Mr. Breckinridge to
Mr. Olney.
Legation of the United States,
St. Petersburg, December 19,
1895.
No. 188.]
Sir: I inclose herewith copy of a letter from
our consul at Warsaw in regard to Mr. Henry Topor, a naturalized
American citizen, arrested at Warsaw upon the charge of “leaving Russia
without permission and becoming a citizen of the United States.”
Also, I send copy of my note to Prince Lobanow, of this date, protesting
against such action, expressing the hope that the pending consideration
of such cases will result in the removal of the differences they cause,
and asking for fuller information about this unfortunate man, whose
condition, at or near Warsaw, seems to be distressing. I also say that
this information is desired for transmission, through the Department, to
his wife. Mrs. Topor’s address is 1069 Milwaukee avenue, Chicago.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
188.]
Mr. Breckinridge to Prince Lobanow.
Your Excellency: I have the honor to state
that I am informed by the United States consul at Warsaw that Mr.
Henry Topor, a naturalized American citizen, was arrested at Warsaw
in the month of September last, deprived of his passport, and sent
to prison upon the charge of “leaving the Empire without permission
and becoming a citizen of the United States.”
As your excellency knows from past and pending correspondence, it is
incumbent upon me to protest most emphatically against any attempt
to question the right of the United States to prescribe and apply
the terms upon which its citizenship shall be acquired by any and
all persons within their jurisdiction, and that the disregard of
this citizenship, thus acquired, is considered by my Government as
derogatory to that sovereign right which is inherent to all
independent states, and as an unfriendly act.
I can not discharge this duty, however, without accompanying it with
a statement of my hope and belief that the careful and considerate
attention, which I am sure differences of this character are at
present
[Page 524]
receiving at the
hands of the Imperial Government, will result in the early
amelioration or total removal of the irritating causes in an
honorable and suitable manner.
The consul further informs me that this unfortunate man has,
subsequent to his imprisonment, been sent to an asylum, presumably
both sick and insane. How far his imprisonment, detention from his
family, now in the United States, and the prospect of perpetual
banishment to Siberia may have contributed to this end it is
impossible to say. I should be glad if your excellency would use
your good offices to secure for me a statement from the authorities
at Warsaw of Mr. Topor’s exact conditions and surroundings,
particularly that I may communicate such information to his wife,
who seems not to have heard from him for a long time.
I avail myself, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
188.]
Mr. Rawicz to
Mr. Breckinridge.
Consulate of the United States,
Warsaw, December 14, 1895.
Sir: On the 25th ultimo I have received a
letter from Mrs. Henry Topor, of 1069 Milwaukee avenue, Chicago,
Ill., who inquired of the whereabouts of her husband, United States
citizen Henry Topor, who with a United States passport came to this
country to better his health, and as privately reported there was
arrested in Warsaw. Accordingly I have directed an official
correspondence to the chief of the police in this city on the
subject, and to-day I have received the answer, No. 14271, from the
police department here, of following tenor:
November 30/December 12, 1895.—In answer to your
communication of 18/30 November, No. 1571 M. C., we beg to
state to the consulate that Henry Topor vel Barieki was
detained by the police authorities here, in the month of
September this year, and according to the law of this
country “for leaving this land without permission and
becoming a citizen of the United States,” he was sent to
prison for examination. Presently said Mr. Topor is sent out
to asylum as sick of the mind, under the guard of the chief
of said prison, on the 26th October/7th November. (Signed
chief of the police.)
To-day I have also notified Mrs. Topor of the above facts.
Your obedient servant,
Joseph Rawicz,
United States Consul.
