The Atlanta constitution., 1900-01-15
Senator from Maine Throws
a Bomb Shell Into the
Senate Chamber
HE WILL PUSH MATTER
Investigation Called for in Hale Res
olutions Will Not Be Stopped by,
the Action of British Gov
eminent in Releasing
the Goods.
By Jos: Obi.

Washington, January l0-(Special)-
Senator Hale, of Maine, threw a bomb
into the senate chamber today In the
shape of a resolution of inquiry concern
ing he British seizure of American food
stuffs in Delagoa Bay. 1t was not the
usual mush and milk resolution of in
quiry, couched in terms to offend nobody.
but there was vitriol in the wording of IL
that caused the administration senators
to Jump to their feet and inquire what 1t
all meant.
As plainly as 1t could be insinuated
there was the suggestion that the exec
utive branch of the government may
have been derelict in Its duty to uphold
the dignity of the government and the
rights of American commerce. And this
coming from the senator from Maine,
the chairman of the naval committee,
and the man who was most conservative
CT all senators in the days before the
outbreak of the war with Spain. caused
his republican colleagues to wonder II
there had rot been q mistake and If the
resolutions had not been drawn by the
fiery Tillman. who was sitting by Sena-
tor Hale at the time the resolutions were
sent to the clerks desk.
The portion of the resolutions which
especially attracted attention was the
inquiry whether or not the department
has informed the proper British author
tiles that IL said detention Is persisted In
such act will be considered as without
warrant and offensive to the govern
ment and people of the United States.
Senator Hale showed no disposition to
become furried OF TO modify his resolu-
ton in any material way. Under the
rules, It went over until tomorrow. /
understand that the majority Will send
II 10 the committee on foreign relations
and have It modified into a mild inquiry
when they will allow its passage. Mt
Hale's resolution follows:
whereas property of citizens OF the United
States. not contraband Of war has oeen iate
" seized by tho military authorities or Great
Britain near Delagoa bay, South Africa, with
out good reason for same and contrary 10 'he
accepted principles of International law; ana
whereas, said pf }aerty IS now un1ustly de-
tained by the military authorities or Great
Britain in disregard OF tho rights or the own
ers of the same: therefore be II ,..
Resolved by tho senate OF the United states,
THAT the secretary Of state Is hereby req l45ted
TO send 10 the senate al Information IN pos
session OF the state department relating 10 salu
% lzure q nd detau;iOn, and also to inform the
senate what stops have heen taken In request
ing the restoIaticn Of property taken am de-
tained as afor said Snd whether or nct the
department has informed the proper British
authorities that n said detention IS persisted in
such act will be considered as without war
rant and offensive 20 the government and the
people of the United States
The fact of Great Britaln's release OF
The food stuff viii not stop tfe investiga-
tion which the Maine senator has start
ed. There IS a disposition here 70 be
l,eve that the state department has been
winking at the British seizures and is In
every way possible playing into the
hands of the British government.
Senator Clay and Congressman Living
ston will have a conference with the COM
missioner of internal revenue tomorrow
relative to matters of interest to certain
wholesale grocers of Atlanta. who are
in trouble with the department growing
cut of the sale without revenue license
of cider. This is not altoge ther new, but
the grocers are seeking relief from some
burdens placed upon them and It IS pos
sible that some legislation IN their inter-
ests may be necessary.
A bill of great interest to Alabama
was introduced in the house today by Mr..
Underwood 1t provides for the improve
ment of the Warrior river from lock 4
TO the mouth Of the Valley river, and of
the Valley river to McAdory The first
part of the Improvement is scheduled to
cost 81, 100000 and the second part 81, 500, =
600 1t IS not expected, Of course, to Sc
cure anything Ike this amount of money
in the first appropriation. but 1t is ex
pected to get these works under the con-
tinuing contract system. which Will pro-
vide for payment as the work progresses.