The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-04-06
THE WEST INDIES.
America Needs a Naval Base Near
Porto Rico.

In the event of war between the United
States and Spain the attitude of the
governments of the islands of the West
Indies in the vicinity of Cuba and Porto
Rico will by virtue of their situation De
of immense Importance to the hostiie ma
tons Special attention is being PAID py
the authorities to the positions which
will be assumed by Haiti and San DO
mingo. These two republics snare the
island lying between Cuba and Porto
Rico and both would make admirable
bases OF supplies for vessels of the
United States.
Haiti, through her minister mere, M.
ST Leger has informed the State De-
partment of her intention to remain en-
tirely neutral. San Domingo, on the
other hand, has intimated 10 this Gov
eminent that her wishes lie with the
American people, and she may make
public acknowledgment to the world OF
her desire to aid the United States IN
every way possible, even to her own cost
by parting with one of her naval YES
sells.
In the event of war the naval authorl-
ties would undoubtedly seize point in
the West Indies, and employ il as base
OF operations against Porto Rico. This
could be done with the consent OF san
Domingo, but that government would
probably object, at least on the surface,
to such action, in order to prevent her
self from liability growing out of viola
ton of neutrality.
Anticipating that American men-of-war
cruising against Porto Rico will need
coal instructions were sent some days
ago to the American consul at st. Thomas
directing him To purchase as much btu
minous coal at that point as his discre-
ton dictated This coal is now the prop
erty Of the United States and cannot
! therefore be obtained by Spanish vessels.
| The authorities are confident mat Den
mark will not consider that she Is violat-
! ing her neutral obligations by permitting
American vessels TO get their own coal
| In order To prevent any protest it Is pro-
| posed to have a number of lighters take
| the coal out to American men-of-war Ii
| necessary.
The authorities deeply regret the action
| of the Senate in rejecting at this time thf
| proposition 10 purchase the Danish Yves,
| Indies. as they say ii may have an I'M
portant bearing upon the relations be
| tween the United States and Denmark in
| the event Of war. Naturally Spain Is try
| ing to work up a sentiment against the
United States. and it is expected she vii
| use the St. Thomas matter as the basis
! OF her iRsinuatiUnS,
| Confident that Great Britain will re
! main neutral, the authorities are making
no attempt to purchase coal in Jamaica
| II has been decided to abandon the effor
/ to establish coaling stations on SwaI
and Navassa Islands. In fact, an attach'
| of the Haitian legation said today tina
| Haiti might object to the use of Navass;
| Island as cualing station He said tina
| Haiti had a prior claim to the island
and that if the United States were to US
| II as a coalinE station his Governmeu
might be liable to Spain for damages
on the other hand, IT is contended BY tn
| authorities that Navassa is guanO Is
land is owned by an American corpora
ton. and is therefore the property Of tn
| United States.