The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-16
DELAGOA BAY SEIZURES.
President Sends Correspondence IN
the subject to the Senate.

President Sends, Correspondence ON
the Subject to the Senate
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-Responding to
the Senate's resolution of Jan. IL. the Presi-
dent to-day sent to the Senate a report
fronn the secretary of state, with accom-
panying papers, showing the steps that
have been taken to obtain the restitution Of
property of American citizens seized by the
military authorities of Great Britain in or
near Delagoa bay. South Africa. Thu re-
port consists entirely of correspondence be-
tween the State Department and AmbaSsa-
DOR Choate and the British government.
The fact that the flour seized had been re-
leased was published some time ago.
The correspondence begins with the re-
port of Consul General Stowe. located at
Cape Town, made on Dec. 6, and relating TO
the detention of the British ship and the
seizure of the British ship Mashona and
also the Beatrice, all carrying American
-four and other foodstuffs for the Trans
vaal. These acts were brought to the no.
tice of Ambassador Choate by Secretary
Hay on Dec. q. when the latter was In
structed to bring the matter to the atten-
ton of the British government and to in
quire as to the circumstances and legality
OF the seizure He added: IF 1T was ille-
gal you will request prompt action and
restitution"
Consul Hollis, at Loruenzo Marques. was
instructed at the same time Ito use all
proper efforts TO protect the property OF
American shippers"
lates to the American flour on the Mashona
and he says in this that the vessel was
brought into the prize court ION the charge
of trading with the enemy"
On Jan. 2 Mr.. Choate was instructed by
Mr.. Hay 10 the effect that he should rep
resent the views of this government to be
that unless IL can be shown that the goods
were contraband 1t does not regard them as
c,hienf ~ nonfrrra 11ndnr the Rir0ImC nQQC
represented"
On Jan. 4 Mr.. Choate reported a confer
ence with Lord Salisbury, who, he said,
claimed that the Maria and the Mashona
had been seized for violation of the mu-
nicipal law of Great Britain. the seizure
being merely an incidental matter n that
Lord Salisbury knew nothing Of the Be-
atrice.
On the 10th of that month Mr.. Choate re-
ported on the attitude of the British gov
eminent, saying Lord Salisbury did not
claim that any of the American goods
seized were contraband. the position of the
British government being that foodstuffs
with a hostile destination can be consid-
cred contraband only If they are supplies
for the enemy's forces. and that 1t is not
sufficient that they are capable of being so
used" Mr.. Choate reports in this COM
munication Lord Salisbury's suggestion
that the British government settle the mat
ter by taking the flour and paying for il at
it's price at its destination. Mr.. Choate
urged such sale 10 the British government
as the simplest and easiest method of set
Element. This question was still pending,
however. when the correspondence ceased.
on the 18th Mr.. Choate reported that the
cargo of the beatrice had been discharged
at East London and that there was no al
legation against IL. no seizure having been
contemplated; that the cargo of the Marie
was at Durham, free for its owners to take;
that the Mashona was at Cape Town, but
that, owing to the fact that there were no
bills of lading, there was much difficulty In
dealing with it's cargo.
Incidentally. Mr.. Choate states in a dis
| patch of the 18th. relating 10 an interview
with Lord Salisbury. that 'he claims no
blockade or siege of Delagoa bay. but only
the right 10 seize real contraband OF war
| on the high seas which is destined for the
enemy's forces"
On the 18th Mr.. Choate reported the con-
| illusions OF the British authorities that
large quantities of -four carried by the
Beatrice were destined for the South Az
rican Republic. making IL necessary to land
at East London, as IL was impossible to
\ discharge this part OF the cargo without
discharging the remainder. allowing re.
moval OF parts of the cargo for local Por-
tuguese consumption
Secretary Hay took apparent exception
! to this proceeding. saying 1t Was In con-