[Inclosure.]
Mr. Oliver
to Mr. Hay.
War Department,
Washington, July 25, 1904.
Sir: I have the honor to quote the
following telegram received to-day:
“New York, July 25, 1904.
“United States, War
Department, Washington D. C.
“Steamship Ardova reported seized. We have
on board 3,200 kegs powder, 1,600 cases dynamite, 4 cases
detonators, 20 cases fuses marked H. W. P. Co., Manila, shipped
in execution order given us by United States Government insular
purchasing agent, Manila. Please protect our interests; note
shipment is for account United States Government, Manila, making
final destination unquestionable.
“12.40 p.m.
“Henry W. Peabody &
Company.”
There is no documentary evidence on file in this Department that
the shipment in question is the property of the government of
the Philippine Islands, as set forth in the above telegram. It
might well, however, be the property of such government, as it
is the practice of the insular purchasing agent to make
purchases of supplies and material required for the Philippine
government from
[Page 734]
firms
located in Manila, where the same can be done to advantage.
Otherwise purchases are made by this Department on behalf of
such government. It is known that the firm of Henry W. Peabody
& Co. maintain the closest relations with local firms in the
Philippines, if, in fact, it does not maintain a branch agency.
Furthermore, it is known as a reliable firm, long established,
and doing a heavy oriental business.
There is also on board this steamer merchandise of a varied
character, purchased by this Department on behalf of the
government of the Philippine Islands, on which insurance has
been placed to the value of $15,000. The steamship Ardova is of the Barber Line, and it has
been held that the provisions of act No. 198, approved April 28,
1904, requiring the employment of vessels of the United States
in the transportation by sea of supplies for the use of the Army
or the Navy, did not apply to supplies purchased by the
government of the Philippine Islands or by the War Department in
behalf of such government.
Very respectfully,
Robert Shaw
Oliver,
Acting Secretary of
War.
