The San Francisco call., 1898-04-17
Naval Men Anxious That Supplies for Cuba and
 Porto Rico Cease.
Once the War Starts the Block ading Vessels Will Shut
 Out All Transports.
President Mckinley Will Not Act However,, Until Duly Author
 ized by Congress.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

NEW YORK, April 16.-A Washing ton special to the Herald says: Presi- dent Mckinley is serious considering the advisabilit of taking action which will prevent vessels carrying supplies to Cuba and Porto Rico. Information which has been officially received at the State Department shows that Spain is purchasing large quantities of pro- visions and coal and is shipping them into Havana and San Juan Porto Rico, which will be blockaded by the Ameri- can squadrons In the event of war;
 Furthermore, the authorities have been advised that the Spanish author ities in Havana and Porto Rico are working night and day on the harbor Notifications, and mounting new bat terieS, composed of modern guns. In addition submarine mines are being planted and every effort is being made to give the American fleet warm re- ception upon it's arrival on a hostile mission in Cuban and Porto Rican waters.
 Recognizing that the most effective way of reducing Havana and San Juan will be by means of blockading and by starvation which will follow among the soldiers of Spain, l understand that an effort is being made by the Navy De- partment to have the President take steps which will result in putting a stop to the dispatch of supplies from the United States to the Spanish West Indies.
 It is appreciated that 1t will be inn possible for Spain to send food or other supplies from Spain to her col onies, for the reason that transports ,-eA6 hxr blockade vessels which will surround Cuba, even if they failed to meet an American cruiser on the high seas.
 The department plan of campaign against Havana will depend much upon the condition of the climate in the is land when hostilities commence. If the rainy season is at its height and yellow fever is rampant, 1t is proba- ble that work, for some time at least, will be confined to a blockade. The army will be rushed into the island as soon as conditions are suitable to make an attack. So far as Porto Rico is concerned, it is recognized that there will have to be army and navy CO., operation there, for the reason that Spain has quite a large military force on that island
 There is considerable doubt as to whether the President can, under the law, as it now stands, forbid the ex- portation of supplies to Cuba and Porto Rico When war commences, of course, an embargo will follow, but whether he can take such action in time of peace is question which the law of- ficials of the Government will serious ly study before taking action.
 That there may be no delay whatever about the matter Senator Hawley in- troduced in the Senate the resolution authorizing the President to stop the exportation of coal. This is only step, however. in the direction which the naval authorities would like to go. Besides coal it is desired to stop ship ment of all kinds of provisions and munitions of war. It is said that the President considers that the wisest plan is to secure legislation on the sub- ject. When this has been done, then he will take such action as Congress authorizes