Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-06
KNOX ON BRITISH CAMP CASE
Attorney General Finds No Positive Evil
denOe as Basis Of Ruling.
CoUNstLs DELIBERATE COURSE OF ACTION
Points out that shipping Live stock
20 T%rRnsvnnI May lie Legitimate
Commerce, but Admits
of Question.

WASHINGTON. April 5.-The State de-
partment today made public the CORES
pondence that has so far taken place be.
tween the United states government and the
governor Of Louisiana, representing the lat
ter's statement regarding the shipment oil
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 let
ter is one from the governor Of Louisiana,
dated March 20. touching the conditions at
~Chalmette, a reply from Secretary Hay,
dated April 4, announcing that he had or
dered an investigation (Which will be made
by an army oflcer), and a long opinion
from the attorney general on the legal
points involved in the Chalmette shipments.
Governor Heard's letter has already been
outlined in the press dispatches. He be-
gins with a statement that he had received
from the mayor Of New Orleans a copy OF A
letter from Secretary Hay calling his at
tention to a threat Of General Pearson to
commit a breach OF the peace in New Or
leans. and referring that letter to the mayor
for consideration.
Mr.. PearsOn's Letter.
Mr.. Parsons letter is one heretofore
published, dated at New Orleans, February
1. and addressed to the president, calling
attention to the conditions at New Orleans
and Chalmette. The mayor transmitted this
correspondence to the governor Of the state
on the grounds that the acts complained Of
were permitted ia the parish OF st. Ber-
nard, out Of the jurisdiction of the city au-
thorities. The governor Immediately wrote
to Sheriff Nunez Of that parish in regard
to the matter.
The sharif's raply a rort - A. -.
ernor's letter, is dated st. Bernard. La.
February 20. He reports concisely that
mules and horses were being loaded at
Chalmette for the British government,
either directly or indirectly, but the load
ing was done by 'longshoremen Of the city
of New Orleans, supervised by Engllshmen,
who might or might not be officers of the
British army. Certainly there was no one
there In uniform. In conclusion the sheriff
says:
No Such Post There.
There is no such thing as a British post
With men and soldiers established at Port
Chalmette. SO far as the recruiting Of men
u concerned, l am sure l can certify that
II Is not being done in the parish of st.
Bernard. As understand. the only men
taken on the ships are the muleteers. who
are employed in the city OF New Orleans.
have always .~endeavored to enforce OBJ
servanee OF the laws of this state, as well
- ~ hHC Aa"9 VI AAt 1llltu DldIeE, ana
therefore should you inform me that such
shipments are contrary to the law, l will
certainly prevent any further violation OF
the law.
Governor Heard says II is conceded by
the British officers themselves that the ami
mails were for the British army in South
Africa. He says: ..
The burghers of South Africa are making
a hight for their homes and their liberty,
which, cannot but appeal to the sense Of
fair nlaV NJ tho Araarfaa~ AaNI. " a..
executive of the commonwealth of Louisi-
ana, whose people have always been ardent
lovers s. or these po0ns. cannot but feel
for the British army upon her soil places
upon me a grave responsibility. These
mette, as claimed, are indispensable to the
operations of the British army. Hence,
war, Of greater value than arms or soldiers.
that England can so easily furnish from
within her borders.
Function of the Nation.
The governor says It is his opinion that
II Is the function of the national govern
ment and not Of the state to enforce obedi-
ence TO the neutrality laws; yet II such
duty belongs to the state where the viola
tion occurs he would not hesitate to act as
the law may warrant and calls on the sec
rotary Of state for his views in the matter.
In a postscript to his letter the governor
reports the arrival in New Orleans Of Gen
eral Sir Richard Campbell Stuart, an aide
of the British army on a tour of inspection
of the transport service in the vicinity OF
New Orleans. He also encloses a number
OF newspaper clippings and statements from
individuals as to the operations OF the
British remount service, a transcript of the
proceedings in court and a number OF let
ters from individuals. protesting against
the continuation Of the animal shipments.
The most important OF these probably is
IN af1davit OF one Tourren, 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 Durham,
where horses were delivered to British on
GERS In uniforms and where the men were
not allowed to go ashore ''unless we would
agree to sign with the recruiting officer
and Join the British army"
Secretary Hays letter in answer to that
from the governor says:
I have received your letter of the 10Th OF
March and submitted 1t to tho president,