The record-union., 1898-05-04

with Spain They will be used as col
lateral to secure the payment to the
United States of war indemnity. High
officials are of the opinion that none
of the Powers will seriously dispute
| our right to make such final DISPOSE
tion Of the islands as suits our purpose
in the enforcement of war claims
| against SPAIN and in any event this
Government will be prepared to contest
any point which may be raised on this
score
AS indicated in Secretary Longs re-
quest to-day for an emergency appro-
priation, the Government will take steps
fleet with provisions and other supplies,
including ammunition and coal. and TO
this end will dispatch at the earliest
possible moment sufficient number
Of ships to supply amply all possible
needs Of the Asiatic squadron These
supplies will be forwarded without
waiting a decision of the question as
to whether or not troops shall be sent
out to relieve the Commodore of the
necessity of policing Manila with the
men from his fleet One ship has been
secured already as a collier. 1t is said
to be much f1eeter vessel than those
usually employed, but it will take her
about three weeks to reach Manila. and
she may stop en- route at Honolulu 20
replenish her own coal supply from the
large accumulation held there by Ad-
miral Miller.
1t may be that the department, in
case of further need, will try to secure
more coal for the Philippine fleet from
a nearer and more cheaper source than
California. 1t is believed that there is
nothing in the neutrality laws that
prevents a merchant from shipping coal
to a belligerent Power. though a war
ship of such belligerent is restricted in
taking on such coal in the neutral port
OF course the merchant would make
the shipment at his own risk, for the
coal probably would be held to be con-
traband by the Spaniards. AS matters
stand after Admiral Dewey's success
there is no Spanish fleet left to seize
such a ship, so that it would be easy
to compensate the coal merchants for
the small risks incurred by shipping
coal to the American fleet at the Phil
ippines 1t is said at the Navy De-
partment that plenty of superior coal
can be secured in this manner in the
Asiatic ports at an average price OF
so per ton, while a very high grade
coal can be had in large quantities from
New South Wales at low figures How
ever. the navy shipment will not rely
upon any source outside of the first
shipment, but will start one steamer
from San Francisco as soon as she
can be loaded
Although without confirmation from
any official source, the naval officials
are disposed to attach some credit to
the statement coming from Paris that
at the last accounts from Manila the
American fleet was firing upon Corrc-
gidor Island. This island lies in the
outer entrance to the harbor of Manila,
and is about twenty-five miles below
the city. 1t is crowned by a lighthouse,
and has several modern guns in place.
While not a serious menace to the
American fle t so long as the latter lies
far above in the vicinity of the city, the
existence of the fort at place COM
manding his line of communication
could not be long tolerated by the Com
modore. for it would endanger any un-
armored ship seeking to reach the Meet
and in a measure would prevent sup
plies from coming in.