The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-19
C~ONTRABANO OF WAR.
spain Will he Embarrassed by Being
Unable to Get Coal.

S"oobS w wv So"'
New York, April 1s.-In directing her
colonies TO regard coal as c~ontraband OF
war in the event of hostilities between
the United States and Spain, Great
Britain has taken action, the admins
tration officials say, in line with the
wishes OF the president and naval au-
thorities. says the Washington CORE
spondent OF the Herald.
Pressure Will be exerted upon France,
Hayti 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 c~ontraband character OF cea as
well as an announcement of a deesr-
mination on their part not to sell either
to Spanish or American men-of-war a
supply OF coal greater than that neces-
sary to enable the belligerent vessel to
steam to the next home port.
So far as the Danish West Indies are
concerned, the authorities have pur-
chased In their ports all the coal that IL
is possible to secure. With coal a de-
clared contraband of war. administra-
ton officials and naval experts say IL
will be impossible for Spanish vessels to
operate In the West Indies or in the
Pacific, and. as a result. the chances of
success for American arms would be
immeasurably enhanced. Great Brit
ain > uttldTdtloH VI the jill Ddfu
character of coal will affect the United
States at only n 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 the gunboats Concord and Pc
ireland these ships are awaiting the
word to rush to Manila.
If the fertilization of the Philippines
should stand off the American feet for
any length of time. the operations of
the vessels would be greatly embar-
raised. for. by England's declaration,
her colonists will be only allowed to sell
to either belligerent a supply only suf-
ficient to take him to his home port.
Approaching the position assumed by
the British government. Commander
Dewey, acting under instruction. from
Secretary Long. has purchased a large
quantity of coal and mas stored II on
board two Golfers. which will accom-
pany the fleet TO the Philippines. Elk
ended operations would necessitate a
renewal of the supply. and the central
position OF Hawaii Is pointed to by naval
experts. who want it, for a naval base
Hawaii Is 1000 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, II IL pointed
III NVaAd 80 W. ~ -.
the Asiatic squadron 1000 miles nearer
to the vessels han would be the case
IL coal, munitions OF war. etc. had to bs
shipped from the United States. 1t II
also pointed out that Hawaii will find 4
necessary to sell coal to a Spanish YES
sci coming i'm at Honolulu sufficient Il
take II a portion of the way to its mex
home port, Just as she would sell coal e
an American ship.
In the event that coal is declared con
traband OF war by France Hayti AM
San Domingo, naval authorities say J
/ will be impossible for Spanish vessels 4
secure fuel In the West Indies
Official information has reached tn
, state department. as the Herald an
; nounced this morning. that spain ma
been shipping large quantities OF Goa
, and provisions TO Havana and San Jual
and h president is contemplating &C
: ton which will prevent any further sup
: plies from being exported from thi
: country. Examination made of the dip
: Tomato correspondence on file I'm tn
|, state department shows that Presiden
Lincoln directed his secretary OF IN
I, treasury. In April. 1862. TO prohibit tn
: sbipment of coal to southern ports
. These Instructions were issued durin
!, the war. and the action was subs'
auentiy legalized by act OF congress-. bu
the authorities have nc doubt that cor
gress would approve similar action 9
this time by President Mckinley.
Strong representations have bee
' made to the president by secretar
= Long and naval experts to get him
:. instruct the secretary of the treasur
10 decline 20 grant c~learances TO shin
p carving provisions and Goa to SPANS
0 ports. With coal c~ontrabsnd of war.
m will be possible for American cruiser
to seize vessels carrying IL 10 SPANS