The evening times., 1898-04-18
SPAIN IN NEED OF COAL.
She VIII Have Difficulty I'm GDtafr-
ing 1t ON This Continent.


In view of Spain's efforts to collect coal
at Havana and San Juan, no doubt exists
in political circles that the naval plan for
the Spanish government contemplates the
dispatch of the feet to Western waters.
1t was officially admitted tonight that
this Government had determined not to
permit American coal to be taken to the
Cape Verde Islands on board the British
tramp steamship Hampstead. and that
negotiations were under way for the sale
of that vessel and her cargo to America.
The Hampstead. although she was TO
have sailed yesterday. has not gone. and
her purchase will probably be announced
today.
IL is admitted by officials that they are
trying 10 meet trick with trick. There
is but small amount of coal at st. VIM
cent and IL would be necessary for the
Spanish fleet To go to some other point
for fuel within a short time, as the sup
ply at Cape Verde cannot last any length
of time IL was TO help the fleet now ga n
cred at that point that the Hampstead
was ordered TO proceed to Cape Verde
after purchasing a supply at Lambert
Point. America is in great need of col
coal. and it would, therefore, be only too
glad to take from Spain the vessel and
her cargo and use her for offensive pur-
poses against her first employer
Official information received by the au-
thorities also indicates that there Is Dut
a small quantity of coal at the canary
Islands desperate enort Is being
made by Spain to ship supplies TO tnat
point and also to Cape Verde. which Is
he anchorage OF the
fleet until war breaks out. 1t Is impos7
sible for Spain to procure coal in Eng
land bcause of the strike now in prog
ress In the coal mines, and also because
the English coal dealers refuse to receive
promises to pay. and will only sell to the
Madrid government for cash
Ii is known that Spain has been float
ing considerable paper IN continental
Europe. but she has been unable TO
force any of IL on the English merchants
Whether Spain pays cash for goods pur-
chased in America is not known. but ii
IS believed that what little money she
has she Is spending for protection and
the coal she is sending to Havana.
In directing her colonies TO regard
coal as contraband OF war in the event
of hostilities between America and
Spain. Great Britain has taken action.
Administration officials say. In line with
the wishes of the President and naval
authorities.
Pressure will be exerted upon France
Haiti and San Domingo to accomplish
the same result. and some attention is
being given by the State Department to
South American countries with a 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 supply of fuel
greater than that necessary to enable
the bellgerent vessel 70 steam to the
next home port.
So far as the Danish West Indies are
concerned the authorities have pur-
chased in their pOr,s all the coal that II
is possible 10 secure. With coal de
ciared contraband of war. Administrator
officials and naval experts say IL viii be
impossible for Spanish vessels to Oper-
ate in the West Indies or in the Pacific.
and as result. the chances Of success
for American arms will be immeasurably
enhanced.
Great Britain-s declaration of the con-
traband character of coal will affect
America 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 Bos
ton, and gunboats Concord and Petrel-
and these ships are awaiting the word
to rush to Manila.
IL the fortihcations of the Philippines
should stand off the American feet for
any length Of time. the operations of the
vessels would be greatly embarrassed
for by England's declaration. her colo
nsts will be only allowed to sell to either
belligerent a supply sufficient to take him
to his home or port.
Approaching the position assumed by
the British government. Commodore Dew
ey. acting under Instructions from Sec
retary Long. has purchased large guam
tity Of coal and has stored it on board
two Golfers. which will accompany his
feet to the Philippines. extended opera
tiOns would necessitate renewal Of the
supply. and the central position of Ha-
waii is pointed 10 by naval experts who
want il for a naval base.
Hawaii is 100 miles from the Philip
pines. Her position in the family of ma
tiOnS would compel her to observe strict
neutrality and not TO favor one belliger-
ent more than another. but her anneXa-
ton TO the United States. il is pointed
out, would result in placing supplies for
the Asiatic squadron 2.G00 miles nearer
to the vessels than would be the case if
coal. munitions of war. etc. had 10 be
shipped from the United States. II is also
pointed out that Hawaii Will find il nee
esSary to sell coal TO a Spanish vessel
coming i'm at Honolulu sufficient to take
il a portion of the way to it's 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, Haiti and
San Domingo, naval authorities say il will
be impossible for Spanish vessels to Sc
cure fuel in the West Indies.
Official information has reached the
State Department that Spain has been
shipping large quantities of coal and
provisions into Havana and San Juan.
and the President is contemplating action
which will prevent any further supplies
from being exported from this country.
Examination made of the diplomatic
correspondence on file in the State De
partment shows that President Lincoln
directed his Secretary of the Treasury
in April. 1862 to prohibit the shipment of
coal TO Southern ports. These instrUC-
tions were issued during war, and the aC-
tion was substantially legalized by act
of Congress. but the authorities have no
doubt that Congress would approve sim
liar action at this time by President Nc
Kiney.
Strong representations have been made
to the President by Secretary Long and
naval experts To get him to instruct the
Secretary of the Treasury to decline to
grant clearances to ships carrying pro-
visions and coal to Spanish ports.
With coal contraband of war il will be
possible for American cruisers TO seize
vessels carrying it TO Spanish possessions.
The Canary Islands will be admittedly a
Spanish base of operations, and il will be [
the effort of this Government to blockade |
them and seize any vessels which may
try to bring contraband from any coun-
try to them. This will be especially the
case with Cuba and Porto Rico.