Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1902-04-11
GOVERNOR WANTS TO KNOW.
correspondence Between Governor
of Louisiana and state Depart
ment Given to the Public-Inves-
tigation Being Made-Legal Cues
ton Involved.

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 %, touching the conditions at
Chalmette; reply from Secretary
Hay, dated April 4, announcing that
he had ordered an investigation
(Which will be made by an army Of
ficer), 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 statement that he
had received from the mayor of New
Orleans copy of a letter from Secre-
tary Hay calling his attention to a
threat of Samuel, Pearson to "com-
NIT breach of the peace in New Or
leans" and referring that letter to the
mayor for consideration
Mr.. Parsons letter Is one hereto
fore published. dated at New Orleans,
February 1, and addressed to the pres
ident, calling attention to the condi-
ton OF affairs at New Orleans and
Chafmette. The mayor transmitted
the correspondence to the governor of
the state on the ground that the acts
complained Of were committed In the
parish of st. Bernard, out of the juris-
diction of the city authorities. The
governor Immediately wrote to Sheriff
Nunez OF the parish in regard to the
matter. The sheriff's reply, a part
of the governors letter, is dated st.
Bernard, La, February 90. He reports
concisely that mules and horses were
being loaded at Chalmette for the
British government, either directly or
indirectly, but the loading was done by
'longshoremen Of the city of New Or
leans, 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 as a Brit
ish post with men and soldiers, estab-
lished at Port Chalmette. So far as
the recruiting of men Is concerned.
am sure can certify that it is not
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 it is conceded
by the British officers 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.
5ponsibility. These mules and horses
shipped from Port Chalmette are in.
1ispensable to the operations of the
British army. Hence they must he
as contraband of war. of
greater value, 1t seems, for soldiers
England can easily furnish from with.
IN her borders"
me governor gives 1t as his opinion
hat it is the function of the national
government and not Of the state to
ENFORCE obedience of the neutrality
avs, yet If the duty belongs to the
'tate where the violation occurs. he
would not hesitate to act as the law
nay warrant, and calls upon the sec.
'etary OF state for his view on the
natter.
In postscript to his letter, the [
governor reports the arrival In New
orleans OF General Sir Richard Camn-
'ell Stuart and aide of the British
lrmy on a tour Of inspection of the
transport service in the vicinity of
view orleans. He also encloses a mum. c
'er OF newspaper clippings and state. S
nents from individuals as to the oper. II
tlons OF the British remount service G
transcript Of the proceedings in
ourt' and letters from individuals
rotesting against the continuation of
he animal shipments. The most i'm. t
ortant OF these is probably an afi. s
avit OF one Tourenne, setting forth
Is engagement for service on the r
transport Milwaukee, signing articles
efore the British vice consul. being
ssigned to duty by Lieutenant
thompson of the yeomanry of the o
british army, and acting under his n
rders to Cape Town. thence to Dur. a
an, where horses were delivered 70
ritish officers in uniform and where
le men were not allowed to go ashore
unless we would agree to sign with d
he recruiting officer and Join the j
ritish army" "
He also alleges that the Milwaukee,
as commanded by army officers.
Hays Short Answer.
Secretary, Hays letter, in answer =
that of the>governor. says:
II have received your letter of
n