The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1902-04-12
ARE HORSES C0NTRABAhD? /?
GOVERNOR WANTS TO KNOW
Correspondence Between Governor
of LOuisiana and state Depart-
ment Given to the Public-Inves-
tiEatiOn Being Made-Legal Ques-
tlOn Involved.

spOndence that has so far taken place
between the United States govern
nent and the governor of Louisiana
the latter's statement
the shipment Of live stock
and supplies for the British army in
South Africa from ChalmetteS La.
There are three principal letters and
q number Of appendices.
The principal letters are one from
tho governor of Louisiana, dated
March 2s, 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 a 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 a 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.. Pearson's letter is one hereto
fore published, dated at New Orleans 4
February 1, and addressed to the pres
ident, calling attention to the condi-
ton Of affairs at New Orleans and
Chalmette. The mayor transmitted
the correspondence to the governor Of
the state on the ground that the acts
complained of we're 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, part
of the governors letter, is dated st.
Bernard, La, February 2S. 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 Brit
ish post, with men and soldiers. estab-
lished at Port Chalmette. So far as
the recruiting Of men is concerned, !
am sure l 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
the animals were for the British army
tn 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
Az 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 base ol
war supplies for the British army up
on our soil places upon me grave re
sponsibility. These mules and horses
shipped from Port Chalmette are in
dispensable to the operations of thu
British army. Hence they must b
considered as contraband Of war, o
greater value, it seems, for soldier
England can easily furnish from with
in her borders"
The governor gives 1t as his opinion
that 1t is the function Of the nationa
government and not of the state t
enforce obedience of the neutralit
laws, yet if the duty belongs to tn
state where the violation occurs, h
would not hesitate to act as the LAY
may warrant, and calls upon the SCI
retary of state for his view on tn
matter.
In a postscript to his letter, tn
governor reports the arrival in Me-
Orleans of General Sir Richard CAM
bell Stuart and aide of the BIRTHS
army on a tour of inspection Of th
transport service in the vicinity {
New Orleans. He also encloses nun
ber of newspaper clippings and stat
ments from individuals as TO the ope
ations of the British remount servic
transcript Of the proceedings
court, and letters from individual
protesting against the continuation I
the animal shipments. The most ir
portant of these is probably an af
davit Of one Tourenne, setting fort
his engagement for service on tt
transport Milwaukee, signing article
before the British vice consul, beir
assigned to duty by Lieutenal
Thompson of the yeomanry of Il
British army. and acting under h
orders to Capo Town, thence to Du
ban. where horses we're delivered
British officers in uniform and wle
the men were not allowed to 60 ashoI