Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-07
THE CHALMETTE CAMP
CORRESPONDENCE ON THE SUB
JECT PUBLISHED.
Views Of the Attorney General-Each
Alleged Violation Of Neutrality
Must Be Taken Up Separately.

The State Department has made public
the correspondence that has so far taken
place between the United States govern
ment and the government of Louisiana re-
specting the latter's statement touching the
shipment Of live stock and supplies for the
British army in South Africa from Chal-
mette, La. There are three principal let
tiers and a number of appendices. The
principal letters are one from the governor
of Louisiana, dated March 90 touching the
conditions at Chalmette;sa reply from Sec
rotary Hay, dated April 4, announcing that
he had ordered an Investigation, which will
be made by an army officer, and long
discussion by the Attorney Genral Of the
legal points involved In the Chalmette ship
mentS.
Gov. Heard's Letter.
Governor Heard's letter already has been
outlined in The Star. He begins with
statement that he has received from the
mayor Of New Orleans copy Of a letter
from Secretary Hay calling his attention to
threat Of Samuel Pearson ito commit a
breach of the peace in New Orleans and
referring that letter to the mayor for con-
sideration. Mr.. Pearsons letter Is one
heretofore published, dated at New Orleans,
February /, and addressed to the President,
calling attention to the condition Of affairs
at New Orleans and Chalmette.
The mayor transmitted this correspond
ence to the governor Of the state the
grounds that the acts complained Of were
permitted in the parish OF st. Bernard, out
of the jurisdiction of the city authorities.
The governor Immediately wrote to Sheriff
Nunez Of that parish in regard to the mat
ter. The sheriff's reply-a part of the gov
errors letter-is dated st. Bernard, La,
February 70. He reports concisely that
mules and horses were being loaded at
rhoIr Pnp fhn rjf 3cfa
either directly or indicetly, but the loading
was done by longshoremen Of the city of
New Orleans. supervised by Englishmen.
who might or might not be officers OF the
British army. Certainly, there was no one
there in uniform. In conclusion the sheriff
says:
There is no such thing at British post
with men and soldiers established at Port
Chalmette So far as the recruiting OF men
is concerned. am sure can certify that 1t
Is not being done in the parish Of st. Ber-
nard AS understand, the only men taken
on the ships are the muleteers who are en-
ployed in the city of New Orleans.
II have always endeayored to enforce
obedience to the laws Of this state, as well
as to the laws Of the United States. and,
therefore. should you inform me that such
certainly prevent any further violation of
said law"
A Grave Responsibility.
the British officers themselves that the
animals were for the British army in South
Africa Says he: = -
1.-THE burghers Of South Africa are max
ing fight for their homes and their lib
critics, which cannot but appeal, at least,
to the sense of fair play Of the American
people. AS the executive Of the common
wealth of Louisiana. whose, people have al
ways been ardent lovers Of these boons, I
cannot but feel that the establishment and
maintenance of base of war supplies for
the British army. upon her soil, place upon
me grave responsibility. These mules
and horses shipped. from Port Chalmette, 1t
is claimed, are Indispensable to the opera
rations of the British army. Hence, they
must be considered as contraband of war,
of greater value than arms or soldier that
England can so easily furnish from within
her borders" 20
The governor says it Is his opinion that 1t
Is the function Of the national government,
and not OF the state, to enforce obedience
to the neutrality laws: We, If such duty
belongs to the state where the violation oc-
ours he would not hesitate to act as the
law may warrant, and calls on the Secreta-
ry of State for his views in the matter.
In a postscript to his letter. the governor
reports the arrival in New Orleans Of Gen.
Sir Richard Campbell Stuart, an aid of the
British army, on a tour OF inspection Of the
transport service In the vicinity of New
Orleans. He also incloses a number of
newspaper clippings and statements from
individuals as to the operations Of the Brit
tsh remount service. transcript OF the pro-
ceeedings in court, and number Of letters
from individuals protesting against the con-
tinuation of the animal shipments. The
most important OF these probably is an affi-
davit Of one Tourrers, setting Forth his en-
gagement for service on the transport MIL
waukee, signing articles before the British
vice consul, being assigned to duty by Lieu
tenant Thompson OF the yeomanry of the
British army. and acting under his orders
to Cape Town, thence to Durham where
horses were delivered to British officers in
uniform, and where the men were not AL
lowed 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
officers.
Secretary Hays letter In answer to that
from the governor, says:
. have received your letter of the 18th of