The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-19
COAL is CONTRAnANp.
NavieS of Roth NATIONS VIII Re nj n
DisndvnntnEe.

NayieS of Roth NATIONS VIII he M m
Disadvantages.
New York, April ls.---ln directing he,
colonies to regard coal as contraband o
war in event OF hostilities between the
United States and Spain. Great Britain mas
taken action. administration circles say
IN line with the wishes of the president
and naval authorities. Pressure Will BIZ
brought on France, Hayti and San Do
mingo to accomplish the same result. and
some attention is being given by tho state
department to South American countries
with view to securing for them n declar-
as well as an announced determination on
their part not to sell either TO spanish
OF American men OF war more than nee
essary TO enable the belligcrcnt vessel TO
steam to the next home port, says the
Washington correspondent OF the Herald.
So far as the Danish West Indies are
concerned. the authorities have purchased
IN their ports all the coal that 1t is posi-
bic TO secure. With coal declared con.
traband OF war, administration officials
and naval experts say IL Will b. impossi-
West lnoiea aud az a result the chance
for the success of American arms VIII be
immoarusabiy enhanced.
Great Rrtains declaration OF the contra
band character or coal Will affect the
United States at only one paint--in the
Far East. The United States now has at
Hong Kong a feet OF six vessels uhe
cruisers Baltimore. Olympia. Raleigh and
the Boston and the gunboats Concord and
Petrol and these ships are awaiting the
word TO rush TO Manila.
If the fDrtlflcations o. the Philippines
should stand off the American fleet for any
length OF time, the operation OF the vcy-
sells would be greatly embarrassed, for
by England'3 declaration. her coloplsts will
be only allowed TO sell TO either bel
ligerent a supply sufficient TO take him TO
his home port
Approaching the position assumed by
the British government. Commodore Dewey.
acting under instructions from Secretary
Long. has purchased a large lusntity VI
coal and has stored II on board two col
Hers which viii accompany his 1eet to the
Philippines. Extended operations would
necessltate renewal CT the supply and the
position OF Hawaii is pointed 10 ny naval
experts who want 1t for a naval base.
In the event that coal is declared cor-
traband by France. Hayti and San DO
mingo, naval authorities say II would ps
impossible for Spanish vessels TO secure
fuel in the West Indies.
official information has reached tns
state department. the Herald announced
this morning. that Spain has been ship
ping large quantities OF coal and provi-
slons into Havana aud 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 d.
reetsd his gecrstsry Of the treasury IN
April 1862. to prohibit the shipment OF
coal to Southern ports These instrur-
tions were iss,ied during war and the
action was subsequently Isgalized By the
act cf congress, but the authorities have
10 doubt that congress would approve such
an act BY President Mckinley. With coal
coptrabsndof war. II viii be possible for
American cruisers TO seize vessels carrying
II 10 Spanish positions. The cansry islands
VIII be admittedly spanish base OF oper-
atoms. and II will he the effort OF this
government TO blockade them and seize any
vessels which may try TO bring contra
band from any country 10 them This
viii be especially the case with Cuba and
Porto Rico.
.Archbisbop Ireland Rstiesnt.