New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-07
SPAIN BUYING MUNITIONS OF WAR
THE RESERVE SUPPLIES THERE NOW Fellow THE
M1xIMt.M-THE SHIPMENT HENCE OF
,pMs TO Cl-I.A

Mx1MI.M-THE SHIPMENT HENCE OF
ARMS TO CUBA
London April G.-Agcnts OF the spanish "'Ne'"
ment are active in England in making coh.ra'''
for immediate delivery Of large supplies OF military
stores ammunition. etc. the Spanish reserve sup
plies having fallen below the minimum. l"pHe
contracts are for delivery in Spain to repace '"e
drain caused by the drafts from CUBA
Washington April 6-The impression that mu-
ri,ions Of war may not be sold by citizens OF the
United States Cubans, which has ga'heu ee'''iai
currency at the present time. affecting even Gus
tom house officials. is declared TO De erroneous ny
authorities on international law here who declare
ina, the attitude OF this Government IL today as
IT has always been to adhere TO the policy iad DOWN
hv Thomas jefferson in his identical notes to Great
Britain and France on May 10. 1888 and reiterated
constantly In the last 100 years. Mr. Jefferson "fo'"
our citizens have always been free to max, Vcni
and export arms II Is the constant occupi'IU an
ings the only means perhaps OF their sups!stehCt'
because war exists In foregn ana niItanI c"n o
trias In which we have no concern. WOULD sCaTcelN
be expected 1t would be hard in principle ana
impossible in practce
At the same tire Secretary Hamilton In a Treas
MY circular Informed customs officials that che
purchasing within and exporting from the United
states. by way Of merchandise. articles commonly
called contrahand being generally Warlikc instru-
ments and military stores. IL free to all the parties
at war and is not to be interfered with
Secretary Seward Informed Minister Romero in
ISG2 that Transportation Of arms or money from "e
United States either Of the hclgerents IN Mexico
Is moi a breach ~ neutrality. either under ntcrna-
.ional law or the municipal law Of the United
States" and Mexico acquicsccd in the decision.
Secretary Fish in 1871 TO the Spanish Govern
mcnt follows:
The expectation of arms and munitions OF war II
imp1rtant part OF the commerce of IN" ul,'d
States In time OF war Their Govcrhmtnt VIII eN *,
The risks legally incident to II. No sucn cAp-ct
ton however can be INDUCED In for time 81
nroYound peace and Naturalization viii tc askrt
OF any nation which may unnecessarily or Illegally
obstTuct such trade.
This instruction precisely fits the present siiua-
ton in cuba. where peace is presumed to exist,
Spain not having declared a state "i ""'''H''''''
in the island.
Minister Muruaga has recently Informed this Gov
eminent that torpodo-boat Is being lifted out IN
the United States for West Indian waters and asked
that it's departure be- prevented II this boat tries
to leave the United States In completed condition
It may be seized. neutral government j. bound
70 restrain the fitting sailing Of armed crnls-
c~s Of lc.ligcrcn;s a., determined In tie Alabama
case. but in 1879 Secretary Eyaris ruled IN reply
to an inquiry from Secretary Sherman. that %"
torpedo launch. in i've sections ron.y TO sct w
though contrabsnd OF war. may hc cxror'ei from
There is held to bc 10 warrant IN international
law or In the statutes TO permit American customs
officials ~ stop the sailing % vessels carrying arms
or powder as merchandise although no power can
he cxcrted 20 prevent such articles being seized by
the officials 81 foreign governments within their
own Jurisdictions n Spain soizcs arin' intended for
the rebels after they reach Spanish territory that
Is another matter but Spanlsrds cannot expect 20
prevent shrments from United states porte.
Word was received here yesterday by firm
engaged In the cuban sugar trade. from an agent
Of theirs in cuba. that the rebellion was rapidly
spreading on the island. and that II Vas believed
that "A large number % men employed on n" sugar
plantations would quit work and join The insurgcnt
forces by June. The trade with cuba has ALREADY
been affected by the outbreai.
The arms which formed par - IA" cargo II
the Atlas Line steamer Al"uc eLen she sailed
from here yesterday we're purchased FOR III Co
lombian Government by tie Colombian Consul
General In this city. CiimacD Caileron. ana Win
be sent to BogOta when the Acne arrives at
Savania. The Spanish Consul General IN ms ,iiy
thought that they might Doe destined FOR cuba. but
there moved % be nothing 20 warrant that belief,
20 the Alcne sailed without hadrance.