New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-14
DETENTION OF THE TARTAR.
THE AFFAIR REFERRED TO AMBAS
SADOR CHOATE.
ASSUMPTION OF BRITISH AUTHORITY OVER
THE TRANSPORT AT HONG KONG
HELD IN WASHINGTON TO BE
TNAI'THORIZED
UNAUTHORIZED.

Washington. Sept 13.-It was said at the War
Department this afternoon that the Tartar af-
fair had been referred to Ambassador Choate,
which makes an international question Of It.
The contention Of the War Department is that
Notwithstanding the Tartar files the British
flag the assumption Of British authority over
her is unauthorized, as she Is chartered by the
United States Government
A cable message was received to-day nj the
War Department concerning the transport Tar
tar which has been held at Hong Kong. Sec
retary Root thought It Of sufficient impor-
tance 10 take to the President for consideration.
After Secretary Roots return from the White
House. he had q conference with the Commis-
sloner Of Navigation. Mr. Chamberlain, and
also decided to take up the matter Of the Tar
tar with the state Department. with view Of
having the ship cleared at Hong Kong. dis
patch was sent to Colonel Metcalf, Of the 10Th
Kansas. who Is In command Of the troops on the
transport. asking n in his opinion the ship was
overcrowded and If there was Just ground for
complaint Of the subsistence furnished to the
men. A dispatch was also sent to General Otis,
asking for further information concerning the
Tartar and the supplies which she carried.
The War Department made public the fol-
lowing DISPATCHES
Hong Kong. September II.
Corbin. Washington
British authorities refuse 10 clear Tartar be-
cause oyercrowded authorize S24.
METCALF.
Manila. September 13
Adjutant General. Washington:
Tartar sent to Hons Kong AS requested by
Major Long. no dock large enough at Nagasakl.
She has capacity for 1l45 men and Ill cabin
passengers She took back LIZ men and 81
cabin passengers. ON her trip from san Fran
cisco she carried comfortably Lib men and %
cabin passengers OIlS
4 private cable message from Hong Kong
says that complaint was made by the four hun
dred discharged Regulars on board the Tartar
Of overcrowding, whereupon clearance was re-
fused Tho 2Oth Kansas, with General Funston,
IS aboard the vessel. but IT is understood that
the volunteers made no complaint and are
anxious to have clearance granted in order that
they may proceed homeward.
The Tartar vas chartered by the United states
and Is owned by the Canadian Pacific Steamship
Company. She sails under the British flag. and
II IS said that under these conditions she IS SUBJ
feet TO the British navigation laws, as being
chartered by the United States does not enttle
her to American registry. The British Consul
can determine whether she complies with the
British navigation laws and II she does not he
has authority 10 cause her 10 unload.
The Tartar sailed from San Francisco on July
q 1t Is said at the War Department that she
was under the supervision Of the Board or
Health at san Francisco. and that she would
not have been allowed 10 sail from that port II
she had not complied with the regulations. When
she arrived at Manila General Otis reported her
with all on board well. and no deaths. She
sailed from Manila on September J.