The age-herald., 1898-04-23

No final and exhaustive definition of con- traband articles can be given. They are changing with the progress of invention. Some articles were formerly contraband which now are not, and the reverse is true.
 Each belligerent government is competent to determine what it will treat as contra band. It's prescription of contraband artl- cleS is conclusive. If such prescription should be made in outrageous disregard of international law or of treaty rights, neu- tral states affected would probably inter- pose.
 Neither belligerent can treat goods as contraband in violation of his treaty stipu- lations with a neutral public as regards the subjects of that power. Any one desiring to ship goods to a foreign port in neutral vessels would profitably consult any ex- isting treaties between Spain and the gov- ernment of that port.
 The belligerent right of capture as against a neutral exists only either in case of con- traband of war, or of any goods aboard, or a violation of an effective blockade and in other analogous cases where the conduct of the neutral justifies the belligerent in treat ing his property as enemy property If Spain adhere to the principle, free ships, free goods' as this government proposes to do, any contraband goods are subject to capture in such ships.
 No Positive Statement About Hawaii
 
 story that our government had arranged for the seizure of the Hawaiian islands and the establishment of coaling station in Hawaii failed to secure any positive state ment on the subject.
 There is good authority for believing that the story is exaggerated and that all that has been done is to provide for the estab- lishment of coaling depot and its ade- quate protection
 The naval officials feel every confidence in the ability of the Oregon and Marietta, not only to protect themselves from the Spanish gunboat Temarri, but to destroy that craft is she ever comes within range. The limitation of the blockade in Cuba to a certain part of the island was not off, fcially explained today but one plausible reason advanced for the governments ac- tion was that by refraining from establish ing a blockade over the eastern portion of the island now understood to be practi- cally in the control of the insurgents the way has been left open for them to freely receive all needed supplies and munitions of war.
 formal order was issued by the war department increasing the equipment of light batteries of artillery to six guns, six casons, one combined forge and battery wagon and 100 horses. The enforcement of this order will require 900 additional horses which the quartermasters department will purchase in Tennessee.
 Transportation of Soldiers
 For purposes of transporting the army to Cuba the quartermaster generals office has under consideration the question of charter of ships having the carrying ca- pacity of 50,000 men. No charters have, however, been closed.
 In the engineer and ordnance bureaus, work was Seing rushed with the greatest possible speed toward the completion of defensive projectiles and in the installa- io, of hje p11pG All fba aVaitabl9 mater ial in the way of guns and carriages are being untized and the officials express satisfaction at the results obtained in the short space of time at their disposal