The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-12
The Mule Of ChaImette
May Kick Up an
International Robbery.
A Journal Correspondent Visits the British Camp in
Louisiana Whence Many Thousands Of Mules and
Horses Have Been Shipped to South Africa.

Correspondence OF The Journal.
New Orleans, La, April 10.-Thls some
Zines tempestuous, but usually peaceful
and placid city can be depended upon to
FURNISH the most unusual sensations on
the shortest notice. Just now the one
topic Is the mule of Chalmette. The mule
OF Chalmette. since Governor Heard de-
clared the British are maintaining an
army post on American soil, has filled the
public eye; while if one is to judge by the
Washington reports he is likely to be
brought into international prominence be-
fore the matter is settled.
To an on-looker it appears clear that
If Governor Heard had declared this fact
year ago and if the declaration had been
followed up by congressional or presi-
Dental affirmation, the war in South AZ
RIGA might have been ended months ago.
Great Britain could, perhaps, have car
ried on her war on the Beers without
mules, but the chances are that the cut
ting off of this base of supplies would
have crippled her. Since the war broke
out there have been shipped from this
port to South Africa over 100000 mules
and horses. The mules were not at first
picked up at haphazard selection, but
were choice. prime animals capable of do
ing no end of hard work and able to en-
dure climatic conditions that a horse
could not stand. OF late things have
changed.
The first cargo of mules shipped out Of
New Orleans for South Africa was on Oct.
10, 1899. The steamer Prah carried b7l OF
them, with 26 tons of bran, 179 tons Of
hay, and 1000 bushels of oats to feed
them on their stormy way. Since that
date the shipments have been from five
to fifteen per month, the number OF mules
running all the way from TOO or 800 up to
1000 per ship One ship took 1850 mules
with fodder enough to bring the cargo up
to a value Of 1924 SAT. 1t is impossible
to tell the precise amount of money the
British have spent in New Orleans, but it
reaches millions. The mules and horses
alone have cost at least $1,75O,OOO. The
largest shipment of coal ever made at one
time in the history of the world was from
Pittsburg to New Orleans some months
ago, a round million of tons In one lot.
this vast amount being intended to sup
ply the British mule transports. Literal
ly millions of dollars, how many can
not say but it must run close up to ten
or twelve of them, have been spent in New
Orleans and at Chalmette In the equip
ping OF stock yards, the wages of an army
OF laborers, salaries OF veterinary sur
geons, wages Of ship carpenters and ma
chnists, to say nothing OF the salaries
of the British officers who have super
intended the shipment. One may form
some idea of the magnitude of this traf-
fic when one takes into consideration the
fact that over 900, 900 bushels of oats have
been sent on board these ships. Taking
the financial side of the question Into
consideration it would not be strange II
there should be certain apathy on the
part of residents of New Orleans as to
the possible illegalty of these shipments
for It has meant much to them financially
and yet | doubt if there are many resi-
dents outside of those Of British birth
who do not fall heartily in with the
sentiments of one Of the leading dailies
the Times Democrat, WHICH FEW morn
ings ago said:
Investigation has at length proved beyond
shadow OF doubt what every one here ha:
Individually believed for two years, namely
that the soil of Louisiana is being perverted
into means by which powerful nation ma!
work Its merciless will upon numerically