The record-union., 1898-04-19

ndtlOnS W0uiQ cOnpSf ner TO observe
strict neutrality and not to favor one
belligerent more than another, but her
annexation 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 United
States 1t is also pointed out that Ha-
wall will find it necessary to sell coal to
Spanish vessel coming in at Honolulu
sufficient to take it portion of the
way to its next home port, just as she
would sell coal to an American ship.
In the event that coal is declared
contra band of war by France. Hayti
and San Domingo, naval authorities
say it will be impossible for Spanish
vessels to secure fuel in the West
Indies.
Official information has reached the
State Department, as the Herald" an
nounced this morning, that Spain has
been shipping large quantities of coal
and provisions into Havana and San
Juan. and the President is contempla-
ting action which will prevent any fur
ther supplies from being exported from
this country
Examinations made of the diplomatic
correspondence on file in the State De-
partment shows that President Lin
coin directed his Secretary of the
Treasury in April, 1862 to prohibit the
shipment of coal to Southern ports.
These instructions were issued during
war, and the action was subsequently
legalized by Act of Congress, but the
authorities have no doubt that Con-
gress would approve similar. action at
this time by President Mckinley.
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, it will
| be possible for American cruisers to
seize vessels carrying it to Spanish pos
sessions. The Canary Islands will be
admittedly Spanish base of opera
tions. and it will be the effort of this
| Government to blockade them and
seize any vessels which may try to
bring contraband from any other coun-
try to them This will be especially the
case with Cuba and Porto Rico.
SHUTTING OFF SPANS SUPPLY.
| NEW YORK, April 1S.-A dispatch to
the Herald" from Washington says:
! 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 con-
| templates the dispatch of the fleet to
Western waters.
1t is officially admitted that this Gov
| ernment has determined not to permit
American coal to be taken to the Cape
Verde Islands on board the British
tramp steamer Hampstead, and that
negotiations are under way for the
sale of that vessel and her cargo to the
United States. The Hampstead, al
though she was to have sailed Satur-
day. has not gone, and her purchase
will probably be announced.
1t is admitted by officials that they
are trying to meet trick with trick.
There is but a small amount of coal
at ST. Vincent, and it would be neces-
sary for the Spanish fleet to go to some
other point for fuel within short
time as the supply at Cape Verde can
not last any length Of time. 1t was to
help the fleet now gathered at that
point that the Hampstead was ordered
to proceed to Cape Verde after pur-
chasing a supply at. Lambert's Point.
The United States is in great need OF
Golfers. especially one loaded with 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. .1.
Official information received by the
authorities also indicates that there IS
but a small quantity of coal at the
Canary Islands. A desperate effort Is
being made by Spain to ship supplies
to that point, and also to Cape VERDE,
which is evidently to- be the anchorage
of the fleet until war, breaks out 1t
is impossible for Spain to procure coal
in ENGLAND because of the strike now
in progress in the, mines, and because
the English coal dealers refuse TO re-
ceive promises to pay, and VIII only
sell to the Madrid Government for CASH
It is known that Spain has been
floating considerable paper in Contl-
mental Europe, but she has been un-
able to force any of it on the English
merchants. Whether Spain pays cash
for goods purchased in the united
States is not known, but it is believed
that what little money she has she Is
spending for protection and the coal
she is sending to Havana.
A dispatch to the, Herald from st.
Vincent Cape Verde Islands, says: The
Spanish cruisers Infanta Maria Ieresa
and Cristobal Colon are filling their
coal bunkers here. The supply is run
ming, short It is understood that 2OOO
tons will be brought here in few
days. probably from the United STATES
where it is known orders have peen
placed. Spanish officials bought olo
tons from local dealers on April 'th'
and Immediately made a contract 1or
1000 tons additional, which has not
arrived.
TORPEDO BOAT SOMERS.