War, Unless Con-
Yenient Stations at Which Coal
May Be Stored Are Purchased by
the GoYernment.
Special to the REooRp-Uw1ox.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, April 2S.-The recent
experience of Admiral Meade in his
cruise with a squadron through the
waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the
Caribbean Sea has served to again attract
the attention of the officials of the Navy
Department to the necessity of acquiring
at least one or two coaling stations in
these waters for the use of the navy.
Although the cruise lasted only few
weeks, the difficulty of procuring suffl-
cient supply Of coal at different points,
and at reasonable price, has strikingly
indicated the trouble which may be
expected when it shall be necessary to
maintain for long period of time, OF
perhaps permanently, number OF cruls-
ing gunboats in these waters. Such a
contingency is being prepared for by the
construction of number of boats calcu-
lated for just such service.
The sources of coal supply in that Sec
ton are at present largely in British
possessions. The price is always high IN
some ports, but it is very much higher in
others, being known TO reach Sl56 per ton
at Colon. Now that the navy has rid
that the ships rely altogether on steam,
the amount of money expended in coal is
assuming formidable proportions, and
the naval officials are using all their
ingenuity to keep down this expense
without injury to the service. Perhaps
for this reason number of officers who
had not regarded tavorably the PROPOSE
ton to establish coaling stations outside
of the United States are now becoming
convinced that such plan would be de-
cidedly in the interest of economy.
In the case of Admiral Meade'S cruise,
to prevent the payment of extortionate
charges for coal, the navy adopted the
plan of contracting with an American
firm to deliver coal alongside the vessels
of the squadron at some of the ports.
This plan worked well within certain
limits and a considerable economy was
effected But there were grave objec-
tions to the adoption of such plan as a
permanency. 1t requires the arrange
ments of the movements of the vessels OF
the squadron with great eXactuess a long
time IN advance, and this will be impossi-
Bile in times of trouble, just when the
vessels are required TO be well supplied
with coal, so as TO be able 10 make sud
den movements.
There is also reason to believe that
while no objection has yet been made to
this experiment, the nations owning the
cruisers will not permit the practice to
continue without the collection of heavy
duties on coal, and up to this time no
thoroughly satisfactory means has been
found by which the coal can be trans
shipped on the open sea.
But aside from these purely economi-
cal reasons for the establishment of coal
ing stations, stronger one is found. In
the time of war, under the neutrality
laws, our ships would be excluded from
the privilege of cOaling in foreign ports
ana would thus be absolutely prevented
from hostile operations, If they did not
fall easy victims to an enemy better
equipped with basis of coal supply.
1t is said by naval officers that the COM
mon belief that these commercial stations
will be very expensive to acquire and
would be required to be strongly forti-
fed also at great expense, is without
real foundation. Some of these officers
who have been giving great attention to
the subject, are confident that the United
States could readily arrange for the ac-
QUESTION of coaling stations from almost
any OF the countries along the Gulf ot
Mexico or the Caribbean Sea at nom
lnal price. Nothing in the way of equip
ment Is necessary except a landing
wharf, and the services of one man to
watch the place would suffice. In case OF
war, If the station was near enough to the
scene of hostilities TO be necessary, il
could be protected by the very ships that
would be required to use the coal. If il
was distant from the scene and not nec-
essary 10 the service at that time. il
could be left to take its chances, for the
enemy would scarcely find it protitab bic
TO send ships to capture coal pile which
could readily be replenished at any con-
venient time
1t is said Secretary Herbert is giving
this subject much attention. and when
Congress meets again he may recommend
TO that body that the department be
clothed with the necessary power to ac.
quire suitable sites for coaling stations.