The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-29
MUST HAVE THE FACTS.
Siste Department Is investigating Seizure
Of Flour
THE NATTER WILL REQUIRE SOME TIME
Consular Aaent Mt Lourenxo MnrGucx
Has the AFFAIR In ChavHc-Precc-
dent During Spanish Wnr.

Washington, December 2s.--The ascer-
tainment of the facts connected with
the seizure OF American flour by warships
off the coast OF Portuguese East Africa has
been confded to the United States con-
sular agent at Lourenzo Marquee. This
officer was selected by Mr.. Hollis to look
after the affairs OF the United States con-
sulate at Lourenzo MARQUEE during the
time he. Mr.. Hollis, was discharging the
duty OF United States consul at Pretoria.
Mr. Hollis has reported to the state de-
partment that the consular agent is a
thoroughly capable official and may be
trusted to look after American interests at
Lourenzo Marquee Under the instruc-
tions sent TO him by Secretary Hay yes
terday he will ascertain all of the facts
connected with the seizure OF the flour
and particularly the names Of the persons
to whom this flour was consigned and the
actual ownership of the goods. The de-
partment of state Is determined to do
everything proper to maintain American
rights In the matter of neutral trade in
this case. But so far the department is
in absolute ignorance OF many essential
facts regarding the seizures and can not
proceed 10 make any complaint until IL
has made sure of It's ground. 1t does not
even know that all of the -four was seized
as was at first reported and there is rea-
son to believe that in the case of at
least one consignment the flour was not
seized but was simply diverted to an
other port than Lourenzo Marquee and
there left subject 10 the disposition of it's
owners Although this may also be u
breach OF neutral privilege, IL presents
different case from the seizure.
To determine with accuracy all of the
elements necessary 10 the preparation of
q protest against a seizure of tho kind
reported necessarily consumes much time
and the state department, following the
usual course can not be expected to act
otherwise than in the line indicated Dur
ing our late war with Spain, however, a
seizure WAS made by our warships Of
q merchant vessel laden with supplies
intended for Spanish ports. We politely
informed foreign powers which undertook
= protest that they would be Obliged to
wait the usual and regular action OF our
prize courts Thus when a French ship
was towed into Charleston. notwithstand-
ing the representation by the French gov
eminent. our government insisted on car
rying cut all of the routine proceedings OF
prize trial. In one OF the cases growing
out OF that particular seizure 1t was
nearly two years before the parties claim
ing TO be aggrieved by the seizure and
detention of the ship Scared a final de-
cision of the case by the supreme court
OF the United States. Yet this case was
simplicity itself. compared with the legal
problems presented in the stoppage OF a
British merchant ship by British man
OF war and search Of neutral cargo for
oontraband OF war These facts are set
out by the officials OF the state depart
ment as an explanation OF the reason why
the department has so far not yielded TO
the clamor Of certain element for Ill
considered and hasty action in the case
of those reported seizures of Delagoa
Bay.
London, December oo.-"It rs satisfac-
tory" says tho Times oditorially this
morning, ITO learn that the Washington
government is acting with regard to the
American cargoes seized in Delagoa Bay,
as we should have wished and expected.
II Is a matter of course that we shall
make full reparatlon, If Teparation Is
proved 10 be due. In the meantime, 1t
may be noted. as the Americans admit,
that the facts are In considerable doubt,
and that some of them seem 10 be rather
compromising 10 the vessels seized. There
will he time enough to talk of the policy
TO be followed when the facts have been
nj