Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-01-11
ENGLAND YIELDS.
That Seized American Flour
Has Been Released.
Decision Reached After Another Call
by Choate on Salisbury.
England will Have Difficulty in Carrying Out
Contraband Declarations.

London. Jan. 10-The American -four
seized off Delagoa Bay has been releas-
ed. The United States ambassador,
Mr.. Joseph ChOate, had an interview
with the Marquis of Salisbury. this af-
ternoon, and received a verbal reply
to the representations of the Washing
ton government. The British note on
this subject was sent later to the Unit
ed States embassy. In brief, food
stuffs are not considered contraband Of
war unless intended for the enemy
The foreign office only arrived at a
decision. todaystaAd it was 1t until
after Mr.. Choate's Interview had end
ed that a note eB1bodying the provis-
ions was drawn Up. Several. Of the
governments advisers wanted to make
n regula ton regarding canned goods,
but this was decided to be unpracti-
cable. The decision to make flour and
grain in transit to the enemy CONTRA
band is evidently hedged in by many
difficulties of execution. But the for
eign office believes that investigation
will generally determine whether the
grain is really meant for consumption
ct LourenZo Marquee or in the Trans
vaal Mr.. Choate cabled Lord Sails
bury's Eote to the state department at
Washington. tonight, and Col. Hay is
expected to reply accepting the terms.
The latter step was not taken by Mr.
Choate, as he had first u receive au-
thority from the state department to
do so.
Washington, Jan. 10.-Up to the close
Of office hours the answer Of the Brit
ish government To Mr.. Choate's rep
reservations as to the seizure Of Amer
lean flour and other goods had not been
received at the state department nor
had Mr.. Choate indicated when an an
swer might be received. The state de
partment. basing it's judgment on the
fact that it is still at the ambi ssadors S
request collecting and transmitting to
him information relative to the char
acter of the goods needed for the full
presentation Of the case, scarcely eX-
poets an Immediate answer
Washington, Jan. Ex-senator Hale
of Maine. today. offered the following
resolution relating to the alleged seiz-
ure of American flour by the British
government:
Whereas. property Of citizens of the
United States not contraband Of war
has been lately seized by the military
authorities Of Great Britain and near
Delagoa Bay. South Africa. without
good reasons for same and contrary
to the accepted principles of internal
tional laws and,
Whereas. said property is now un-
justly detained by the military au-
thorties of Great Britain in disregard
of the rights of the owners of the same
therefore, be it,
Resolved by the Senate of the United
States, that the secretary of state is
hereby requested to send to the Senate
all information in possession of the
state department relating to said seiz-
ures and detention and also to inform
the Senate what steps have been taken
in requesting the restoration Of prop
erty taken and detained as aforesaid
and whether or not the department has
informed the proper British authorities
that said detention if persisted in, such
act will be considered without warrant
and offensive to the government and
principle of the United States
Durham, Jan. 10.-The British author
tiles have released the German steamer
He,zog which was seized. Jan. g. while
on her way to Lourenzo Marquee.
he Hague. Jan. 10.-The minister of
marine, ]. c. Jansen. has instructed the
commander Of the Dutch cruiser Fries
land now at I.ourenzo Marquee. to pro
ceed to Durham and take on board the
Dutch ambulance intended for the
Transvaal and the stores sent out for
the Fresland herself. which form part
of the cargo of the HerZog.
Berlin. Jan. 10.-Several fore ign Office
today. expressed themselves
more freely about the British seizures
Of German vessels. Great Britain's
formal written answer to Germany
formal protest has not yet been re
ceived. but another oral declaration by
Lord Salisbury to Count Won HaZelt
feldt. the German ambassador in Lon
don. has been telegraphed to Berlin
that Great Britain admits her
obligations to pay damages for seized
vessels not carrying contraband.
1t is admitted by the foreign Office |
that the-armOred cruiser Deutschland |
flagship Of Prince Henry Of Prussia, |
may be sent to Delagoa Bay together |
with the gunboat Habcht.
The examination of the cargo Of tbs |
Bundesrath-the foreign office has been |
still in progress.