Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1894, With the Annual Message of the President, Transmitted to Congress, December 3, 1894

Mr. Uhl to Mr. Haentjens.

Department of State,
Washington, March 5, 1894.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 27th ultimo, in regard to an alleged violation of the neutrality laws of the United States by the American steam yacht Natalie, which is reported to have clandestinely shipped munitions of war at Savannah, Ga., and to have sailed from that port without manifest or other papers, her final destination being the coast of Haiti, where it is proposed to land these munitions and Haitian insurgents who had taken refuge in Jamaica. You inclose a letter from Mr. A. L. Farie, of Savannah, reciting particulars, and you ask that the necessary measures be taken to check the attempted violation of international law.

A copy of your note and of its inclosure has this day been communicated to the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney-General.

I note your statement that you have not considered it necessary to procure affidavits to substantiate the statements concerning the cargo shipped at Savannah. In similar cases it has been deemed well that due showing under oath should be made by some person having knowledge of the facts claimed to constitute the violation of law. The Natalie being now without the jurisdiction of the United States, can not be pursued on the high seas or into a foreign port.

Accept, etc.,

Edwin F. Uhl,
Acting Secretary.