The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-06
CONCLUSIONS INDEFINITE
Louisiana Executive is Anx- ious to Enforce the Law.
He Says He Will at Once Chase the
 British from Chalmette If It z is His. Duty So
 =" to Do.

Washington, April 5.-The State Depart ment today made public the correspon- dence that has so far taken place be- tween the United States Government and the Governor of Louisiana, representing the Iatteris statement touching the ship ment of live stock and supplies for the British army in South Africa. from Chalmette, La. There. are three prin- cipal letters and number of appendices.
 The principal letter is one from the Governor of Louisiana dated March 2' touching the conditions at Chalmette; reply from Secretary HayY dated Aprh A announcing that he should order all investieation (which will be made by an army officer) and long opinion from the Attorney General on the legal points involved in the Chalmette shipments.
 Governor Heard's letter already has been outlined in the press dispatches. lie berins with a statement that he had received a copy of letter from Secretary Hay calling his attention to a threat or Samuel Pearson to commit oreach oi the peace in New Orleans" and referring that letter to the mayor of that city TOT consideration MT. Pearson's letter IS one heretofore published, dated at Ne" Orleans, February 1, and addressed 10 the President, calling attention to the condition of affairs at New Orleans ana Chalmette.
 The mayor transmitted this correspon- denee to the Governor of the State on the ground that the acts complained of were committed in the parish or St. Ser nard, which Jurisdiction is out Of the city. The Governor wrote to Sherill Nuhez of that parish in regard to the rjs4 tter. The sherifr's reply-a part or the C;overnsr's, Is dated St. Bernard. la, Feb B. and reborts concisely that mules and horses were being loaded at ktalmettc for the British Government Ge9cher directly or indirectly, but tile load ohti was done by longshoremen of the city p%New Orleans, supervised by English a.ier. swho might or might not be officers of the army. Certainly there was no our there in uniform. conclusion the sheriff siys.
 There Is no such thing as a British post with men and soldiers established at Port Chalmette. s far as the recruiting of men is concerned. l am sure l can certify that it is not being done in tho parish of St. Bernard As l understand it the only men taken oil the ships are the muleteerS who are employeu III lHc city of New Orleans.
 "I have always endeavored to enforce observauce to the laws of this State as well AS to the laws of the United States, therefore should you inform me that said shipments are contrary to the law. will certainly prevent any further violation of the law
 Governor Heard says it is conceded by the British officers themselves that the
 tn South Africa He says "The burghers of south Africa are making fight for their homes and their liberty, which can not but appeal at least, to the sense Of fair play of the American people. As the executive of the Commonwealth Of Louisiana. whose people have always been ardent lovers of the Boers. cannot but feel that the establishment and maintcnance of base of war supplies for the British army upon her soil, place upon me d grave responsibility. These mules and horses shipped from Port Chslmette as claimed. are indispensable to the operations of the British army. Hence, they must be considered as con traband of war. of greater value than arms and soldiers. that England can go easily furnish from within her borders.
 The Governor says 1t is his opinion that it is the function of the National
  force oheti.t tncc to the neutrality laws; yet if such duty belongs to the State. where the violation occurs. he would not LCsitate to act as the law may warrant, I'd calls on the Secretary of State for bis views in the matter.
 In a postscript to this, the Governor re- ports the arrival in New Orleans Of Gen eral Sir Richard Campbell Stuart, an aide of the British army. on tour of Inspection of the transport service in the vicinity of New Orleans. He also en- closes a number of newspaper clippings and statements from individuals as to the operations of the British Tc-mount ser vice, transcript of the proceedings in court and q number of letters from in- dividuals protesting against the continua- ton of the animal shipments. The most important of these. probably, is an af1l- dsvt of one Toures, setting forth his engagement for service on the transport Milwaukee, signing articles before the British Vice-Consul, being assigned to duty by Lieutenant Thompson of the Ycomanry of the British army and act ing under his orders, went to Capetown thence to Durban, where horses were de- Hvcrcd to British officers in uniform and where the men were not allowed to go ashore, unless we would agree to sign with the recruiting officer and join the British army" He also alleged that the Milwaukee was commanded by army offit CTS
 In reply to the Governor, Secretary Hay states:
 ."I have received your letter of the 29th of March. and submitted it to the Presi- dent. who directs me to inform you that he has requested an opinion from the At torrtey- General in regard to the points of law involved in the matter to which it refers. and has also ordered an imme- diate investigation of the facts in the case
 The Attorney-Generals opinion is dated April f. He says:
 .it seems necessary to say nothing AS to inc duties and powers of the State of ecislS except that they involve. of co,,rse the cxercise of the usual civil means Of preserving the peace. in the IniprobabIs event of its breach in the ,,sar,cr st,pDoscd to be suggested by Pear