Mr. White to Mr.
Hay.
American Embassy,
London, March 15,
1900.
No. 283.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 278 of the
10th instant, I have the honor to inclose herewith the copy of a note
which I have received from the Marquis of Salisbury with reference to
the proposed purchase by Her Majesty’s Government of the flour shipped
by the Pennsylvania Milling Company on the steamships Mashona, Beatrice, and Maria.
I have, etc.,
[Page 609]
[Inclosure.]
Foreign Office, March 10, 1900.
Sir: I have had the honor to receive Mr.
Choate’s notes of the 26th ultimo and of the 1st instant respecting
flour exported to South Africa by the Pennsylvania Milling Company
and shipped by the Mashona, the Beatrice, and the Maria.
Mr. Choate is already aware that Her Majesty’s Government are
prepared to purchase this flour on the ground that it is neutral
owned, and I have already asked the secretary of state for the
colonies to ascertain for what price these several consignments
could have been sold at Lourenco Marquez on the days respectively on
which they would have been landed there had the voyages of the ships
named not been interrupted.
It appears to me that the settlement of this case would be hastened
if you could give me an assurance that the flour is now owned by the
Pennsylvania Milling Company and that you are willing to receive the
purchase money, payable when its amount has been ascertained, and to
give a receipt for it. This arrangement would, however, in the case
of the flour shipped by the Mashona, be
subject to an order releasing the flour being made by the prize
court.
I have, etc.,
