The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-19

Spain The vssse. and her cargo. and us,
employer.
offseial information received bv shs an.
ihorsties Also Indicates that there is mt
snsss quantity Of coal nj the Canary
issandis A desperate effors ia being ,nndn
ny spain 10 ship supplies TO that point. ana
also 20 Cape Verde. which il eyidenf.v to
Dc tae anchorage OF the fleet unsll war
nfeaAs our. IL Is impossible for Spain to
procure coai In England because OF ,ho
strike now IN progress III the coal unspea.
and because the English coal dealers re-
fase 10 receive promises 10 pay and viii
osasy sell 10 the Madrid governments FOR
cash. 49,
IL - known that Spain has been fioafinx
considerable paper in continental. Europe
but she has been unable 10 force any oe
Il on the English merchants Whether
Spain pays cash for goods purchased in
tss United States is not known. but II -
believed that what little money she has
she Is spending for protection and the coal
she Is sending to Havana.
So far as the Danish West Indies are
concerned. the authorities have purchased
IN taeir ports all the cssal that II il pos
sihie TO secure. With coal q declared con-
srahana OF war. administration officsAis
and naval experts say ii VII be impossible
fer Spanish vessels 10 operate in the Neox
Indies or the Pacific. and as a result, tho
chances OF success for American arms
would be UNNECESSARILY enhanced.
Great Britain's declaration os the con-
fraoand character OF coal viii affect the
United States at only one point--in the
far East. The United States new has az
Hengkong a iieet Of six vesses--the cruis-
eTs Baltimore, olympia. Ra.etgh and Hou.
ton and gun5oats Concord and Petrol and
these ships are awaiting the word to rush
20 Manila.
II the Notifications o. the Philippines
should stand off the American fleet for
any length OF time. the operations Of the
vessels would be Ereatly embarrassed. FOR.
by England's declaration. her colonies
VIII be only allowed TO sell TO either bel
iigerent a supply sufficient TO take him -
his home pert.
Approaching the position assumed By
the British government. Commander
Dewey. acting under instructions from
SECRETARY Long. has purchased large
quantity OF coal and stored Il on beard
two golfers. which viii accompany hin
fleet to the Philippines. Extended opera
tons would necess!tatc \ renewal OF the
supply. and the central position OF HAwsil
Is nosated to by naval experts who want
1t for naval base.
pines. Her position Ia the family OF No.
lions would compel her TO observe strict
neutrality, and not to favor one he.iigee-
eat more than another. but her anna10e
ton to the United States. II Is pointed ou41
would result In placing supplies for thu
Asiatsc squadron Zoo mica nearer to thu
vessels than would be tho casa u coot
munitions OF war. ETC.. had to b sAippo4
from the United States. II II also pointed
out that Hawaii will md Il necessary to
sell coal 10 a Spanish vessel coming Ia It
Honolulu sufficient TO take II portion q
the way TO it's next home port, just -
she would sell coal to an American shlrI
In the event that coal IL declared cos~s
,raband OF war by France, Haytt and Can
Domingo. naval authorities say II viii ~
imoos&bie for Spanish vessels to secure
fuel in the West Indies.
Official Information has reached tho
state department.. as the Herald a.
ncunced this morning. that Spain has beon
shipping large quantities OF coal and Pr.
visions into Havana and San Juan. ard
the president In contemplating aetto0
which VIII prevent any further suppltoo
from being exported from this country.
Examination made OF tho diplomak1o
correspondence on file in the state depotes
ment shows that President Lincoln &l-
rected his secretary OF the treasury IN
April. lss2. TO prohibit the shipment e(
coal TO Southern ports These instruo-s
lions were issued during the war. and the
action was subsequently legnliSed BY cot
Of congress. but the authorities have ~
doubt that congress would approve sinh
.ar action at this time by President Nc
kiniey.
Strong representations have been Waao
TO the president by Secretary 1IOne 81
naval exports TO get hins to instruct -
secretary OF the treasury TO decline ~
grant cearances 10 ships carrying pr1s
visions and coal TO Spanish ports.
With coal contraband Of war. II viii -
possible for American cruisers to ao1no
vessels carrying II 10 Spanish posseaa1ena
The Canary islands VIII be admittedly =
Spanish base OF operations. and II Win ~
the effort OF this government 10 blocka1o
them and seize any vessels which may
try TO bring contraband from any ccnue
try TO them, This VIII Be especially ~
case with Cuba and Porto Rico.