New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-10
COAL CONTRABAND OF WAR.
Admiral Bradford continues:

While during the Civil War the right Of bellig-
erent 10 take on board coal IN neutral port was
times in the affirmative and sometimes in the mega
ye shss Is coal at % be- Of war In fact
the present time every neutral port Is closed to
belligerent ship of war except under the foiow-
ing restrictions:
She shall not remain in port longer than twenty
four hours unless in distress or in need OF repairs
she shall not take on board any coal than
necessary to carry her to home, port. and she
visions, appliances which shall aid her TO
At the breaking out of the Spanish American War
IN 1855 there was but one foreign coal depot-viz.,
posseased one dspdated shed on rented
ground. with a capacity for one thousand tons OF
Efforts were made. when Ct was foreseen that
was inevitable. to procure depots In the West
remaining resource was to supply the Meet with
coal bv means of steam GOLFERS Reference was
the success Of this method. 1t was due however,
almost entirely to the near proximity OF the theatre
OF war TO our own coast where supplies OF coal
could be obtained: to the absence OF Spanish cruis
ers and to the early capture and control OF certain
In the Philippines success was also due to the
immediate capture Of the port OF Manila FOR use
as naval base. and To the fact that ships carry
ing supplies Of coal to this port were not molestcd
by tho Spanish Navy Under ordinary creu UNI
our shi?s would have been much embarrassed for
responsibility in connection with the maintenance
OF the sovereignty OF the territory Of the South
part Of European nation. yet there is not
single port where coal or supplies may be obtained
on the eastern or western coast OF South America.
In the West Indies and the Pacific Ocean
portance however. to establish a coal depot on
each side Of the lsthmus OF Panama near the ter
mini OF the Isthmian Canal.
WHERE STATIONS ARE MOST NEEDED
In Admiral Bradfords opinion coaling station
should be established near the Yucatan Passage
tha lpAu
Passage all being important strategic locations
The importance OF a coang station on each side
OF the lsthmus OF Panama cannot be overesti-
mated
Foreign coaling stations which do not carry with
them sovereign rights Of little value The or
binary cosling stations for COMMERCIAL ships are
sufficient. as a rule for war vessels In times OF
peace. In war. however the Government must rely
on Its own resources. To supplement the new coal
Ing stations with automatic machinery now under
construction at Page Page. Samoa and Honolulu
TO be followed quickly as possible Mt
CavIte and Guam Admiral Bradford specifically
urges the use Of existing sites possessed by the
Government at Yokohama. where the United States
has permanent lease Of two lots and at Pichilln-
que Bay, Mexico
At the beginning OF the late war he says. with
the exception OF a shed at Key West with a ca
pacity for three thousand tons. there were no ac-
commodatons at any of the navy yards or naval
receipt and storage OF coal or means for rapid
,handing Of the same. In accordance with the best
commercial practice OF the day. The Navy had
relied entirely on coal dealers to supply coal TO
ships in the stream by means OF lighters as re-
quired. The Equipment Bureau much embar-
raised In the war for means to satisfy the de-
mands Of commanding officers for rapid coang,
and II was frequently impossible TO coal ships
which were patrolling the coast in reasonable
time Merchant ships are generally coaled along
side their piers. while men-of without such
facilities Liberal appropriations were made by
the last Congress for remedying these defects
These appropriations have been available only
since July and In most cases little progress has
been made on the work. When completed there
VIII be facilities for storing and handling coal rap