Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-01-12

Mr.. Choate's representation respecting
the seizures of American -four and
other goods on the vessels Beatrice,
Mashona and Maria, has been received.
Just as the officials OF the State De
partment expected, it amounted to a
partial answer very satisfactory SO far
as it goes, disposing of the character
of some goods seized, but not finally
deciding broadly whether or not food
stuffs are to be regarded as contra
band. 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 on the sub
ject addressed to the British foreign
Office.
In brief Mr.. Choate reports as fol-
lows:
That the answer is highly satisfac-
tory; 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 c~ontraband of wal only
when they are supplies for the enc
my's forces. 1t is not sufficient that
they are capable of being used for the
benefit of the enemy; it must be
shown that they are so in fact through
their destination at the time of seiz-
ure. The British government does
not claim that any of the American
goods on the German bark Maria and
the British bark Mashona were con
traband of war. The British govern
ment is investigating the facts in
connection with the goods seized on
the third vessel, the Beatrice.
Mr.. Choate's message embodied sue
cinctly the authorities relied upon by
the British government to sustain it's
position, and as this position, as al
ready stated, is n of those already
assumed by the State Department, of
COoAOO ShCy Ia lS5otdC0 DO COAflnC-
ing. For this reason Mr.. Choate's
message is long and it was nearly
noon before it could be 6eciphered
and placed in Secretary Hays hands.
1t SO happened that Lord Pauncefote,
the British ambassador was with the
Secretary shortly after he received his
message, and probably the subject was
discussed by them. 1t is certain that
both the Secretary and Lord Paunce-
o appeared to be gratified at the
progress being made toward a settle
ment.
Nothing was said directly In Mr..
Choate's original message, nor in a sup
Elementary message, which came later,
explanatory of the proceeding message
touching a 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 not contain
contraband is that they either will or
have been released. II any question
arises as to compensation to the owners
on account of these seizures that can be
adjusted later on. 1t is probable, how
ever, that the British government will
not wait for any hint, but will volun-
tarily make such amends as seems to
be fair.
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 co~nsignors, however, evil
might exist on that point, have come
forward with the positive statement
that they have not been paid for the
goods shipped, and the the drafts drawn
by the consignees in South Africa were
not collectible until the goods were
safely delivered at their destination.
Mr.. Hopkins, the legal representative
here of one of the largest firm concern
ed in the ownership of the goods, was
at the State Department this morning
to discuss the subject with the officials.
The next step will be the collection of
data by the State Department and by
the British foreign Office I o fully es-
tablish the character Of the goods on
the Beatrice, and it is N o expected
there will be any further deliveries
meantime by the British government
upon the general subject of the contra
band character of food stuffs.
LONDON, January 1.-THE Stand
ard in an editorial upon the govern
ment's reply to Mr.. Choate and Count
Won Buelow, says.
I'VE shall be much surprised If the
British. governments definition OF in
ternational law as applied TO the car
rage of food stuffs fails to find ac-
ceptance al Washington and Berlin"
BERLIN, January lit is assert
ed that the German cruisers SchwaIbe
and Condor. which were ordered to