No. 529.
Mr. Bell
to Mr. Bayard.
Legation of
the United States,
The
Hague, April 16, 1887. (Received April
30.)
No. 243.]
Sir: In obedience to instructions contained in your
dispatch No. 86, of the 2d instant, I have addressed a note to his
excellency the minister of foreign affairs, a copy of which is herewith
transmitted, calling attention to the case of Mr. Connell, an American
citizen resident in Batavia, who complains through Mr. Hatfield, the United
States consul at
[Page 898]
that place, of
illegal enrollment for military duty. It is not probable that a reply will
be given before the authorities here can communicate with the colonial
authorities at Batavia.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 243.]
Mr. Bell to Mr.
Karnebeek.
Legation of the United States,
The Hague, Netherlands, April 16, 1887.
Sir: I am directed by the Government of the
United States to apprise you that Mr. E. R. Connell, a citizen of the
United States, who is temporarily residing, but not domiciled, in
Batavia, as agent for an American house, is subject to compulsory
semi-weekly drills, which greatly interfere with the performance of his
business duties.
As the object of those drills is not merely of a police character, nor
for purposes of temporary defense, but of a permanent character, such as
to prepare those subjected to it for incorporation in the permanent
military service of the Butch Government, I am instructed to represent
to His Majesty’s government that the Government of the United States can
not assent to such an interference with the unquestionable rights of Mr.
Connell.
I need not suggest to your excellency that the injustice complained of
not only exposes the commercial interest of the American house which Mr.
Connell represents to vexatious losses and prevents the agent from
complying with his engagements, but also tends to hamper and interfere
with commerce, and is certainly not suited to give security to trade. I
trust, therefore, that you will move the proper colonial authorities of
His Majesty to take this complaint into consideration without delay with
the view that measures may be adopted that will not only relieve Mr.
Connell of the military duty which has been imposed upon him, but will
enable him to feel some security as to his future position,
I seize, etc.,
