The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-13
A PRO-BOER OBJECTION.
Edward Van Ness Protests Against
Selling Mules to the British.

NEW YORK, Jan. Edward Van
Ness, II East Seventy-irst Street, pro
nounced Boer sympathizer, has written
to Representative William Aston Chanler,
Of the Fourteenth district, in which Mr..
Van Ness lives, Directing to the British
obtaining horses and mules in the United
States for use in the war against the
Beers.
MIR. Van Ness, it will be remembered,
caused quite connection at Bar Harbor,
Me, last September, when the British
North American squadron, under Vice
Admiral Bedford, was there, by hosting
a Boer flag on q pole In front Of his
sumner cottage. The flag was taken down
by tie police. MIR. Van Ness, in his letter
to Mr.. Chanler, which is dated January 8,
says:
Having read from time to time in the
public papers OF the shipment OF horses
and mules from New Orleans in vast
quantities for the use Of the British army
in the war in South Africa. thought there
must be some exaggeration. To convince
myself on this subject l made trip TO
New Orleans, and found that the numbers
shipped had been Inderestimated instead
OF overstated.
over 60. coo animals of all kinds for re-
mounts and to replace worn out cavalry
and artillery horses used up by the Brit
ish army in South Africa have already
been shipped from that port; and it is
contemplated to ship some 10000 or $4,000
more. In fact, 10000 is the minimum,
and what the actual number may reach is
not known a fleet of transports has been
employed in this service ever since the
war began.
"AIl the nations of the earth except the
United States are neutral. We are the
only people who Supply the British with
the sinews of war, and our country is the
sole basis of supply Cor warlike material
The money to buy this stock and maintain
this feet of transports was borrowed on
British bonds negotiated in Wall Street,
and they are now negotiating an add
tional loan. What must be the feelings
of the Beers toward US when they hear
the roar OF British artillery and stand to
gether to resist the charge of the British
cavalry, knowing that both are brought
against them by horses furnished by this
country-this country, claiming to be neu-
trial? If the Beers are ever conquered,
their defeat Will be due to US. Bear IN
mind, it win be due to us alone. If we
should build a war vessel for the Beers
and turn it over to them 1t would create
a great excitement in London. But why
may we not sell the Beers ships as we'll
as the British horses?"
Mr.. Van Ness calls attention to the
ysovision of the treaty of Isy S, 1871,
between Great Britain and this country
which forbids a neutral Government per
hitting a beiligerent 10 use the neutral
Governments ports for the renewal or
augmentation Of military supplies. Mr..
Van Ness letter ends thus:
"Sir, as a natiye-born American. proud
~ hap
ask you to solicit the Congress to inter
vene in this matter at once, by preventing
the expectation of horses and mules for
the use of the British army in South
Africa. While the world is amazed at the
fortitude of the Beers, it is equally as
founded at the practical assistance rem
dered by this country to their enemies. -