The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-10
AFTER WAR BEGINS.
No Battleships Can be Delivered by
Neutral Countries.

New York, March 10.-A dispatch to
the Tribune from London says
The stock market is less feverish, but
without any decided return of conf
dence in the American list The situa-
ton in America was regarded in the
street as more pacific since the with
drawal of the demand for the recall of
Gen Lee removed the most alarming
menace of war. National defence bills
are always considered in England as
peace measures, and this is the inter-
probation placed here on the vote of a
credit OF 80 millions. There is little
comment in the press on the prospects
" to America
The rumored purchase by Spain of
six WarshIps now in English and
French dock yards is repeated with a
series of denials from all the legations
interested. It is probable that the re-
fusal of these vessels has been OBJ
tanned, but that there is still some IN
certainty respecting their delivery.
Only two of them can be ready for sea
within month and completion of the r
naming four will require from three to
nine months The purchase OF these
vessels, if effected, will indicate Wheth-
er the Spanish government considers
war likely to occur within two or with
in nine months, for no ship that is fin
ished after the outbreak of the hOstil-
tiles can be delivered by any neutral
country. The Manchester Guardian in
Inmates that Mr.. Goschen may an
nounce the purchase of several of these
ships for England. The Spanish gov
eminent undoubtedly has money avail
able in London for buying war vessels,
if she can get them. United States ma
val agents will find few warships in
the European market for early delivery,
unless the Spanish options are given
up. The text OF the neutral acts passed
by parliament in 1890 as sequel to the
Alabama arbitration, provides explic-
ity for any emergency which may arise.
If either Spain or the United States
buys unfinished ships, the delivery,
arming and fitting out of such vessels
OF war after the outbreak of hOstili-
ties is prohibited. and they Will be for
feited to the British government. The
sale OF arms. ammunition and other
stores to a belligerent is not prohibit
ed, but they must not go out of port in
any Warship, hence it will be pract:ca-
bic for Spain to receive after the out
break of hOstilities guns and other war
material cOntraband of war which may
be ordered in time of peace and It is
probable that a portion OF the fund
now available in London for Spanish
use will be expended in contracts of
this kind.
sed by naval and diplomatic officers
relates to the coal supply of the bel
ngerents from neutral points.
During the war of 1870 large quanti-
ties of coal were exported from Eng
land to France. although Bismarck pro-
tested against il. If the same practice
were repeated, English coal could be
shipped to Havana for the use of the
Spanish fleet in time of war. moreover.
while it would be a breach of neutral
ity to convert Nassau, Kingston or
other British West Indian ports into
cOaling stations, for the Spanish fleet.
the opinion of some experts here is
that any belligerent ship entering neu-
trail waters can obtain sufficient coal to
carry her to the nearest harbOr under
her own flag. Coal is as essential as
powder or guns to naval warfare, but
the neutrality practice respecting it has
not been settled, even by the Geneva
award Havana is now mainly sup
piled with coal from England for naval
use but no unusual contracts have yet
been made for storing a great quaint
ty of it there, with view to the posi-
bic outbreak of hostiIitias-