The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-01-12
The Messages Received Shows a
DiSavoWaI of Seizure.
VIRTUALLY A CONCESSION
The Position of Great Britain is That
Food Stuffs Can Only be Consid-
cred Contraband When Sup
piled to Enemy's Forces

Washington, January 1.-THE answer of
the British government to Mr.. Choate's
representations respecting the seizure of
American flour and other goods ON the
three vessels, Beatrice, Mashona and Ma
ria, has been received. Just as the Off
cials stated, DIT amounted to partial an
swer. very satisfactory as far as 1T goes,
disposing of the character of some of the
goods seized, but not finally deciding broad
ly whether or not food stuffs are to be re-
garded as contraband.
The British government adopts precisely
the point of view regarding the seizing of
goods that was assumed by the state de-
partment and embodied by Mr.. Choate in
his note on the subject addressed to the
British foreign office.
In brief, Mr.. Choate reports as follows:
"That the answer is highly satisfactory;
that 1t is broad and liberal in terms. The
position assumed by the British govern
ment is that food stuffs in transit to hos
tile destination can be regarded as contra
band of war only when they are supplies
for the enemys forces. 1t Us not sufficient
that they are capable of being used for the
benefit of the enemy. 1t must be shown
that they are so in fact through their desti-
nation at the time of seizure. The British
government does not claim that any of the
American goods on the German bark Maria
and. the British bark Mashona were CONTRA
band of war; The British government is
Investigating the facts in connection with
the goods seized on the third vessel, the
Beatrice"
Rritish Authorities
Mr.. Choate's message embodied succinct-
ly the authorities relied upon. by the Brit
Ssf government to sustain its position, and
as this position, as already stated, is one
of those already assumed by the state de-
partment of course they are regarded as
convincing. For this reason Mr.. Choate's
message is long. and 1t was nearly noon be-
fore it could be deciphered and placed In
Secretary Hays hands.
1t so happened that Lord Pauncefote, the
British ambassador, was with the secreta-
ry shortly after he received his message,
and probably the subject was discussed by
them. 1T Is certain that both the secretary
and Lord Pauncefote appeared to be grati-
fed at the progress being made toward a
settlement of the cases.
Nothing was said directly in Mr.. Choate's
original message nor dn a supplementary
message which came later, explanatory of
the preceding message touching a release of
the seized goods, but of course fair infer
ence from the statement that the goods
on two of the vessels had been found to
be not contraIband, that tthey are or would
be released. II any question arises as to
compensation to the owners on account Of
these seizures, that can be adjusted later
on. 1t Is probable. however, that the Brit
ssh government will not wait for any fur
uiher hint but will voluntarily make such
amends as seem to be fair.
Later in the day the following ohicial
statement was given out by the state de-
| partment: A telegram has been received
from Ambassador Choate reporting an in
terview held by him with the Marquis Of