New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-16
DELAGOA BAY SEIZURES.
NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE RELEASE OF

Washington Feb. 15.-Responding to the SEN
ate resolution of January IT, the President to-
day sent to the Senate report from the secre-
tary of State, with accompanying papers, show
ing the steps taken to obtain the restitution of
property of American citizens seized by the
military authorities of Great Britain In and
near Delagoa Bay. South Africa. The report
consists entirely of correspondence between the
State Department and Ambassador Choate and
the British Government The fact that the
-four seized had been released published
some time ago.
SECRETARY HAYS INSTRUCTIONS
The correspondence begins with the report OF
Consul-GeneraI Stowe at Cape Town, made on
December 6, relating to the detention of the
British ship Maria and the seizure of the Brit
ish ship Mashona. and also the Beatrice, all car
rying American -four and other foodstuffs for
the Transvaal These acts were brought to the
notice of Ambassador Choate by Secretary Hay
on December 81, when the Ambassador was in
structed to bring the matter to the attention
of the British Government and to inquire as to
the circumstances and legality of the seizure"
He added: IF it illegal you will request
prompt action and restitution" Consul Hollis
at Lourenco Marques, was instructed at the
same time ito use all proper efforts TO protect
the property of American shippers"
Mr.. Choate's first note, dated January l. re
lates to the American flour on the Mashona, and
he says that the vessel was brought into the
prize court ION the charge of trading with the
enemy"
On January Mi Choate was instructed by
Mr.. Hay that he should represent the views OF
this Government 10 be that unless it can be
shown that the goods were contraband it does
not regard them as subject to capture under
the circumstances represented"
CHOATEs CONFERENCES WITH SAILS
BURY.
On January Mr.. Choate reported a confer
with Lord Salisbury, who. he said, asserted
that the Maria and the Mashona had been
seized for violation of the municipal law or
Great Britain, the seizure being merely an In
cidental matter, and that Lord Salisbury knew
nothing of the Beatrice. On January 10 Mr.
Choate transmitted particulars concerning the
attitude of the British Government, saying that
Lord Salisbury did not assert that any or the
American goods seized were contraband' the
position of the British Government being that
"foodstuffs with a hostile destination can De
considered contraband only If they are supplied
for the enemy's forces and that it is not sum-
cient that they capable of being so USED
Mr. Choate reports in this communication Lord
Salisbury's suggestion that the British Govern,
ment settle the matter by taking the flour ana
paying for it at it's price at its destination MI
ChOate urged the sale to the British Govern
tement This question was still pending, how
ever, when the correspondence ceased.
On the 18th Mr. Choate reported that the car
go of the Beatrice had been discharged at East
London, and that there allegation
against 1t, seizure having been contemplated;
that the cargo of the Maria at Durham,
free for It's owners to take; that the Mashona
was at Cape Town, but owing to the fact that
there We're bills of lading there was much
difficulty in dealing with her cargo. Incident
ally, Mr.. Choate states in a dispatch of the
18TH relating an interview with Lord Salisbury
that me claims no blockade or siege of Delagoa
Bay, but only the right to seize real contraband
of war on the high seas which is destined for
the enemys forces"
On the Goth Mr.. Choate reported the conclu-
sons of the British authorities that large guam
titles Of the -four carried by the Beatrice
destined for the South African Republic, max
ing it necessary to land at East London, as II
was impossible to discharge this part OF the
cargo without discharging the remainder. allow
ing removal of parts of the cargo for local Por-
tuguese consumption. Secretary Hay appar-
emily took exception to this proceeding, saying
it ''in conflict with the assurances that
foodstuffs with hostile intention are not contra
band of war unless intended supplies for the
enemy's forces and inadmissible from the view
of the United States"
Replying to this point, Mr. Choate said that
Lord Salisbury had disclaimed the purpose indi-
Gated
The correspondence closed with a notice from
Mr. Choate to Mr.. Hay, of February g. TO the eff
feet that the American goods on the Mashona
had been placed at the disposal of the American
Consul General at Cape Town.