The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-04-06
Attorney General Knox on Shipment of
Horses to South Africa.
EACH NEUTRALITY CASE IS INDEPENDENT.
Furnishing Aid for Land Forces Appears to Him to
Be on All Fours With Furnishing Assistance
the Fleets of a BelIigerent.

enca that has so Tar taken place petHefh
the United States government and the gov
ernor Of Louisiana respecting the lAtter's
statement touching the shipment or I've
stock and supplies for the British army In
South Africa from Chalmette, La. There
are three principal letters and number
Of appendices. The principal letter Is
one from the governor Of Louisiana, dated
March 20, touching the conditions az Chal-
mette; a reply from Secretary Hay dated
April T. announcing that he had ordered
an Investigation (which Will be made by
an army offceD and long opinion from
the attorney general on the legal points
involved In the Chalmette shipments
Governor Heard'5 letter already mas been
outlined IN the press dispatches. He be-
gins with statement that he had received
from the mayor OF New Orleans a copy
Of letter from Secretary Hay calling his
attention 10 a threat OF Samuel Pearson
to commit breach OF the peace In New
Orleans" and referring that letter 70 the
mayor for consideration. Mr.. Pearsou's
letter Is one heretofore published, datnd 40
New Orleans, February I, and addressed
u the president. calling attention to the
condition of affairs at New orleans and
Chaimette. The mayor transmitted this
correspondence 10 the governor ~ the
state on the ground that the acts com
planned ~ were permitted In tho parish "
81. Bernard. ont Of the jurisdiction Of the
city authorities The governor wrote 10
Sheriff Sunez ~ that parish I'm regard 20
abe matter. The sherih's rcpiy-a part Of
the governors letter-is dated ST.. Bernard,
February 2s and reports that c7n7isu
rents 81 mules and horses were being
boaded at Cbalmetts for the British gov
eminent either directly or indirectly. that
the loading was done By longshoremen ~
the city Of Now Orleans supervised by
Engiishmsn VINO night or might NOT Ne
eFheers Of tina army Certainly thare WIS
no ous there 10 Uniform Ia conclusion
II ssvs- There rs no s1ch thing u
Britsa post With men and soldiers estab.
hshsa ar Port Caaimette 30 ian as t6s
recruiting Of men is concerned, z am sure
J. car certify that ~ is not being done i'm
the parish q a.. Bernard. As r rnder-
stand ths only msn taken On ths ships are
tha mu!eteers. who are employed 20 the
city Of New Orleans 7 nave nlwsys en-
desvored 10 enforce observance Of the laws
81 this State as well as Of the laws Of
the United States. therefore, should you
inform me that said shipments are con
trary 70 the Law VIII certainly prevent
any further vioisttoa Of the law"
Governor Heard says It Is conceded by
the British officers themselves tAat the
auimsls were for the British army 10 South
Africa
BE says. TIE burghsrs o. South Africa
are making : hght for their homes and
taeir liberty, which caa not but appeal at
least 70 the sense Of fair play OF The aimee
team people. As the executive Of the con.
manwoslth Of Louisiana, whose people have
always been ardent lovers OF these blooms
eaE not but Zee that the establishments
and maintenance Of 9 base OF war supplies
Cor the British army upon her sou places
upon me grave responsibility These
mules and horses shipped from Port Chal-
rastte. as claimed, are indispensable to 'ne
operations Of the British army Hence
they must be considered as contraOand OF
var Of greater value than arms or soldiers,
that England can so easily furnish from
within her borders
The governor says It Is his opinion that
h Is the function OF the National govern
ment and not Of the State 10 enforce
obedience 20 the neutrality laws; yet, II
such duty belongs o the state whore the
violation occurs, he would not hesitate "a
net as the law may warrant. and calls en-
the secretary of state for his views ip the
matter.
In a postscript to this, tho governor re
ports the arrival In New Orleans OF General
Sir Richard Campbell Stewart, an aide Of
tbs British army. on tour OF inspection
VI the transport service, in tho vicinity OF
Kew Orleans. He also incloses a number
% Newspaper clippings and statements
krsm individuals as 20 the operations OF
HE BatiSh remount service, a Transcripts
II the proceedings In court, Rad 4 number
sf letters from individuals protesting
against tina continuation OF the animal
shipments. The most important OF these
10 probably enc AFFIDAVIT Of one Torres. set.
Ding fsrth his engagement for service on
ne transport Milwaukee, signing articles
before the British vice consul being as.
siEnsd 70 dNty By Lieutenant Thompson OF
me XeomARry u the BFI.ssh army aud act
ag under his orders, went TO cepetoWn,
thsnee 70 Durham. where horses were do
iiyersd to British onicers In uniform and
where the meA were not allowed 10 a
ashore ''unlsss we would agree to sign with
ths recruiting ofieer ana Join thu British
army" He also alleged that the Mllwau
kse was commanded by army orieerS
In reply to the governor, Secretary Hay
statess
II have received your letter OF the 2ott
Of March and submitted Il to the president
who directs me 10 inform you that he hal
requested an opinion from the attorney
general In regard 70 the points OF law IN
volved in matter to which II refers and ha,
also ordered an Immediate Investigation OF
the facts In the case"
The attorney generals epinien Is dated
April 4 He says:
at seems necessary TO say nothing az q
She duties and powers OF the State ofncials
except that they Involve, OF course, the
exercise Of usual civil means Of preserving
the peace In the improbable event OF ia
breach In tho manners supposed to be sug
gested BY Pearson. I can not believe that
fhl latter eontemplates taking the law into
hhI own hands In defiance Of the state and
ESlderal governments, nor does he threaten
al act without the presidents permission,
which Il Is neecless 20 say he will not re-
scive. Nor can I believe that he expects
glny such permission. His object Is doubt
less 10 bring forclbly 10 the attention OF
the government what he considers the pro.
qeedinga Of the British to be equivalent 10
Marrying on war upon our territory"
Ehs attorney general says that the prin.
sznsi qusstisR. and delicate enc, "a vhsth.