The Atlanta constitution., 1900-01-15
ENGLAND SENDS ANSWER.
DETAINED AMERICAN FLOUR Is
SOON TO BE RELEASED.
Shiuments Not Made to the Beers
Are Not To Be Considered
Contraband.

washington, January 1.-THE answer OF
tho British government TO Mr.. Choate's
representations respecting the seizures or
American -four and other goods on the
three vessels. Beatrice. Mashona and
Maria, has been received. Just as the
officials OF the state department expected.
It amounted TO a partial answer. very sat
isfactory, as far as It goes, disposing OF
the character of Some of the goods sei1-
ed. but not finally decided broadly wheth-
or or not fOodstuffs are to be regarded as
contraband The British government
adopted precisely tho point of view re-
garding tho seized goods that was as
sumed by the state department and en-
bodied by Mr.. Choate in his note on the
subject addressed to the British foreign
Office. In brief. Mr.. Choate reports as fol-
lows:
THAI the answer is highly satisfactory;
that Il IS broad and liberal IN terms. The
position assumed by the British govern
ment is that foodstuffs in transit 10 a
hostile destination can be regarded as
contraband of war only when they are
supplies for the enemy's forces. 1t is not
sufficient that they are capable or pelhB
used for the benefit Of the enemy. IL must
be shown that they are so IN fact through
their destination at tho time of the seiz-
ure The British government does not
claim that any of the American goods
on the German bark Maria, and the
British bark Alashona were contraband of
war. The British government is investi-
eating the facts IN connection with the
goods seized on the third vessel the Beat
rice.
Mr.. Choate's message embodied sue
cnctly the authorities relied upon by the
British government to sustain its posi-
H. l.
government. Lord Pauncefote, the British
ambassador. was with tho secretary
shortly after he received his message and
both appeared gratiiied at the progress
toward "A settlement of tho cases. Though
not mentioned by MIR. Choate, II IS infer
red here that tho seized goods either Will,
or have been already, released. Any pos
sible question as to compensation TO the
owners can be adjusted later on. II is
probable, however. that the British gov
ernment will voluntarily make such
amends as seems to be fair.
1t IS believed that the uncertainty as
to the character of the Beatrice's cargo
is based upon an imperfect knowledge or
the ownership OF the goods. The Ameri-
can consiguors, however. evidently APP
pretending that doubt might exist on tina;
point have come forward with the posi-
tive statement that they have not been
paid for the goods shipped, and that the
drafts drawn by tho consignees in South
Africa were not collectable until the
goods were safely delivered at their desti-
nation. Tho two governments will now
seek TO establish the character of the
goods. Later in the day the following ofii-
cial statement was given out by the state
department.:
"A telegram has been received from Am
bassauOr Choate reporting an interview
had 3y MIN with the marquis of Salisbury
the afternoon of the 10Th instant in
regard 10 the American shipments of flour
ami provisions on the detained British
steamers Beatrice and Mashona and the
Dutch steamer Maria The British posi-
tOn as TO tOodstuns and hostile desuna-
tiOn is that they can only be considered
contrahand OF war If supplied for the
enemy forces. II not being sufficient that
they are capable OF being so used. but il
must be shown that this was their desti-
nation at the time of seizure This ouali-
hcation virtually comedies the American
contention that the goods were not sub
jcCt 10 seizure and practically disavows
tho seizure, it not being claimed that
there Is any evidence OF hostile destina-