Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-11
Regarded as Satisfactory as Far as It
Goes.
WIEN FOOD STUFFS ARE CONTRABAND
Only When Destined to Supply the
Enemy's Forces.
OF OUR FLOUR

L lie answer OF the BRUSH government tC
Mr.. Choate's representations respecting the
seizures of American -four and other goods
on the three vessels Beatrice, Mashona an6
Maria, was received over the cable last
night. Just as the officials Of the State De
partment expected, 1t amounted to a par.
tlal answer. very satisfactory as far as i,
goes, disposing Of the character of some OF
the goods seized, but not finally deciding
broadly whether or not food stufs are tc
be regarded as contraband.
The British government adopts precisely
the point of view regarding the seized goods
that was assumed by the State Department
and embodied by Mr.. Choate in his note or
the subject addressed to the British foreign
office. In brief, Mr.. Choate reported:
When Food Stufs Are Contraband.
That the answer is highly satisfactory
that it Is broad and liberal in terms. The
position assumed by the British government
is that food stuffs in transit to hostile
destination can be regarded as contrabant
of war only when they are supplies for the
enemys forces.
of being used for the benefit Of the enemy
1t must be shown that they are so in fact
through their destination at the time Of the
seizure. The British government docs not
the Dutch bark Maria, and on the British
bark Mashona were contraban of war. The
British government is investigating the
facts in connection with the goods seized on
the third vessel, the Beatrice.
The British Authorities.
Mr.. Chcate's message embodied succinct-
ly the authorities relied upon by the Brit
ish government to sustain its position, and
as this position, as already stated, Is one
of those already assumed by the State
Department, of course, they are regarded
as convincing. For this reason Mr.. Choate's
message is long, consequently 1t was nearly
noon before 1t could be deciphered and pac-
ed In Secretary Hays hands
1t so happened that Lord Pauncefote, the
British ambassador, was with the Secretary,
just after he received his message and
probably the subject was discussed between
the two. 1t is certain that both the Secre-
tary and Lord Pauncefote appeared to be
gratifled at the progress being made to-
ward a settlement of tho cases.
Nothing was said directly in Mr. Choate' 8
original message. nor In a supplementary
message which came later explanatory of
the preceding message, touching release
OF the seized goods, but, of course. a fair
inference from the statement that the goods
on two of the vessels had been found to be
not contraband is that they either win or
have been already released.
II any question arises as to the compen-
seizures. that can be adjusted later on. 1t
Is probable, however, that the British gov
ernment will not wait for any hint, but
Will voluntarily make such amends as seem
to be fair
The Cargo on the Beatrice.
1t is believed that the uncertainty as to
the character Of the Beatrice's cargo is
based upon an imperfect knowledge Of the
ownership Of the goods. The American
consignors, however, evidently apprehend-
ing that doubt might exist on that point
have come forward with the positive state
ment that they have not been paid for the
goods shipped, and that the drafts drawn
by the consignees in South Africa were not
collectable until the goods were safely de-
lvered at their destination.
Mr. Hopkins, the legal representative
here of one Of the largest firms concerned
in the ownership of the goods, was at the
State Department this morning to discuss
the case with the officials.
The next step will be the collection Of
data by the State Department and by the
British foreign office to fully establish the
character of the goods on the Beatrice. 1t
is not expected that there will be any fur
ther deliveries by the British government
in the meantime upon the general subject
of the contraband character of food stuffs.