The Washington times., 1902-06-06
Conditions at Port Chal-
mette Approved by
Secretary Hay.
SHIPMENTS WERE WITHIN USAGE
Report of Colonel Crowder on Situation
Forwarded to Congress-Claims of
General Pearson Not Sustained by the
Investigation.

In response to a resolution recently
adopted, the President yesterday sent
to the House the report of Colonel
Crowder On the British supply camp in
Louisiana. Accompanying the report is
letter from Secretary Hay. who takes
very decided stand upon the subject,
holding that there has been absolutely
no violation of the laws of neutrality.
He further states that the charge made
by General Pearson, the quartermaster
of the Boer army, and the Beer legis
latiye committee in Philadelphia, that
the British officers had enlisted men in
this country must be considered as IN
proved, and without the slightest pre-
tense of justification or proof.
Colonel Crowder's report is an elab-
crate presentation of the conditions ex-
listing at Chalmette. He sums up his
findings of fact under six heads, which
are substantially as follows:
! One-The British remount commits
sion, officers of which arc operating and
directing purchases and shipments Of
reau of the English army administra-
ton.
Two-As organized by these officers,
Chalmette station is governmental
shipping agency for but enc class of
military supplies. 1t has not the char
acter of base of military supplies, nor
military camp, or post.
Three-No attempts to recruit to the
British army have been made at Chal-
mette station. nor does the evidence
disclose any such attempts at other
points in the United States. A few
muletecrs we're recruited. but this was
against the orders of the British gov
eminent
Four-All shipments have been from
the port of New Orleans to South Afri-
can ports, upon vessels chartered by the
British admiralty, under ordinary com
mercial charters.
Aggregate Transactions.
Five-The transactions of the COM
mission aggregate 1883. $50, from Oc
tober. 1899, to March, 1902, with an
average monthly value of s597,978. The
total shipments are given at $685.
! horses and 75,10S mules, sixty-five diff
ferent vessels being engaged in the
trade. making 166 voyages.
Six-All supplies have been for the
use OF the English army prosecuting
hosulitics in South Africa, the trade
having no CN.stcace prior to the war.
Colonel CTowGer adds that the port
f,r,1,-
Is g. to supply the Spanish army then
engaged in prosecuting hostilities in
Cuba.
Secretary Hay. in letter to the Gov
ernor of Louisiana. dated June last,
sums up the main facts as found by
Colonel Crowdcr. and also gives the
rules OF international usage respecting
tho sale OF goods 20 parties at war. Mr.
Hay says the serious point in the charges
submitted by Mr.. Pearson. and by the
BOer legislative committee, of Philadol-
phia. was the allegation that the Brit
ish authorities had enlisted men in this
country for service in South Africa.
The Government made particular efforts
to find ont il there was any basis for
this charge, but Colonel CTOwder's re
port shows that not a single instance
could be discovered by him. Moreover
the Attorney General Oh May u, niue
request or the Boer legislative com
uittcc for evidence which would sub
stantIate this charge. but received no
Information from them on this point.
MIR Hay says that this charge must be
considered not only as improved, but as
having been made without the slightest
Irrotonse OF Justification or proof. Con-
tnuing. he said:
Acting as Purchasing Agents.
What has been found is that certain
officers Of the British army, acting in
the capacity Of purchasing agents and
inspectors. have been engaged in the
work OF buying. collecting, and inspect
ing horses and mules at different places
in the United States and shipping them
from Chalmette to South Africa. There
have been thirteen Of these officers. The
British government some time since or
dcrcd the recall Of all OF them.
The men employed under them have
all been Americans. The shipments
OF mules and horses have been