The Irish standard., 1902-04-12
NEUTRALITY LAWS VIOLATED.

Gov. Heard, of Louisiana, found it
necessary to apprisc the secretary of
state that the British government is
exceeding it's rights under the neu-
trality laws in maintaining a military
depot near New Orleans for the ship
ment Of horses. mules and other sup
plies to the British forces in South
Africa. The matter was referred to
the attorney general for his legal opin-
ion, and that official advised that the
complaint of Gov. Heard be investi-
gated. In his letter to Secretary Hay.
the governor of Louisiana said:
'The burghers of South Africa are
making fight for their homes and
their liberties which cannot but ap-
peal ut least to the sense of fair play
of the American people. AS the exec
utive of the commonwealth of Louisi-
ana, whose people have always been
ardent lovers of these boons, 1 cannot
but feel that the establishment and
maintenance of base of war supplies
for the British army upon her soil,
places upon me a grave responsibility.
These mules and horses shipped from
Port Chalmette, it is claimed, are in
dispcnsable to the operations of the
British army. Hence, they must be
considered as contraband of war; Of
greater value than arms or soldiers,
that England can so easily furnish
from within her borders.'
During the past three years, about
100000 horses and mules have been
shipped from New Orleans to South
Africa in British transports, and about
| 1,4OO animals are now awaiting ship
ment at the American port. Chal-
mette Is used as base of supplies,
and recruiting station is maintained
there. William M. Brown, the engi-
necr who went to South Africa to in
vestigate the muleteer matter. says
that recruiting has been going on for
the last eighteen months. and that it
will be surprising to learn the num-
Der of men who have shipped from
this port with signed contract for
enlistment in the British ranks upon
their arrival in some South African
port" He left New Orleans for South
Africa on the steamship DcvOna and
describes what he saw and heard rs
follows:
"Thcre were sixty-iivc men who
signed as muletccrs on the Devona
On board was Lieutenant Stcnt, os
tensibly in charge of the loading OF
the mules, but in reality an Englisl
recruiting officer. On the way dowl
the river lie called the men and toli
them that they would not be allowed
to 80 on shore after the ship landed
unless they were enlisted as soldier.
for the army. Many complained Of
this treatment, but We're told that Il
they attempted to get OH shore with
out being enlisted they would be ar
rested and put in prison. There was
nothing to do but obey. and out of thu
siXty-tive muletcers forty-one of til,
number had signed as enlisted soldiers
for the British army before they hat
reached the mouth of the Mississippi
river"
1t is said that Gen. John r. Brook,
will make an investigation on bchal
| of the government. Col. Crowder, al
army officer from the Department o
the Lakes, is now in the Crescent Cit,
to make an inquiry into the charg
that the English government is main
) tanning a military depot for recruitin:
purposes. Gen. Sir Richard Campbell
Stewart, of the British army, and hi
aids have arrived in New Orleans, an,
t their actions will be closely watched
What the outcome will be, time onl
, can determine.
D There is no doubt, whatever, tina
, the State Department has been in act
i've sympathy with the British iron