The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-05-26
SHELLS IN
HER CARGO
Accident Gives Surprise
to Master Of the
Heathdene.

of munitions or war, contact eAploSiEC
shells, unloaded, lying on the Long
wharf on the Oakland side of the bay.
The shells are consigned to Kobe,
japan. but were made in Germany"
hence there is a suspicion that thelE
ultimate destination may be VladlVos-
.tok. They were made in the arsenaIs
near Hamburg and if their true des-
tination is Kobe, the Car may ad-
dress a note to his great and good
FRIEND the Kaiser, which will cause
the latter do do some ''eXplanationing-
However as Russia still controls rail
communication with VladivoStokif is not
probable that the consignment would
have been sent this roundabout way,
three-quarters of the way around the
world. when it might have reached its
destination in two weeks or less, if the
case was urgent. unless the saeils are
designed for the Russian fleet, to which
they are to be delivered at sea. But
that be as the future develops, this has
to do with 200,0 900 Or more four point
sevens made in Germany and now lying
on a wharf on the rim of the Western
world. The work of loading these
shells on two steamers began on Thurs
day, but was stopped yesterday, when
the masters of the vessels ascertained
the character of their consignment, the
worst of contraband of war.
Many cars. sealed and in bond from
New York have arrived at Long wharf
within the past week or two. They
were loaded with strong, ironbound
wooden cases. shipped from Hamburg
to Kobe. Japan, marked ..E NJ. Z. II.
H. and invoiced as Manufactures of
Metal" They were unloaded and cord
ed up on the wharf. The British steam
er Heathdene arrived from Honolulu
on May 9Th and when her propeller
ceased it's revolution she was lying "a
longside the wharf and the work of
loading the cases began the next day.
Since the protest from Salvador that
arms and munitions were being ship
ped from here to Guatemala to be used
in revolution in Salvador the in
spectors have been more inquisitive as
to the character of goods for export
passing aboard under their eyes. One
of these inspectors had a curiosity to
see the manufactures of metal that
was not more fully identified. From
one of the cases he drew a four point
seven shell which he sent at once to
the office of his chief, Joseph S. Spear
Jr., Surveyor of Customs. This sample
with the following letter Spear at once
transmitted to Collector Fred S. STRAIT
ton:
Sir: Acting under your instructions
of April II 1905, in re possibilities of
expectations from this port of arms
and munitions of war, as provided
under sections 1900 and 52S6, Revised
Statutes, an inspector has been de-
tailed to lade outward the expectations
on board the British steamer Heath
dene, now loading for Japan direct, at
the Oakland mole railway terminus.
I have to report that there are now
being laden on board the Heathdene
under transportation and expectation
entry No. 1869, per railway via New
York from Hamburg, for Kobe, Japan,
marked e. NJ. E. H. H, 1921 packages
invoiced as Manufactures of Metal"
1t is very evident that they are no
part of electrical machinery. but the
sample is unquestionably contact ex-
plosive dynamite shell. not loaded and
minus steel-piercing cap. which may be
in some of the aforesaid cases aboard.
In view of the facts presented, the
shipment being evidently ammunition
apparatus not specifically designated
in such terms as will determine the
exact character of the consignment. it
is deemed that the shipment may be in
violation of Department of Commerce
and Labor Circular No. 80, Bureau of
on March 26. 1904, as to
the acquiescence in the definition of
what may be construed to be contra
band of war.
THE CAPTAIN Is EXCITED.
Captain Milburn of the Heathdene
was at once notified of the character
Of the goods he was loading and the
slowing was stopped Immediately. He
had had his suspicious when his char
Lerers, the o. & o. Company, instructed
MIN to load the cases on the orlop or
lowest deck and cover them with con-
signments of common merchandise.
bales of cotton, etc. He fastened
across to this side and sought the adj
vice of the British Consul. Mr. Ben
nett sent Vice-Consul Moore and the
captain to the office of Collector STRAIT
ton for a conference for the purpose of
the shipment of the shells,
out this the Collector declined to do. as
heir transportation was not a viola
ion of the neutrality laws. The Col
ector then sent the following letter to
surveyor Spear:
Acknowledging your letter of this
late regarding 2527 packages invoiced
rs Manufactures of Metal" but being
n effect empty contact explosive dyna-
mite shells now loading on the steamer
4eathdene for Japan direct I have to
idvise you as follows: Such shells con-
'titute contraband of war. but there is
10 inhibition of their expectation from
he United States.
SHIPMENT IS REFUSED.
Being advised of this fact, the mas
er of the Heathdene then went over
is charter again and decided that he
would refuse the shipment. He says
hat his charter expressly excludes all !
of war and that under this .
Ia no hos a of