The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-25
PROTEST AGAINST
FRANCES ACTION
United States Exhibit Laid Under
Embargo at HaYre and Damages
May be Asked.
(By Associated Press.)

PARIS. Dec. 2I.-Thirty cars, forming
part of the United States Government ex-
hibit at the -ecent Paris Exposition We're
suddenly laid under embargo to-day at
Havre. the railroad company declining to
surrender them pending payment of a
claim of $40 francs.
This extraordinary action, seriously de-
laying the departure of the United States
auxiliary cruiser Prairie from Havre for
New York with the Government exhibits,
was made the subject of a formal protest
to the French Government by United
States Ambassador Porter.
The company bases its claim on demur-
rage charges on freight into the cars
when the goods We're brought to the EX-
position Tor installation.
Some time ago the claim was submitted
and Major Rracllett, secretary of the
American Commission H.Hestishted it
and concluded that it had no foundation
as some OF the cars charged
against the American Government
never contained official exhibits.
while the others were cars utilized by
private exhibitors and rot therefore
charSeabie to the United States. Major
Bracket thereupOn erdeavored 10 secure
a settlement, but without avail. The mat
the secretary Of the American Commis-
sion repeatedly EXPRESSING his Witness
ness TO settle any just claim against the
United States. The company left the
case i'll an unsatisfactory condition, and
finally cm5argoed the cas-.
PAY FOR COMPANY.
When Major Brackitt was Informed by
the United States agent 81 Havre he
wired HIM instructions to pay to the COM
NOW
legal authorities, and at the same time
enter a claim against the company for TO-
o0 francs as damages for obstruction ana
delay.
Last summer the company submitted
4 bill of 32.7s2 francs for freight charges
against the commission" he said to-day
and pressed for payment. Tending an
explanation OF certain items, I paid 5000
francs on account. at the same time ask
ing for details. When these We're fur
nished. l discovered that the commission
had been charged with 4,193 francs, which
have been charged TO the Campasnie Cen
erale TranslatiQue. While 4.110 francs should
have been charged TO private exhibitors
The company is, therefore, obliged 70
make a rebate
Tomorrow being: holiday there viii
De no loading of the Prairie The cars
w}n be released by the payment Of the
JUG
Should Wednesday not bring satisfac-
tory solution Major Braclltt will prossaSs'v
pay the rest OF the claim under protest
n order not to delay further the sailing
Of the Prairie. AT the same time he viii
enter an additional claim for damages.
MORE TROUBLE.
Some trouble also arose with Pniin
tasr;eS. the contractor, who bui.. the
National Pavilion. lie wrote the An,eri-
ran Commission December 10th. saying
that the last letter from Commissioner
General Peck was not satisfactory. and
asking when the building would be turned
over to HIM for demolition Two DAYS
Inter he notified the commission that he
intended 20 take possession sind hesin de-
struction Immediately. He in turn was
Informed that The building walEld l'e
placed under his control December 10Th.
and at formal! meeting he was notified
that the commission would remove GER
tain furnishings not surFaS;ed by him.
,"apnsition to which he upparently did not
object.
SATURDAY night, while the American Gus
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