Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1898-05-14
SUEZ CANAL IS
OPEN TO wARSHIPS.

Since the receipt Of Wednesdays dis
patch, which referred to the possibility Of
Spain's sending g feet through the Suez
Canal for the purpose Of re-taking the
Philippines. considerable discussion has
arisen Is to the right to use the canal.
The following interview had with . high
official Of the State Department at Wash
ington by 9 New York Herald correspond
emit explains the matter clearly:
"If Spain desires to send Q feet to the
Philippines to attack Admiral Dewey's
forces. she is 81 perfect liberty TO send IL
through the Suez Canal.
"Of COURSE" he continued, 'the seri-
Gus question Of coal supply would greatly
harass her. but IL the American vessels
can fnd dealers willing to take the risk Of
violating the neutrality laws Of the nation
In which their coal piles are located, they
will probably be willing TO do the same
thing for the Spaniards, provided the lat
YER pay the necessary cash.
~ doubt very much II this Government
would direct Admiral Dewey's force TO
leave Manila and proceed 10 the Mediter.
rsnean for the purpose Of harassing Span.
ish commerce In that sea and Of attacking
Spanish ports which lie upon 10, bat II
would be possible for American m en.of.
war TO reach the Mediterranean through
the Suez Canal II they wsre ordered 10 do
so.
"There is Q great deal Of popular ig-
norance on this point. As Q matter Of
fact. the Suez Canal 10 open TO belligef-
ents.
1.-THE principal Of the naturalization Of
the Suez Canal was applied by the conven-
ton Of Oct. 40. 1888, which Was signed by
the six great powers. by Turkey, Spain
and The Netherlands. Strictly speaking,
their action does not bind the powers that
we're not parties to the convention, but az
nome is Of any importance except the
United States, and all have distinctly ac-
guessed in what was done, the principal
result Is much the same as il the whole
body OF civilized nations had formally ex-
pressed their adhesion 70 IL.
The convention declares that the canal
is 10 be open in time OF war, as well as In
time Of peace. 10 all ships, whether mer-
chantmen or vessels OF war. whether bel.
ligerent or neutral. but no acts OF hostility
are: to be committed either in the canal
itself or in the sea to 9 distance of three
miles from the end OF IL.
"The entrances are not TO be blockaded.
The stay OF b~elligerent vessels Of war or
their prizes within the ports st either end
Is NOT to exceed "a hours and belligerents
are not TO embark troops or munitions Of
war within the canal or it's ports.
"By using the Suez Canal, SPANS ves-
sells will be compelled 10 go only 1900
miles 70 reach Manila. The stesming ra-
dius of the Almirante Oquendo. viscaya
and InfantA Maria Teresa is 9,700 miles.
going at the rate OF ten knots. and they,
therefore, could 60 the entire distance
without recoaling. II necessary. they
could take ~oolliers along. None Of Com
modore Dewey's vessels has such . great
steaming radius, and II they should be
sent TO the Mediterranean they would have
to take colliers along and might be caught
without coal In that sea-"
II is not believed in War Department
however. that Spain would be 30
a. to materially weaken her
Atlantic feet by dividing Il In order 70
send . sufacisut force sitter the Phillip.
pinss.