No. 91.
Mr. Beach
to Mr. Davis.
United
States Consulate-General, Ecuador
Quito, January 31, 1885.
(Received February 25.)
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.]
United
States Consulate-General, Ecuador,
Quito, January 7, 1885.
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.]
United
States Consulate-General, Ecuador,
Quito, January 28, 1885.
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.]
United
States Consulate-General, Ecuador,
Quito, January 28, 1885.
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.]
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador,
Quito, January 29, 1885.
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,
