New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-29
CAMARA. COAL AND THE CANAL


Admiral Camala has reached the Suez Canal
with his redoubtahle Cadiz fleet But Will he
get through the canal? And will he get any
more coal there for his voyage TO the Antipodes!
These arc questions which have been aronsns
much interest in this country and III Great
Britain Perhaps they have in Spain. too
though there is more reason to think the span
iards have an idea the fleet is already through
and almost ready TO lombard Chicago or block
AIDE the port OF Denver. our special cable DIS
matches this morning tell Of the situation as II
IS. and Of public and official opinion where II
exists and counts for anything. These. win
the slightest reference to the principles of IN
ternational law. will serve TO make the case
entirely clear
Mr. Ford reminds US In his dispatch from
London ;hat there is nothing In law or In the
canal regulations 10 prevent the feet from go
ing through the canal. That is quite true. me
canal : an international highway. free TO all
who can pay the tolls and VIII obey the rules.
II would be possible to delay or TO stop the
fleet altogether IN some way or on some pre-
text, and the opinion prevails In London That
the British Government might do 50 II ms
country desired It. But there is no indication
that this country does desire II. 1t would prob
ably be quite satisfactory 10 this Government
for the fleet to go on and get smashed or cnpi-
urcd bv Admiral Dewey. or get out OF coal or
otherwise disabled IN the Indian Ocean. such
n disposition of affairs would not hurt US, ana
would materially promote the gaycty OF nations
The question Of coaling ~ another matter.
Under international law. warships IN distress
for lack OF coal may purchase enough AT a
neutral port to carry them back to the nearest
mort OF their own country That Is. Camara s
fleet could get enough nj Port Said 10 take II
back 10 Cartagcna But his fleet ls not in dis
,ress for want OF coal. 1t has plenty OF coal 10
take il back not only to Cartagena, but 10
Cadiz. II has 5000 tons. Therefore It Is not
entitled 10 get another pound M Port said, ana
the indications are that II will not get any.
Our Cairo correspondent telegraphs mat the
Egyptian Government -euphemism for British
Administrator has ordered the Governor OF Port
Said 10 refuse the Spanish demand, and orr
special cable dispatch from Port Said nils that
the Governor has told Admiral Camara that he
will not be permitted to take on any conl what
ever in Egyptian waters. and will. II necessary.
I've forcby prevented from doing so.
That IS as 1t should be- II IL In exact ac-
cordance with international law and with the
blgations OF neutrality which Great Britain
is so admirably observing For Admiral Ca
mara TO come steamiLe up to Port Said with
1000 tons Of coal In his bunkers and ask for
10000 tons more. and when that was courte-
ouslv hut firmly refused. to demand and in
sist upon being allowed 10 take AZ least $500
tons was-wc let us say It was character.
isticay Spanish. But It did not work, and
we do not think II will work as long as the
British Government retains its sovereignty and
Lord CrOmer Is is representative In the Land
Of the PharaohS. If the Cadz fleet wants 10
90 through the Sucz Canal II may do So But
il cannot so easily 20 through law and justice.