The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-24
TRIP OF THE
MONTEREY
Coal Problem Most Diff
cult to Solve.
COLLIER FROM HAWAII
Plans For the Safe Crossing Of the
Pacific Ocean.
CAPTAIN LEUTz WILL COMMAND.

Washington, May 4.-Naval ofYicisls
have calculated to their entire satisfac-
tion the possibility of getting the Mon
terey safely across the Pacific to Ad-
miral Dewey's squadron at Manila. The
principal difficulty in making such a trip
as this II the small coal capacity OF ves-
sells OF the Monterey type. She carries
normally 200 tons OF coal In her bunkers.
which at her most economical rate OF
steaming would take her about 800 miles
less than the distance from San Fran
tisco TO Honolulu. In an emergency such
as now exists IL may be possible to store
q great deal Of coal on the main deck
Being placed In the passageways and
open spaces OF the superstructure OF the
vessel, the great beam of the Monterey
would permit 100 tons OF coal to be car
ried In addition to that in the bunkers
without in the least endangerinz the
stability of the ship. or rislxing the loss
Of the coal by being washed overheard.
At her economical speed of 100 knots per
day this coal would last her IL days and
carry her $500 knots.
Owing to the carefully laid plans Of the
navy department the Monterey will be
knots without an opportunity to coal.
The ship will take a southerly course
after leaving Honolulu In company with
steam collier. The South seas are full
of islands. as soon as Hawaii has been
left 1000 miles behind. and In the shell
tered harbors Of these II should be very
easy for the Monterey to lie alongside
her collier and coal through her SUPER
structure. 1t would not be surprising II
one OF the harbors chosen for such a
transfer was In the Caroline islands.
another Spanish possession In the South
seas. for by 30 doing there could be no
possible complaint OF breach OF neu-
trality laws on the part of any neutral
nation.
From the Caroiines to the Philippines
the way Is easy. and under the program
arranged there IL no probabilit Of fall
ure In the attempt to get the Monterey
safely across the Pacific. II the Mon
terey proceeded steadily at her eco
nomical speed she should reach the
Philippines in SIN days from SanFran-
CISCO She will lose several days In coal
Ing en- route, but on the other hand she
may make up this difference by steam
Ing at greater speed II circumstances
favor the easy recoalins of the ship.
The Spanish squadron at Cadiz, which
reports from Spain state is going TO the
philippines, Is capable Of higher speed
than the Monterey and may not have
much difficulty in obtaining the neces-
sary coal to make the trip. SO that even
though the distance be longer on the
eastward trip there are possibilities of
most interesting race by the hostile
ships. The naval orders announce the
assignment to command the Monterey
OF Captain Eugene II. Leutz, lately In
command Of the Alert.
In anticipation OF the early occupation
OF the Philippines. the treasury depart
ment has begun the formulation of regu-
lations and a scheme Of customs tariffs
which Will be collected by the military
authorities and turned into the treasury
OF the United States as q military con-
tribuucn." That the president has au-
thority to collect the Philippine revenues
under existing conditions Is not matter
OF doubt. It was several times done
during the last war with Mexico, and
the authority Of the government in the
premises was sustained by decisions of