The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-19
G||RNER|NG The GOAL
So That Spain Can Get None
in the West Indies
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII
May be Effected as a Matter
of SeIf-DefenSe.
OF HAWAII

New York. April 1S.-In directing her
colonies to regard coal as contraband of
war in the event of hostilities between
the United States and Spain, Great Brit
ain has taken action. administration Of
6cials say. in line with the wishes of the
president and naval authorities. says the
washington correspondent Of the Herald
Pressure will be exerted upon France,
Hayti and San Domingo to accomplish
the same result, and some attention is be-
ing given by the state department to
! South American countries with view TO
! securing from them a declaration of the
contraband character of coal. as well as
an announced determination on their part
not TO sell either to Spanish or American
men-of-war a supply of fuel greater than
that necessary TO enable the belIigerent
vessel to steam to the next home port.
So far as the Danish West Indies are
| concerned, the authorities have purchased
in their ports all the coal that it is pos
sible to secure. With coal a declared con-
traband of war; administration officials
and naval experts say it will be impos-
sible for Spanish vessels to operate in the
West Indies or in the Pacific, and, as
result, the chances of success for Ameri-
can arms will be UNNECESSARILY enhanced
WHERE THE SHOE WILL PINCH.
Great BritaIn's declaration of the con-
traband character of coal will affect the
United States at only one point-in the
far east. The United States now has at
Hong Kong a fleet Of six vessels-the
cruisers Baltimore, Olympia, Raleigh and
Boston, and the gunboats Concord and
Petrel-and these ships are awaiting the
word to rush to Manila If the fortifca-
tons of the Philippines should stand off
the American fleet for any length of time
the operations of the vessels would be
greatly embarrassed, for, by Englands
declaration, her colonists will be allowed
to sell to either belligerents a supply suf-
ficient only to take him to his home port.
Approaching the position assumed by
the British government, Commander
Dewey, acting under instructions from
Secretary Long, has purchased a large
quantity of coal and has stored it on board
two GOLFERS which will accompany his
fleet to the Philippines. Extended oper-
atoms would necessitate a renewal of the
supply, and the central position of Hawaii
is pointed to by experts, who want it
for naval base.
HOW TO SHUT SPAIN OUT.
Hawaii is 1000 miles from the Philip
pines. Her position in the family of ma
tions would compel her observe strict neu-
trality and not to favor one belligerent
more than another, but her annexation TO
the United States. it is pointed out, would
result in placing supplies for the Asiatic
squadron 1000 miles nearer to the vessels !
than would be the case if coal, munitions {
Of wara, etc, had TO be shipped from the /
United States. 1t is also pointed out that /
Hawaii will find it necessary to sell coal /
to a Spanish vessel coming in at Honolulu |
sufficient to take it portion of the way |
to its next home port, just as she would |
sell coal to an American ship.
In the event that coal is declared con- !
traband of war by France, Hayti and |
San Domingo naval authorities say it viii |
be impossible for Spanish vessels to Sc
cure fuel in the West Indies.
MEETING TRICK WITH TRICK.
In view of SPANS efforts to collect coal
at Havana and San Juan, no doubt exists
in political circles that the neval plan
for the Spanish government contemplates
the dispatch of the fleet to western wa
tiers.
1t is officially admitted that this gov
eminent has determined not to permit
American coal to be taken to the Cape
Verde Islands on board the British tramp
steamship Hampstead, and that negotia-
tons are under way for the sale of that
vessel and her cargo to the United States.
The Hampstead, although she was to have
sailed Saturday, has not gone and her
will probably be announced.
1t is admitted by officials that they are
trying to meet trick with trick. There
is but a small lamount of coal at ST. Vim
cent and it would be necessary for the
Spanish fleet to go to some other point
for fuel within a short time, as the supply
at Cape Verde cannot last any length Of
time. 1t was 10 help the fleet now gath
cred at that point that the Hampstead
was ordered to proceed to Cape Verde
after purchasing a supply at Lambert's
Point. The United States Is in great need
Of golfers. especially one already loaded
with coal, and il would, therefor, be only
too glad to take from Spain the vessel
and her cargo and use her for offensive
purposes against her first employer.
SPANS PROMISES TO PAY.
Official information received by the au-
thorities also indicates that there IS but
a small quantity OF coal at the Canary
Islands. A desperate effort is being made
by Spain to ship supplies TO that point and
also to Cape Verde which is evidently to
be the anchorage of the feet until war
breaks out. 1t is impossible for Spain to
procure coal in England. because OF the
strike now in progress IN the coal mines.
and also because the English coal deal {
Frs refuse TO receive promises 10 pay. and
There arc three conditions:
When the blood is poor;
When more flesh is needed;