The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-29
AMERICAN FLOUR SEIZURES.
STATE DEPARTMENT. NOT HURRY
ING ABOUT THEM.
The Cases VIII Have to he Adjusted
in the Admiralty Courts, Precise
IL NJ Was the Case I'm seisures
Made by Us During Spanish War.

NEW YORK, Dec. 1S.-lue dpSSseo e
ments Of the facts connected with the seiz-
IRE Of American flour by British warships
or the coast of Portuguese East Africa mas
been confided to the United States consular
agent at Lourenxo Marquee. This omcer
was selected by Mr.. Hollis to look after
the AFFAIRS of the United States consulate
at Lourenzo Marquee during the time ne.
Mr.. Hollis was discharging the duties OF
United States consul at Pretoria. Mr.. Hoi-
lis has reported to the state depar.msnt
that the consular agent ID Thoroughly
capable Official and may be trusted to look
after American interests at Lourenzo Mar
ouez. Under the instructions sent TO MIN
by Secretary Hay yesterday he VIII ascer-
tain all the facts connected with the SELF
ure Of the flour and particularly the names
Of the persons to whom this -four was con-
signed and the actual ownership OF the
goods.
rho department 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 ap-
sol,lte ignorance Of many essential facts re-
parding the seizures, and cannot proceed to
make any complaint until 1t has MADE sure
of its ground. 1t does not even KNOW tnaA
all Of the -four was seized, as was AT nrst
reported. and there Is reason to believe that
al least one consignment was not seized,
but was simply diverted to another port
than Lourenzo Marquee and there ieft SUD
tect to the disposition OF its owners. Al
though this may also be breach OF neu-
trail privilege 1t presents dinerent caSe
TO determine with accuracy all OF the
elements necessary to the preparation OF
protest against a seizure OF the kina repor.-
ed necessarily consumes much time ana
the state department, following the usual
course, cannot be expected to do otherwise
than In the line indicated.
During our late war with Spain wherever
a seizure was made by our warships OF q
merchant vessel laden with supplies intend,
ed for Spanish ports we politely lnIormea
foreign powers which undertook 70 protesI
that they would be obliged to walt the usual
and regular action OF our prize courts
Thus, when French ship was lowed into
Charleston, Notwithstanding. the represent
tations made by the French government;
our government insisted on carrying out all
of the routine proceedings OF prize trial.
In one OF the cases growing out OF tnat
particular seizure It was neariy Two year, yaS
by the seizure and detention OF the ship
secured a final decision OF the case by the
supreme court Of the United States
pared with the legal problems presented in
the stoppage of a British merchant ship by
a British nan-of-war and the search OF
neutral cargo for contraband OF war
THESE facts are set out by the officials
OF the state department as an explanation
Of the reason why the department has not
yet so far yielded to the e,S slamor o. h es
action In the case of these reported SELF
ures of Deiagoa bay.
Flour Was Intended for Beers.
NEW YORK. Dec. 2s.-The three ves-
with by British warships in Delasoa bay
the beatrice, the Mashona and the
Maria the two tr,ra named selns Ens
TO- 900 barrels OF -four shipped by. the
Pennsylvania Export ana Milling Com
of more definite information from the
seat OF trouble, that 1t was this ship
ment principally that caused the Eng
lsh warships to take action. Therefore
the advice and opinions. Of specialists In
international law Is being sought by
shippers regarding -four as a contraband
The New York agents of the milling
company admitted that their entire ship
ment on the three steamers for Delagoa
hannesburg, although they disclaimed
any knowledge of it's being intended for
use of the Boer government.
DO Not Know of Any Seizure.
A. j. Toomay, one of the milling COM
pany,s agents, said said. that l,. they were nc, not
seized, or that the vessels had simply
been warned away from Iourenzo Mar
quez. In either case. he said, his COM
pany was left in q peculiar predicament,
owing to the fact that the various pa
pers dealing with the shipment had gone
by mall to Johannesburg houses and
I'VE have no other shipments in transit
to Delagoa fortunately. and under the
circumstances It is not likely that we
will have" said Mr.. Toomay today.
One Shipper Not Worried.
u. d. Eddie, of Flint, Eddie & Co,
when seen Yesterday, made light of the
whole question.
1.-THE value of our entire Shipment he
said, docs not exceed 5000. 1t consist
ed of ordinary merchandise. We are
confident that the British government,
whatever. disposition 1t makes of the
goods, will pay. well for them, as I do
not think 1t will put needless obstacles
in the way of American merchants. The
chief Importance Of this matter, of course,
lies in its relation to International law"
Yukon Railway Project.
ST. PAUL. Dec. 2S.--A Winnipeg spe-
cial to the Dispatch says: The Dominion
government apparently contemplates
building railway from Great Slave lake