The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-19
Agent at Chicago Writes to
Roosevelt Regarding the
Mule Markets
CITES MANY TREATIES
Claims That the Traffic in the United
States by British Officers Is in
Direct Violation of Past
of Washington.

CHICAGO, April 1S-Peter van V1issen-
gen, who has been one of the most active
agents of the Beers in Chicago, today
sent President Roosevelt an open letter
advancing an argument against the Brit
ish mule traffic in the United States. He
declares that the traffic is in violation of
the treaty of Washington.
article of that treaty" the letter
reads, lays down three rules by which
arbitrator are to be governed The sec
ond rule declares a neutral government
is bound not to permit or suffer either
belligerent to make use of it's ports or
waters as the base of naval operations
against the other, or for the purpose Of
renewal or augmentation of military sup
plies or arms or the recruitment of
men, .
Further along the letter says:
Great Britain made no scruple of as
serting the terms of the treaty Of Wash
ington against this country upon the first
and only occasion when our government
was at war with a foreign state. April
rs, 1898, the day after war was declared
between the United States and Spain,
Queen Victoria issued a proclamation Of
neutrality, insisting upon the observance
of the treaty.
Great Britain insists that her ports
and waters shall not be used to abet the
military activity of belligerent powers.
and we now request the enforcement Of
this rule"
BY the classification prepared by the
state department published by Secretary
Long June 20, 1888, in his instruct ons
to blockading vessels and cruisers" (gen-
eral order 1872, paragraph 1917, horses are
designated as absolutely contra band" Of
war.
IF additional argument We're needed
to prove that horses have been consider
ed contraband of war by the United
States government, the following in
stances in which they have been SO class
ed might be cited: In the treaty be
tween the United States and Bolivia
Creates and conventions 1889, page -,
article II, horses with their furniture are
comprehended as contraband Cf war.
In the following other treaties a similar
specification is made.
Treaty between United States and
Brazil CREATES and conventions, 1889, page
1867, article Is.
Treaty between United States and Co
lombia CREATES and conventions, 1889,
page 1860, article IT,
Treaty between United States and Hayti
Creates and conventions, 1889, page 551),
article 20.
Treaty between United States and Peru
Creates and conventions, 1889 page 1870,
article 1S
Treaty between United States and
Sweden and Norway treaties and con-
ventions, 1889, page 1922 article g.
Mr.. van Vlissengen has been at work
for months preparing material for this
letter. He concludes with a request that
the president give the matter earnest
consideration and early attention
NEW ORLEANS, April 1S.-Gen. Sam
uel Pearson, the Boer commander, who
IS fighting the expectation of horses and
mules to the British army in South
Africa, finished his testimony today be-
fore Col. Crowder, U. S. A., the investi-
eating officer, and furnished him with
additional evidence in support of his CEN
tentions. He gave him the names Of
three Americans who were solicited to,
or did. enlist in the British army, at
the solicitation of British officers.
Gen. Pearson spent the morning at
Camp Chalmette, and reported his obser-
yations to Col. Crowder, and will trans
nit them to his own government Three
transports are now waiting to take horses
and mules to South Africa Col. Crow
der, it is expected, will finish up the In
vestigation tomorrow.