The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
EXPRESSIONS IN ENGLAND,
Withdrawal of Demand for Lees Re.
call More facifyina.
APPROPRIATION a PEACE MEASURE.
Denied TINT spain Hns Purchased
Ships In England nnd France.
None Immediately Available.

New York, March "a dispatch to
the Tribune from London says The
stock market is less feverish, but without
list. The situation in America was re-
garded In the streets as more pacific
| since the withdrawal of the demand for
the recall OF General Lee removed the most
| alarming menace OF war. National de-
Tense bills are always considered in Eng
| iand as peace measures, and this is the
| Interpretation placed here ON the vote OF
the S5O,0VV,v00 appropriation, There is lit
! tie comment In the press on the prospects
| OF war.
| The rumors purchase by Spain of six
| warships now in English aud french
| docks is repeated with Il series of deni
ais from all the legations Interested. 1t is
probable that the refusal of these yes
sells has been obtained but there is still
| some uncertainty respecting their deliv-
cry. Only two OF them. can be ready for
sea within month, and the completion
oil the remaining four Will require from
| three to nine months. The purchase of
these vessels, II effected Will indicate
whether the Spanish government consid
ers war likely to occur within Two or
within nine months. for no ship that is
finished after the outbreak of hostilities
can be delivered by any neutral country.
The Manchester Guardian iutimates
that MI. Goshen may announce the pur
chase OF several of these ships for Eng
land. The Spanish government undoubt
edly has money available in London |
for buying war vessels If she can get
them. The United States naval agents Will |
INA few warships in the European mar |
ket for early delivery unless the Spanish |
options are given up. The text of the
neutrality act passed by parliament iii
1890, as sequel to the Alabama arbitra-
ton, provides explicitly for any emer-
gency which may arise. If either Spain
or the United States buys unfinished ships
the delivery, arming and fitting out of
such vessels of war after the outbreak OF
hosiilities is prohibited, and they will be
forfeited TO the British government The
sale OF arms, ammunition and other mill
tary stores to a belligerent is not prohib-
tied, but they must not so out of port in
any warshlps hence 1t will he practicable
for Spain to receive after the outbreak of
hostiiities. guns and other war material
of war which may be ordered
in time of peace, and it is probable that a
portion of the fund now available in Lon
don for Spanish use will be expended in
contracts of this kind.
The important question now discussed
by naval and diplomatic officers relates
to the coal supply OF the belligerents from
neutral ports During the war of 1870 l
large quantities Of coal were exported
from England to France. although Bis
marck protested against it If The same
practice We're repeated English coal could
be shipped TO Havana for the use OF the c
Spanish fleet in time of war moreover a
while it would be breach of neutrality q
% convert Nassau. Kingston or other
British West Indian ports into regular |
,oaling stations for the Spanish fleet the t
opinion of the experts here Is that any
1ellgerent ship entering neutral waters j
AN obtain sufficient coal to carry her to
=, n
roal is as essential as powder or guns to c
laval warfare. but the neutrality prac
ice respecting 1t has not been settled. I
wen by the Geneva award. Havana is c
low mainly supplied with coal from Eng
and for naval use but no unusual con
racts have yet been made for storing IL
,reat quantity of Il there with view TO G
he possibility OF hostlities. I