The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-19
Is Coal Supply For Vessels of the
Two COntending Nations.
UNCLE SAM'S ADVANTAGE
HAS SPAIN ON THE HIP IN THIS
RESPECT.
Great Britain's Instructions Directing
Her Colonies to Regard Coal as
Contraband of War Is Worth More
to Us Than a Naval Victory at Sea
Reasons For Such Conclusions.

New York, April 1S.-In directing her
colonies to regard coal AS contraband
of war in the event of hostilities be-
tween the United States and Spain.
Great Britain has taken action, ad-
ministration officials say, in line with
the wishes of the president and naval
authorities, says the Washington cor
respondent of the Herald
Pressure will be exerted upon
France. Hayti and San Domingo to ac-
complish the same result, and some
attention is being given by the state
department to South American coun-
tries, with a view to securing from
them declaration of the contraband
character of coal, as we'll as an an
nounced determination on their part
not to sell either to Spain or American
men-of-war a supply of fuel greater
than that necessary to enable the bel
hgerent vessel to steam to the next
home port.
So far as the Danish West Indies are
concerned, the authorities have pur-
chased in their ports all the coal that
1t is possible to secure. With coal a
declared contraband of war, admins
tration officials and naval experts say
il will be impossible for Spanish yes
sells to operate in the West Indies or
chances of success for American arms
would be Immediately enhanced.
IN THE FAR EAST.
Great Britain's declaration of the
contraband character of coal will af-
feet 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, Boston, and the
gunboats Concord and Petrel-and
these ships are awaiting the word to
rush to Manila.
If the Notifications at the Philip
pines should stand off the American
fleet for any length of time. the OPP |
of the vessels would be great |
ly embarrassed, for, by England's de- |
her colonists will be |
allowed to sell to either belligerents a |
supply sufficient only to take them to |
their home port.
Approaching the position assumed |
by the British government, Command |
er Dewey, acting under instructions |
from Secretary Long, has purchased |
a large quantity of coal and has stor-
ed ii on board two GOLFERS, which will /
accompany his fleet to the Philippines.
Extended operations would necessi-
tate a. renewal of the supply, and the
central position of Hawaii is pointed |
TO by naval experts, who want it for
a naval base.
Hawaii is 1000 miles from the Phil
ppines. Her position in the family of
nations would compel her to observe
strict neutrality and not to favor one
Oelligerent more than another, but her
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 war,
etc. had to be shipped from the Unit
I'd States. It 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 a pOr-
ion of the way to it's next home port,
lust as she would sell coal to an Amer
can ship
In the event that coal is declared
,ontraband of war by France, Hayti
md San Domingo. naval authorities
Jay it will be impossible for Spanish
-essels to secure fuel in the West In
lies.
Official information has reached the
tate department, as The Herald an
bounced this morning. that Spain has
,een shipping large quantities of coal
nd provisions into Havana and San
uan, and the president is contemplate
ng action which will prevent any fur
her supplies from being exported from
his country.