New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-20

belligerent nations 10 prevent neutral trade in
coal
The Geneva Award and the three rules
tany left this question undecided In the
American case stress was laid upon the fact
that Partially was shown to Confederate crus-
ers In coaling privileges in British ports. and
that Federal men-of-war We're not equally
Favored. II was asserted that this favoritism
was so marked as 10 constitute breach OF neu-
trality and 10 confirm the charge that those
ports were converted into a base Of hostile
operations against the United States. The arbi-
traitors in their award not influenced by
the single fact that the privateers were allowed
10 coal at British ports: nor is il probable that
in the event Of war any effort would be made
to exclude the warships Of either Spain the
United States from coaling privileges In the
same harbors. The requirements of neutrality,
If the presidents followed. would be
swered IL the begerents were dealt with on
equal terms and II there were no excessive sup
plies OF coal or provisions to either side. The
practice Of limiting supplies to the necessities
OF voyage TO the nearest port under the ships
flag would naturally he followed.
If It he no violation Of neutrality. or OF the
law OF nations, as the British and American
diplomatists have always held. TO sell arms and
of coal cannot be prohibited Illegal The
arms and munitions are however. clearly con-
traband OF war. while coal is not. unless II can
he directly connected with the special supply Of
ships OF war when il is captured on the high
seas cruiser in a neutral port may obtain
enough coal 10 reach her nearest destination I'M
der her own flag but she cannot receive arms
nor recruit her crew. Arms and ammunition
may be freely obtained by purchase IN a neu-
trail country but they can only be delivered by
neutral ships under risk OF capture and con-
hscation. Similar contracts may be made for
the delivery OF coal but there is less certainty
respecting tho condemnation OF the cargoes as
contraband It is a question which Will be
raised afresh whenever there is a naval war OF
the first importance All that was decided re-
spccting coal in the Geneva arbitration was the
point that no belligerent can be treated with
marked favoritism and allowed to convert neu-
trial ports into a permanent, base Of supplies.
ENGLAND's IMPERIAL INTERESTS.
Whatever may be the commercial view OF the
coal question, it is evident that the imperial
interests Of the British Government are distinct
from the trading privilege Of selling cargoes 10
belliserents. In a naval war England VIII nave
the great advantage Of a chain Of fortified coal
ing stations encircling the globe. Her warships
a
Trustworthy coal supply under her flag
hostile navy would lack these coaling facilities
and be placed at a disadvantage in sea cam
paicn. Since her own ships always have
coal close at hand England will naturally de-
sire 70 restrict coal supply to bellgerents in
neutral ports and to class coal as war ma
terial and consequently. contraband. This view
OF the question will strengthen her own posi-
ton as a naval power in command of the seas
By virtue OF her superior fleets and fortihed
coalng stations In actual warfare on her own
account II will he for her interest to exclude the
enemy so far a. possible from coaling privileges
at neutral ports, and also to remain Tree 10
seize as war material and contraband OF war
all coal found aAoat under neutral flag. con-
seouently. as a neutral in war between Spain
and the United States, her imperial policy
would he at variance with the commercial in
tcrcsts OF her own coal traders The tfend OF
q wound be in the direction Of restriction OF coal
ing privileges at neutral ports. and or the
classification Of coal as contraband OF war
Whatever might I've the temporary incon-
,.erience in wartime OF having Spanish vessels o.
ua- supplied with coal in small quantities at
british West Indian or English ports. or OF hav-
ING tho stocks in Cuban ports renewed from col
,;e-s under neutral flag at least until block
ola ,yas established the United States would be
greatly embarrassed after the war. II II were
committed 70 the policy OF regarding coal as
oo,,raband and Of excluding belligerents from
,.s o,., norris when they enter them for coaling
-,,rnoeas The old-tne principle OF free sale Tor
,e ammunition. coal and all the materials OF
,varis a natural and suitable policy for an unas-
,ross,ve country ike the United States with It's
zoe, stretches OF seaboard its enormous stocks OF
coal and it's constantly increasing commercial
t.nrests England with her word-enclrclng
chalh % 0' !. y. +.
policy.
l,-rrprVCr OV THE CANAL BILLS