No. 1016.
Mr. Magee
to Mr. Bayard.
Stockholm , October 20, 1888. (Received November 3.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on last Saturday, the 13th instant, Messrs. McManus and Kœhler, officers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, arrived in this city for the purpose of taking back with them one Albert Erbers, alias Eberson, a fugitive from justice from Wisconsin, and who was at that date confined in the prison at Christiania. In my former dispatches I called attention to the fact that the prisoner could only be extradited upon proof being made to the satisfaction of the Norwegian Government that Erbers had become a naturalized citizen of the United States. When the officers came to this legation I asked them if they had any such proof, when they informed me they had not. I had had several interviews with the royal foreign office in relation to the arrest and extradition, and had secured consent for the officers, upon their coming here, to take the prisoner back, provided he would voluntarily consent to go.
I accompanied the officers to the royal foreign office, where I delivered the papers relating to the case, together with my note demanding the delivery of the prisoner to the officers, also assuring the secretary that the persons present were the ones designated in the warrant of the President. The delivery of the prisoner was refused, except upon the “condition above recited.
At my suggestion the officers went to Christiania for the purpose of [Page 1490] ascertaining if Erbers would return voluntarily with them. I gave them a letter to Mr. G. Gade, consul for the United States at that city, requesting him to render them all possible assistance to effect their mission.
Upon arrival at Christiania they had an interview with the prison officials and learned that Erbers had become insane, and although personally acquainted with the officers, failed to recognize them. The prisoner is now in the insane hospital for observation for the purpose of ascertaining whether his insanity is real or a mere sham. The officers left on their return Thursday last.
Is it desired, in the event that the prisoner is not insane, to have him punished here for his criminal act committed in Wisconsin? This can be done, as he has confessed before a magistrate to the forgery. He will be detained in custody until answer is made to this inquiry.
I have, etc.,