The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-06

" @AAoIIA~NO O-Ns ApIll O-ln response
to Gov. Heards request for a statement
of the law bearing upon the operations
Of the British officers at ChaImette. La,
Secretary Hay has responded, by direc-
ton Of the president, that he has ordered
thorough investigation to be made into
the operations at the camp.
The secretary has received an opinion
from the attorney general upon the pure
ly legal aspects of the case, which is
on exact lines with the policy heretofore
pursued by the department in this mat
ter.
The state department today made public
correspondence that has so far taken
place between the United States govern
ment and the governor Of Louisiana, rep
1esenting 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 letter is from the gov
ernor Of Louisiana, dated March 70,
touching the conditions at Chalmette; a
reply from Secretary Hay, dated April 4,
announcing that he had ordered an in
Vestigation (Which will be made by an
army ofllceD; and a long opinion from
the attorney general on the legal points
AAlNOlNCNA IL Tie 0IlIlilGAJG SIlpIlClllS.
Gov. Heard's letter has already been
outlined in the press dispatches. He be-
gins with a statement that he had re-
ceived from the mayor Of New Orleans
a copy Of a letter from Secretary Hay
calling his attention TO a threat of Sam
uel Pearson ito commit a breach Of the
peace in New Orleans" and referring
that letter to the mayor for considera-
ton Mr.. Pearson's letter is one hereto
fore published dated New Orleans, Feb
I, and addressed to the president, calling
attention to the condition of affairs at
New Orleans and Chalmette.
Sheriff Enters Il Denial.
The mayor transmitted this correspond
ence to the governor on the ground 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
matter The sheriff's reply-part of the
governors letter-is dated st. Bernard,
La, Feb. Is.
The sheriff reported concise1y 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 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 as a British
| pest, with men and soldiers established a
Port Chalmette SO far as the recruiting
| of men is concerned, / am sure / car
| certify that it is not being done in tn
| parish Of St Bernard. AS I understand
| the only men taken on the ships are tn
/ muleteers, who are employed in the cit!
| Of New Orleans.
| Il have always endeavored to enforce
observance to the laws Of this state. a!
well as to the laws of the United States
| and, therefore, should you inform me tina
said shipments are contrary TO the law,
/ will certainly prevent any further viola
| ton Of the law
| Governor Wants Status Fixed.
| Gov Heard says 1t is conceded by th'
I British officers themselves that the ami
mails were for the British army in Soutl
! Africa. He continues:
1.-THE burghers of South Africa are max
/ ing a fight for their homes and their lib
I erty which cannot but appeal at least Z
/ the sense Of fair play Of the American
! people. As the executive of the common
wealth Of Louisiana, whose people hay
I always been ardent lovers of these boons
/ I cannot but feel that the establishment
/ and maintenance of a base Of war sup
! plies for the British army upon her sol
place upon me grave responsibility
4 These mules and horses shipped from
\ Port Chalmette as claimed, are indispen
I sable to the operations Of the British
army Hence they must be considered al
4 contraband Of war, Of greater value tnaI
! arms or soldiers that England can s.
! easily furnish from within her own Dor
| ders."
/ The governor says it is his opinion tina
+ it is the function Of the national govern
/ ment, and not Of the state, to enforc'
/ obedience to the neutrality laws; yet, 4
! such duty belongs to the state where th'
/ violation occurs. he would not hesitate t
! act as the law may warrant, and he call
Connnucd on seventh rnge.