Mr. Choate to Mr. Hay.
London, March 7, 1900.
(Mr. Choate reports that Lord Salisbury says the British Government are prepared to buy flour owned by United States citizens which was taken out of the Beatrice, paying the price it would have brought at Lourenço Marquez the date it would have reached there if the ship’s voyage had not been interrupted; and that they are willing to accept the intermediation of the United States consul in consummating the purchase, under the conditions set forth in Lord Salisbury’s note to Mr. Choate of February 9, but that clear evidence of title of United States citizens to the goods must be furnished, and it must be known to whom the purchase money should be paid, before the transaction can be completed.
Mr. Choate assumes that all claims for damages to the goods will be covered by the price mentioned, should it be accepted.)