The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-04
AND IN NEUTRAL WATERS
So Declares the Captain of the Sea
Witch"
cHOATE INFORMS THE BRITISH PREMIER
London Declares if the Facts Are as Stated
III Great Britain Owes Us an Ample ApoI-
ogy But Thinks Mistake Has
Been Made.
(By the Associated Press. J

London, May 3.-(61l D. NIT has
been learned by representative of the
Associated Press that United States AM
bassador Choate asked Lord Salisbury for
an explanation as to the alleged abuse of
international right in the case of the
American ship Sea Witch, which, accord :
ing to the statement of her commander,
Captain Howe, was boarded Dy the Brit
limit of Portuguese territory in East
Africa.
The American ship Sea Witch LETT
Wailorco December 3rd, and arrived at
Delagoa Bay February 18th. She sailed
March 4th for Port Natal (Durban) and
arrived there March 9th.
The American Ambassadors communi-
cation to the Premier hardly amounts to
a protest and serious complications are
not likely to ensue. The case as trans
mitted by Secretary Hay to London, con
sists Of the captains allegations that
while the Sea Witch was off Delagoa Bay
he signalled to the Wasp, which was pa
trolling and the Wasp sent boat to her.
The captain of the Sea Witch complains
that the visit resembled a warlike board-
ing party, ana thai his manifest was ex-
amined against his will when palpably s
within neutral waters. If the latter
statement is true a serious offense has
been committed by the Wasp. which will
call for an ample apology from Great
Britain. but it is pointed out that the
fact that the Sea Witch signalled the
Wasp before the warship noticed her
invests the case with curious uncer-
tainty. Apparently both Mr.. Choate and
Lord Salisbury are inclined to believe that
there is some mistake, perhaps on both
sides. The Premier has referred the mat
ter to the Admiralty. which has nc
record of the occurrence but has cabled
to South Africa for the Wasps version OF
time may elapse before the British reply
is ready
Meantime, the incident does not inter-
fere in the slightest with the diplomatic
cordiality existing between the represen-
| tatives of the two nations interested
COMMENT AT WASHINGTON.
Washington, May Enquiry at the
state Department confirms the London
statements as to the nature of the action
taken by the State Department relative
to the boarding of the Sea Witch. Sew
eral weeks ago the Department had its
first news of this affair in the shape of q
report by cable from the United States
Consul at Delagoa Bay. Mr.. Hollis, who
mentioned the facts briefly. His state
ment was forwarded to Ambassador
Choate at London in order that he might
direct the attention of the British Gov
ernment to the matter. Officials here say
it has never been claimed by the British
| Government that its warshiDs had the
| right of search in Portuguese waters, and
| it was felt that in this case, as in many
| others, the issue was only one of fact
| respecting the actual distance Of the
vessels from the Portuguese shore. If il
| should appear that the Sea Witch was
| within the three mile limit according tC
the State Department, then the explana-
| ton would be in order; otherwise the
| British vessel was within her rights in
boarding.