The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-18
AMERICAN FLOUR SEIZURE
The Senate Demands Light on the
Delagoa Bay Incident.
MIR. HaIc's Resolution of Enquiry
Adopted in Modified Form-The
Philippine Question Revived by MIR.
Pettigrcw-ArranEe for De-
bate on the House Currency Dill.

In the Senate yesterday the resolution
offered by Mr.. Hale OF Maine on jan
uary 10, in relation TO the seizure OF
American property by the British au-
thorities at Delagoa Bay as contraband
of war. was taken up for considera-
tion. Mr.. Davis moved that the reso-
luton be referred TO the Committee on
Foreign Relations, of which he is the
chairman. This is NATTER said Mr.
Davis, for diplomatic negotiation, and
nothing has appeared 10 indicate that thess
negotiations are not proceeding in salts
factory manner. The. assertions in the
preamble of the resolution should also be
considered and il anything that is incor-
rect has been inserted, it must be elimi-
mated. My own opinion is that the quos-
tion as TO whether or not -four is contra
band OF war is dependent largely upon cir
cumstances. AS a general rule such arti-
cles as -four are not contraband, but in
this case it is a question whether or not
this -four was destined for hostile use"
Mr.. Davis said that the real question un-
der consideration was as to whether this
matter comes within the scope of interna-
tional law. He criticised various forms or
expression employed in the resolution. and
referred particularly to the concluding
paragraph 1T is stated" said Mr. Davis,
that II the detention of the property is
persisted in. such act will be considered
without warrant. and offensive to the
Government and people of the United
States. | venture to say that no declsra-
tioD on SO important a question was ever
before made by government until the
diplomatic negotiations relating to it had
been completed. II is a statement which
is made only on the verge of hostilities"
MIR. Hale argued in support of the reso-
luton and stated that he had drafted it
with some care, his original intention be-
ing TO limit ii to enquiry. The Senate
and the country" said MIR. Hale ''are
entitled TO know what the situation is,
but they do not know it. II seems to me
perfectly clear that as it was flour and
not arms or ammunition that was seized
ii was not a contraband of war. There is
today profound ignorance throughout the
country as TO what is being done TO assert
the rights of the United States, which
have been infrinEed upon by the military
authorities of Great Britain
Mr.. Wolcott asked Mr.. Hale whether he
was sure that the -four seized was the
property of American citizens, and re-
minded him that the statement had been
a commission house in New York. which
claimed that its responsibility had ceased
in the matter, and that no American cit
izen was making the slightest claim for
damages.
That" replied Mr. Hale. ''is just what
i am trying to find out
The resolution as offered by Mr.. Hale
was materially amended. Mr.. Hale himself
accepting the suggestions Of Senators that
certain Objectionable features be elm
mated.
Mr.. Platt of Connecticut said the reso-
luton as amended was not Objectionable
in form. but he deemed it unwise TO adopt
il while the subject was pending between
the State Department and the diplomatic
officials of Great Britain.
Mr. Hawley OF Connecticut was still of
The opinion that the resolution was a
diplomatic paper, but was much better
than il was when submitted. as it was
then thinly veiled threat of war.
Mr. Hoar did not favcr the resolution
because. he said. an apparently harmless
resolution might seriously affect pending
negotiations.
Mr. Hale recalled the fact that. during
the Franco-Germsn war, cargoes of bread
stufss were shipped from the United States
to Marseilles without any questioning by
the German Government
Mr.. Tillman called attention TO the ship
ment Of mules to British colonies in South
Africa from ports OF the United States, |
the Government taking no pains to pre-
vent it,
Mr.. Plat replied that there was no in
hibition against the shipment of such sup
plies to the British. The shippers made
the shipments at their own risk.
Mr.. Foraker suggested that the resolu- |
zion be directed TO the President. instead
- rt.. ~
declined TO accept any further amend |
ments. Mr.. Foraker then moved that the |
resolution be amended, as he had sug-
gested. and the motion prevailed.
After further discussion the resolution, |
as modified was adopted. 1t reads
Whereas It is alleged that property Of citi- |
zcns Of the United States not coBtrsband Of war |
has been lsteiy seized by the military authorities
ui Great Britain IN and near Deiagos Bay, South |
Africa. without good for the and |
CONTRARY to the accepted principles Of interna- |
tional Law; and
Whereas it is alleged said property is now |
iinjustly detained by the military authorities Of
Great Britain in disregard Of the rights OF the |
owners Of the came; therefore be II
Resolved, by the Senate OF the United States, |
That the President is requested 10 send 20 the |
senate, II not incompatible with the public in |
yerest. all information in possession Of tie State
Department relating 20 said alleged seizure and |
detention. and also 10 inform the Senate What |
steps have been taken in requesting the restora-
ton Of property taken and detained as sfore-
Baid.
Mr.. Wolcott. Chairman of the Commit |
Zee on Postofiices. introduced awo bills re-
latlng to the administration OF the Post
Office Department, one of them providing
for the codifcatton Of the criminal laws
affecting offences against the postal ser
vice Mr.. Wolcott stated that no attempt
had been made for thirty years 10 codify
these laws and they were scattered through
the statute books everywhere.
At the conclusion of the regular routine
business the resolution offered by Mr.. Hoar
and amended by Mr.. Lodge, calling on the
President for information relative TO the
acquisition of the Philippine Islands. was
laid before the Senate. Mr.. Pettigrew eX-
pressed desire to speak on the resolution
before 1t was passed upon. and in this con-
nection TO refer TO resolution introduced |
by him some time ago asking for the in |
formation as TO whether vessels OF the |
United States Navy had saluted the Fill |
pino flag. and wether In an expedition to |
SGblg Bay vessels of the navy had not es- |
corted Filipino vessel and turned over |
10 the Filipinos captured prisoners
This resolution" said Mr.. Pettigrew, |
was voted down by the Senate but IL the /
statements contained in It are true-and |
i have no reason to doubt their truth |
these acts made the Filipinos allies of the |
United States. IL appears from the re-
ports Of General Otis that the war was
begun by the American forces. who were, |
E0D nVcDCDTIrc