The herald., 1898-06-30
cAMARA,s COMEDY
His Trip to Port Said Looked Upon ~
q Mere Blu6.


Tribune from London says:
Admiral Camara's voyage to Port Said
has been regarded by naval experts here az
theatrical device for inducing Spanish
people to believe that the Madrid govern
mcnt is not torpid but is capable OF doing
something. They have considered it incerd-
ible that he should have serious Intentions
of going to Manila where he could only mr.
rive without coal and unprepared to meet
Dewey with fleet well supplied and heavi-
ly reinforced from San Francisco. The only
theory on which SO foolhardy a plan
could be explained would be a secret tn
trigue between Germany ard Spain BY
which their fleets might act together. and
this supposition exceeds the bounds Of cred
Utility. mysterious as the German Emper-
or's Interior purpose in the Philippines may
be. The prompt announcement from Wash
ington that an American feet Is preparing
10 sail for Spain is regarded In naval circles
here as a convenient pretext for the recall
of Camara's squadron to home waters after
grotesque naval promenade through the
Mediterranean.
The question whether Camara will be al
lowed to pass through the Suez canal Is
eagerly discussed here. There is nothing In
that stands In his way, and the tolls, while
heavy, can be paid to the Suez Company by
financial arrangements in Paris. Yet Lord
Cromer could undoubtedly prevent the pas
sage of the fleet If he was ordered to do 1t
from London. There would be various
methods of harassing Camara and obstruct-
ing the progress of his squadron, for Lord
Cromer's will is supreme in Egypt. The
he fpo he v.ar
don government were to suggest the pro-
priety of such action, but 1t is impossible
for any one in London to find out whether
the American government really wants to
have Camara's fleet stopped, and unless that
fact be established he may go on to Manila
through the canal If he desires to DO SO.
The feeling among naval men here is that
the American government would do better
to interpose no obstacles to his progress,
since II he perseveres he will run short OF
coal, break down on the way and be In no
condition for fighting Dewey. Meanwhile
the American fleet will be at liberty to set
out for Spanish ports and bring the war 10
a close. There is no evidence that the for
eign office has received any intimation that
the American government wants to have
the Spanish fleet stopped. At any rate
GdIndTd cdu Ohiy iaNc cnoueh ~SeA ~ e<%-HS
him back to Cartagena. His maneuvers
are not regarded here with seriousness, but
are pronounced an unexpected bit Of conf
cal by-play in the drama OF war.
What promotes more reflection here IL the
production of artificial interest Of various
kinds for justifying the meddlesome activ-
ity of the German admiral at Manila by the
discovery of some effective substitute for
the murdered missionaries who were SO
useful at Kiao Chau. &
The stoppage Of Camara's feet would
be an awkward precedent If the Americana
themselves should want to use the Sues
canal The British government Will UNI
doubtedly be pleased II no pressure be
brought to bear upon 1t for retarding the
Of the squadron. and Il 1t BE- at &
liberty to enforce neutrality by ordinary
The British government has been useful
to America in many ways during the prem
ent war, but It has not given Spain any
cause for offense and has been steadily
England's Interior policies a
any future naval war. It has rendered II
more difficult than ever before for any A8l@
ligerent to obtain coal In neutral ports t((4
Is to their interest. It will not likely ~ 1<6
control over Egypt In such q way ~ ~
close the suex canal agalnst war yesso) ~
canal open e all neets and aasg 4 ~ 4!
British interest," 81 S' *. 3 SIX Z 81 +