Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1902-04-09
ARE HORSES CONTRABAND l?
GOVERNOR WANTS TO KNOW.
Correspendence Between Governor
of Louisiana and state Depart
ment Given to tho PubIic-Inves-
tigatiOn Being Made-LegaI Ques-
tion Involved.

b"' htAo pubilS tuS COli e
spondence that has SO far taken place
between the United States govern
ment and the governor OF Louisiana
concerning the latter's statement
touching the shipment Of live stock
and supplies for the British army In
South Africa from Chalmette. La
There are three principal letters and
a number of appendices.
The principal letters are one from
The governor Of Louisiana. dated
March rs. touching the conditions al
Chalmette; reply from Secretary
Hay, dated April 4. announcing that
he had ordered an investigation
(which will be made by an army of
ncer). 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
He begins with a statement that he
had received from the mayor OF New
Orleans a copy Of a letter from Secre
AIRY Hay calling his attention to o
threat Of Samuel Pearson to com
init breach of the peace in New Or
'eans.' and referring that letter to the
mayor for consideration.
Mr.. Pearson's letter is one hereto
FORE published, dated at New Orleans
february 1, and addressed to the pres
dent, calling attention to the condi
ion Of affairs at New Orleans and
Chalmette. The mayor transmitted
he correspondence to the governor oil
he state on the ground that the acts
complained Of were committed in tn,
parish of st. Bernard, out of the juris
LECTION of the city authorities. The
governor Immediately wrote to Sheriff,
Nunez Of the parish in regard to the
natter. The sheriff's reply, part
If the governors letter, is dated st
Bernard, La. February 90. He reports
oncisely that mules and horses were
being loaded at Chalmette for the
British government, either directly OF
Indirectly. but the loading was done b,
'ongshoremen OF the city OF New Or
leans. supervised by Engllshmen, who
night or might not be officers of the
British army. Certainly there was NJ
one there In uniform. In conclusion
he sherff says:
There is no such thing as a Brit
sh post. with men and soldiers, estab
lshed at Port Chalmette. So far a.
he recruiting OF men Is concerned, j
am sure | can certify that II Is no'
being done in the parish OF ST. Ber
nard As I understand. the only men
taken on the ships are the muleteers
who are employed in the city of New
Orleans"
Governor Heard says II Ia conceded
by the British ofiicers themselves that
the animals were for the British army
In South Africa. Says he: "The bur
ghers of South Africa are making a
fight for their homes and their liberty
which can not but appeal to the sense
of fair play OF the American people
As the executive OF the commonwealth
OF Louisiana. whose people have al
ways been ardent lovers Of the Beers
can not but feel that the establish
ment and maintenance OF a base OF
war supplies for the British army up
on our soil places upon me a grave re
sponsibility. These mules and horses
shipped from Port Chalmette are In
dispensable to the operations of the
British army. Hence they must be
considered as contraband OF war, OF
greater value, 1t seems, for soldiers
England can easily furnish from with
In her borders"
The governor gives 1t as his opinion
that 1t Is the function OF the national
government and not OF the state &C
enforce obedience OF the neutrality
laws, yet II the duty belongs to the
state where the violation occurs, he
would not hesitate to act as the Law
may warrant. and calls upon the sec
retary OF state for his view on the
matter.
In a postscript to his letter, the
governor reports the arrival In New
Orleans of General Sir Richard Camp
bell Stuart and aide OF the British
army on q tour of inspection OF the
transport service in the vicinity OF
New Orleans. He. also encloses a mum
Der Of newspaper clippings and state
ments from individuals as 10 the oper
ations of the British remount service
q transcript Of the proceedings In
court. and letters from individuals
protesting against the continuation oi
the animal shipments. The most i'm
portant of these 10 probably an an
davit of one Tourenne, 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 yeomanry OF the
British army, and acting under his
orders to Cape Town. thence to Dur
ban. where horses were delivered Z
British ofiicers in uniform and where
the men were not allowed to 60 ashore
unless we would agree to sign will
the recruiting officer and Join tn,
British army"
He also alleges that the milwaukee,
was commanded by army officers.
Hays Short Answer.
Secretary Hays letter. In answer
to that Of the governor. says:
81 have received your letter o
March 20 and submitted II to the pres
ident. who directs me TO inform 20,
that he has requested an opinion from
- asaaral In rAaard IA l..