No. 91.
Mr. Beach to Mr. Davis.

No. 23.]

Sir: The first information that I had of the arrest and imprisonment of Julio Romano Santos by the Ecuadorian authorities was received on the 6th instant from the United States vice-consul at Guayaquil. The next day I wrote to President Caamaño at Guayaquil, from which place he is directing national affairs, a note, a copy of which is given in inclosure No. 1.

On the 27th instant I received Department of State dispatch No. 9, dated December 29, 1884. The next day I addressed a note to the minister of foreign relations, a copy of which is given in inclosure No. 2.

Also, on the 28th, I addressed a letter to Mr. Santos, in care of the United States vice-consul at Guayaquil, a copy of which is given in inclosure No. 3.

On the 29th I received a reply to my note to the minister of foreign relations, a copy of which is given in inclosure No. 4. From this very courteous and friendly dispatch it appears that the Ecuadorian authorities make the following points against Mr. Santos: That he has lost his United States citizenship, and that he has committed a “hated crime” against the laws of the country. The first claim is probably predicated on the treaty concluded May 6, 1872. This claim, however, the minister says would be waived but for the grave offense charged.

As soon as a statement has been received from Mr. Santos it will be forwarded to the Department of State. The ports of Bahia, Manta, and Esmeraldas have been closed (and are yet, so far as is known here), which causes delay in communication.

I am, respectfully, yours,

HORATIO N. BEACH,
Consul-General.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 23.]

Sir: Information having been received from the Department of State at Washington that Julio Romano Santos, a citizen of the United States of North America, is held a prisoner for an alleged offense against the Government of Ecuador, I respectfully request you to permit and assist Martin Reinberg, United States vice-consul at Guayaquil, in holding intercourse personally or by letter with the said Santos, that his statement of the case may be freely and fully presented to an official representative of his country. In the mean time I respectfully ask for said Santos such consideration and care as the Ecuadorian Government would have bestowed upon one of its subjects imprisoned in a foreign land.

Yours, with great respect,

HORATIO N. BEACH,
Consul-General.

His Excellency J. M. P. Caamaño,
President of Republic of Ecuador, at Guayaquil.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 23.]

Sir: I have the honor of addressing you regarding Julio Romano Santos, a citizen of the United States of North America, who, I am informed by the Department of State at Washington, is imprisoned at Bahia for an alleged offense against the laws [Page 231] of Ecuador during the recent rebellion. In behalf of my Government I respectfully and firmly demand his immediate release from imprisonment, unless proof positive exists of his guilt.

I also respectfully inform you that I have sent a letter in care of Martin Reinberg, United States vice-consul at Guayaquil, directed to said Santos, which I request your Government to aid in forwarding to him and to facilitate the return of his reply, that a representative of his country may receive freely and fully his version of what occurred prior to his arrest and since.

Yours, with great respect,

  • HORATIO N. BEACH,
    Consul-General.
  • Hon. Señor Elpinosa,
    Minister Exterior Relations.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 23.]

Dear Sir: I received yesterday, from the Department of State, information of your arrest and imprisonment for an alleged offense against the Ecuadorian Government during the recent rebellion. I have to-day made a formal demand on this Government for your immediate release, unless there exists proof positive of your guilt. I have also asked this Government to aid in forwarding this letter to you, and to facilitate the return of your reply.

Please state concisely and clearly the circumstances attending your arrest and what of importance has followed. State what the Ecuadorian officials claim, and give your own version.

I feel assured that the United States Government will obtain for you all your rights, and as promptly as general circumstances will permit.

I am, respectfully, yours,

  • HORATIO N. BEACH,
    Consul-General.
  • Julio Romano Santos, Esq.
[Inclosure 4 No. 23—Literal translation.]

Mr. Consul-General of the United States, Present:

I had the honor of receiving the esteemed dispatch that you have sent me on this date asking for the immediate liberty of Mr. Julio Romano Santos, with the exception of there being evident proof of his having taken part in the passed rebellion, began or promoted by Eloy Alfaro.

Although the Government of Ecuador has doubted that Mr. Santos should have kept the North American nationality because he has been born in this Republic of Ecuadorian; has been a resident of the latter six years, more or less, according to what I am informed, after he came back from the United States. It would have been very pleasant to the Government to act in accordance with your petition, if the said Mr. Santos were not submitted to judgment for his immediate and direct complication in the hated crime for which he is to be judged. If, in the course of the proceedsings, the proof of his culpability should be vanished (this not being easy, for it seems he was taken in flagrante on board of a boat that carried arms to the rebels), the Government would not doubt in restoring him to freedom, giving you in this way a proof of esteem and benevolence.

In the mean time I have ordered the governor of Manabi to facilitate the delivery of the letter which you have directed to Mr. Santos by means of Mr. Reinberg, and have ordered him to receive the answer, and send it to this ministry, so that it may reach your hands with the proper safety.

I profit this opportunity to present to you my distinguished considerations as your very attentive obedient servant,

J. MODESTO ESPINOSA.