The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-12
ONLY A PARTIAL ANSWER
QUITE SATISFACTORY AS FAR
AS 1T GOES.
THE AMERICAN CONTENTION CONCEDED
1t Is Not Claimed by the British Government
That Evidence Was Found That The
Goods Were Meant for
Hostile People.

Washington, Jan. 11.-The answer of
the British Government to Mr.. Choate's
representations respecting the seizures
of American flour and other goods on
the three vessels Beatrice, Mashona and
Maria has been received. just as the
officials of the State Department expect
ed, it amounted to a partial answer,
very satisfactory, as far as it goes, dis
posing of the character of some Of the
goods seized but not finally decided
broadly whether or not food stuffs are
to be regarded as contraband. The
British Government adopted precisely
the point of view regarding the seized
goods that was assumed by the State
Department and embodied by Mr..
Choate in his note on the subject adj
dressed to the British Foreign Office.
In brief Mr.. Choate reports as follows:
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 a hostile destination can be regarded
as contraband of war only when they
were supplies for the enemy's forces.
1t is not sufficient that they are capable
OF hcine used for the benefit Of the
enemy: It must be shown that they are
so in fact through their destination at
the time of the seizure. The British
Government does not claim that any of
the American goods on the German bark
Maria and the British bark Mashona
were contraband of war. The British
Government is investigating the facts
in connection with the goods seized on
the third vessel. the Beatrice.
Mr.. .Choate's message embodied sue
cintly the authorities relied upon by
the British Government to sustain its
position, a position already assumed
by this Government. Lord Pauncefote,
the British Ambassador, was with the
Secretary shortly after he received his
message and both appeared gratified at
the progress toward a settlement of the
cases. Though not mentioned by Mr..
ChOate, it is inferred here that the
seized goods either will, or have been
already released. Any possible question
as to compensation to the owners can
he adjusted later on. 1T is probable
however, that the British Government
will voluntarily make such amends as
seems to be fair.
1t is believed that the uncertaincy IS
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
apprehending that doubt might exist on
that point, have come forward with the
positive statement 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 delivered at their
destination. The two Governments will
now seek to establish the character of
these goods
Later in the day the following official
statement was given out by the State
Department.:
A telegram has been received from
Ambassador Choate reporting an inter
view had by him with the Marquis of
Salisbury on the afternoon of the 10th
instant in regard to the American ship
ments of flour and provisions on the
detained British steamers Beatrice and
Mashona and the Dutch steamer Maria.
The British position as to food stuffs
and hostile destination is that they can
only be considered contraband of war if
supplied for the enemy's forces, it not
being sufficient that they are capable of
being so used, but it must be shown
that this was their destination at the
time of seizure. This qualification vir
tualy comedies the American contention
that the goods were not subject to seizure
and practically d;savows the seizure; it
not being claimed that there is any evil
dence of hostile destination.