Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-25
THEABBEYSCAPTURE
An Owner of the Vessel Protests
Against Its Seizure.
DENIES THAT IT Was A FILIBUSTER
Directions to Hold It Sent to Admi-
raj Watson.
CON UL BEDLOE'S CASE

The Navy Department has received a
protest from w. F. Sylvester at London.
one Of the owners of the ship Abbey.
against the seizure of that vessel by Ad-
miral Dewey on the charge of carrying
arms to the Filipinos. He states that he
is about to come to Washington to contest
this seizure, on the ground that the Fill
pinos were the allies of the United States
at the time these arms were shipped. At
the same time the State Department.
through Consul General Goodnow at
Shanghai, has prosecuted an inquiry into
the shipment of the arms and an elaborate
report Is now before the department Based
on the report, the State Department is pre-
pairing a letter to the Navy Department
which will be the ground for further pro-
ceedings. The owners of the Abbey have
retained Edwin B. Hay Of this city to look
after their interests, and he has filed a
number of papers both at the State and
Navy Departments and called today to
submit other documents in the case.
Directions to Admiral Watson.
The ramifications Of the Abbey seizure
are engaging the attention Of three gov
eminent departments-State, War and
Navy-and promise to have an interesting
sequel. The matter has been pending for
some time. and the authorities here have
been seeking to perfect their case At one
time the owners of the Abbey declared that
they would make claim for damages, and
there was some prospect that the ship
would be released. But on July 1 last the
Navy Department cabled to Admiral Wat
son to hold the ship. 1t is understood
that this was due to disclosures made to
the department by person on board the
ship at the time the arms were carried,
from which it was believed a good case
was established, showing the irreguarity
OF the shipment. In the meantime, Mr.
sylvester at London, his agent Mr.. Levy,
at Hong Kong, and his representative in
Washington, Mr.. Hay. have been pressing
for release and protesting against the
original seizure.
Mr.. Sylvester's Letter.
Mr.. Sylvester's letter to the Navy De-
partment gives his version of one of the
chief points on which the Abbey was
seized, VIZ: That no American flag was
found aboard, and that she was under
British colors, although she had cleared
from Canton as an American ship. This is
explained on the ground that after the
Clearance and just prior to the seizure the
ship had been sold to British syndicate,
and was properly under the British flag.
Mr.. Sylvester's chief reliance seems to be
that when the cargo of arms and ammuni-
ton was taken aboard in September last
the Fflipinos were not at war with the
United States, SO that the shipment could
not be classed as furnishing arms to the
enemy There appears to be no denial of
the fact that arms and ammunition were
on board, but the case is rested on the
point that there was nothing unlawful in
shipping munitions of war to the Filipinos
prior to the opening of hostilities between
them and the United States.
Further Correspondence.
Among the papers submitted to the State
TAs.,Np f@ln
letter to the Hong Kong representative of
the Abbey, declining to release the vessel.
Another letter from Mr.. Levy at Hong
Kong expresses surprise that the Attorney
General and Secretary of the Navy should
first authorize the release of the vessel,
with the understanding that no claim
should be made against the government,
and then that Admiral Watson should be
directed on July 1 to hold the vessel.
The State Departments review of the
case, which is now being prepared, will
largely determine what further action the
naval officials will take. If the ship is to be
held then proceedings will probably be in
sututed for her condemnation, much SINH
lar to the case of a prize. This would have
to be done at San Francisco, as there is
court out Of the country competent to deal
with such condemnation. The arrival of
Mr. sylvester may also bring some new de-
yelopments in the case.
SOhSul beOlOe'2 Cd8Cs
1t is said at the State Department that
the action taken as to Consul Bedloe. our
representative at Canton, is not on account
of the Abbey case. 1t appears that he GER
titled that Mr.. Sylvester was an American
citizen. and on this the Abbey secured
American registry. The action of the de-
partment seems to have been based on the
formal irregularity of these consular
without reference
carrying of arms aboard the steamer.
private letter just received from Con-
sui Bedloe states that he Is on leave of
absence. and is on his way home via Hong
Kong and San Francisco He gives no in,
timat1on that he Is under suspension.
Official Integrity Not Involved.
1t was stated at the State Department
this afternoon that the action taken by the
department in the case Of Consul Bedloe
has no connection whatever with his course
In the matter of the Abbey and is not in
tended to reflect in any way upon his
honor or integrity. It is admitted that he
has been suspended from office, and was
granted leave Of absence to come to the
United States. AS explained by one high
official this ''action was taken for good
ana sumclent reasons which cannot be dis
closed at this time, but which do not in
voiVe MS omclal integrity and have no re-
!at1on to the Abbey case" NotWithstand-
ing this statement 1t is known that several
ofnclais or the department consider that
Consui bedloe clearly overstepped his legal
autnorlty In granting American registry to