Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 5, 1892
Mr. Palmer to Mr. Blaine.
Madrid, February 8, 1890. (Received February 24.)
Sir: Referring to my No. 356 of October 4, 1888, I have the honor to inclose copy and translation of a note from the minister of state, accompanied by the report of an inquiry made at Ponape in reference to the damage and loss suffered by Mr. Doane, the American missionary in the Caroline Islands, in consequence of his arrest and deportation to Manila, both to the effect that Mr. Doane suffered no damage, and is, therefore, not entitled to compensation.
I have, etc.
The Marquis de Armijo to Mr. Palmer.
Palace, January 31, 1890.
My Dear Sir: The minister of the colonies, to whom, as your excellency is aware, have been transmitted the different notes in reference to the claim of the American missionary, Mr. Doane, addressed to the ministry of state by the legation under your worthy charge, has communicated to me the report which has been in its turn forwarded to him by the Governor-General of the Philippine Islands.
Your excellency knows that although it is true that the courts of justice of the Philippine Archipelago annulled the proceedings against Mr. Doane, it was not because by this act his innocence of the charges against him was admitted, but because in the course of the proceedings certain formalities required by due process of law had not been fulfilled, and thus was once more proved the rectitude and impartiality of the procedure of the Spanish courts.
Your excellency likewise knows that the authorities of the island, keeping before them the religious character of Mr. Doane, his long residence at Ponape, and above all the protests of adhesion to Spain, which he made through the medium of the United States consul at Manila, hastened with the greatest anxiety to satisfy the desires exhibited by the Washington Government, ordered the transfer of the missionary to his domicile as soon as possible, and gave all manner of assurances that all the property which the American mission legitimately possessed would be respected.
Referring, then, to the point relative to the indemnity asked in favor of Mr. Doane, the ministry of state, as your excellency will understand, could not give an answer on the subject without receiving the official report which is now in my possession. All that could be done therefore, in the meantime, was to request the minister to recommend to the competent authorities the necessity of trying with the greatest zeal, [Page 430] interest, and scrupulousness to verify by all possible means whether Mr. Doane or any other of the American citizens established in the Caroline Islands had suffered material losses on which a request for an indemnity could be based.
The result of this investigation your excellency will find in the official report which was ordered to be drawn up for the purpose, and a literal copy of which I inclose until I can receive and communicate to your excellency the definite sentence pronounced by the Manila court.
As to the moral injuries which Mr. Doane may have suffered, your excellency will agree with me that his dignity ought to be completely satisfied with the disapprobation of the conduct of the Governor of the Caroline Islands, with his free restoration to his place of residence, with the attentions of which he was constantly the object and with the declarations made by Messrs. Elduayen and Moret, and the confirmation by the latter of the assurances given by the authorities of the archipelago both to Mr. Doane and the American consul that the mission could freely continue its labors in behalf of the propagation of the gospel, and that all the property legally acquired in the Carolines by the American mission would be respected.
I likewise, in my turn, give these assurances to your excellency, for, like my worthy predecessors, I am guided by the sincere purpose with which the acts of Her Majesty’s Government are inspired, especially in what concerns a nation like the United States, with which Spain desires to maintain sentiments of the closest friendship.
It remains for me to inform your excellency that as soon as my colleague, the minister of the colonies, to whom I have written for the purpose with special urgency, communicates to me a report respecting the documents referred to by your excellency in your note of December 14 last, I shall hasten to bring them to your attention”
And in the mean time I avail, etc.,
Ministry of State. General Government of the Philippines.
Report drawn up to inquire into the existence of material losses which have been occasioned to the Protestant missionary, Mr. Doane, by reason of his transfer under arrest to Manila.
Heading of the report: Don Luis Cadarso y Rey, captain of frigate of the royal navy, Governor P. M. of the Eastern Caroline Islands, and judge of first instance of his district. Being required to prepare a report in accordance with the private communication of the minister of the colonies, dated April 4 last, which was transmitted to this department by the Governor-General of the Philippine Islands on June 10 last, appointed as referees to make the investigation in the manner provided by the law, Don Filomeno Rodriguez and Don Enrique Decoro, employés of the department, who, being aware of the obligation contracted by them, and under oath, bind themselves to guard with secrecy and fidelity everything pertaining thereto. In witness whereof, with the said judge, they affix their signatures at Santiago de la Ascension, on the 14th of August, 1889. Luis Cadarso, Filomeno Rodriguez, Enrique Decoro.
Report.—We hereby affirm that in pursuance of the order of the judge we have summoned the following persons to give testimony: Portuguese subjects, Joaquin Lopez and Joaquin Gilimata; American subjects, Mr. Kehon and Mr. Harry Beamong, Mr. Naid; Corporal José Martin, European Spaniard; Father Saturnino de Arlajona, superior of the Catholic Mission in the Caroline Islands; the natives, Nalen y Kanke, and the Protestant missionary, Mr. Edward Doane, Santiago de la Ascension, August 14, 1889, Filomeno Rodriguez, Enrique Decoro.
Testimony of the Portuguese subject, Joaquin Lopez: In Santiago de la Ascension, on the said date of the month and year aforesaid, appeared before the judge and as the referees Joaquin Lopez, Portuguese subject, native of San Vincente de Cabo Verde, domiciled in this island and more than 20 years of age, who, being duly sworn, was examined as follows: Whether he was in this island in the month of April, 1887, when the American missionary, Mr. Doane, embarked in the man-of-war Manila by order of the Governor Posadillo, and if he has any information of the said missionary, during his absence in Manila, having suffered any material injury in his estates, buildings, or other property of any class whatever, or if he has any information of his having suffered any injury through the fault of the natives by reason of the rebellion of the 4th of July of the same year, answers that in January he completes four years of residence in the island, that he was an eyewitness of the events referred to in the questions, that in reference to the injury or losses which [Page 431] may have been caused Mr. Doane, the Protestant missionary, at the periods referred to in this question, he can give the most absolute assurance that the said Mr. Doane did not suffer damage of any kind in his interests, nor could he suffer them, since his relations with the natives are as closely intimate as can be those of the best father with his loving children; that he never heard any one in the whole island say anything in reference to said injuries, and that he has nothing further to add. At thisp oint his examination was suspended, the testimony was read to him, and, on his admitting it to be correct, he signs it with the judge, all of which we, the referees, bear witness. Luis Cadarso, Joaquin Lopez, Filomeno Rodriquez, Enrique Decoro.
Testimony of the English subject, Harry Beamon Nilson: Next appeared before the judge and us, the referees, the English subject, Harry Beamon Nilson, native of Dinkan County (England), more than 50 years of age, domiciled in this island, who, being duly sworn, was examined as follows: Asked whether he was in this island in the month of April, 1887, when the Protestant missionary, Mr. Doane, embarked on the man-of-war Manila by order of Governor Don Isidro Posdillo, and if he has any information of said missionary during his absence having suffered any material injuries in his estates, buildings, or other property of any class whatsoever, or if he has any information of his having suffered any injury through the fault of the natives by reason of the rebellion of the 4th of July of the same year, answers that on the date aforesaid he was living in the neighborhood of this colony, in which he has been residing for four years, and that he can affirm that neither the property nor the interests of Mr. Doane, during his absence in Manila, suffered the least attack or injury on the part of the natives or of anyone else, especially as the missionary, Mr. Rand, remained in the island, who always retained influence and friendship with the natives; answers, that he has nothing further to add. At this point his examination was suspended, the testimony was read to him, and, on his admitting it to be correct, he signs it with the judge, to all of which we, the referees, bear witness. Luis Cadarso, Henry Beamon, Filomeno Rodriguez, Enrique Decoro.
Testimony of the English subject, William Knight: Appeared in Santiago de la Ascension on the 17th day of August of the year 1889, before the judge and us, the referees, the English subject, William Knight, native of London, England, more than 50 years of age, domiciled in this island, who, being duly sworn, was examined as follows: Asked if he knew that on account of the detention of the Protestant missionary, Mr. Doane, and during his absence from this island during the insurrection of the natives, material injury had occurred to said Mr. Doane or to the missionaries of his sect, answers that he did not know if any injury had been caused to the said estates, nor did he believe it possible that such injuries could have been suffered by the missionaries on account of the friendly relations that existed between the missionaries and the natives. Asked if he had anything to add or retract, answers that he has nothing further to add or retract. At this point his examination was suspended, the testimony was read to him, and, on his admitting it to be correct, he signs it with the judge, all of which we, the referees, bear witness. Luis Cadarso, W. Knight, Filomeno Rodriguez, Enrique Decoro.
Testimony of Levan Not: Appeared in Santiago de la Ascension on the 25th day of August of the year 1889, before the judge and us, the referees, the native of these islands, Levan Not, who, being duly sworn, was examined through an interpreter as follows: Asked if he knows whether, in consequence of the absence of Mr. Doane in the months of June and July, 1889, and on account of the disturbances occurring in this island at that time, the interests held by Mr. Doane and the other American missionaries in the tribes of Ponape suffered any injury, and what are the relations of friendship existing between Mr. Doane and the natives, answers, that both during the absence of said missionary, and during the rebellion in the colony, neither the interests of the missionary, Mr. Doane, nor those of the other American missionaries, suffered any damage of any kind, and that the relations of said missionaries with the natives have been always very good, as a result of which the interests of those missionaries have been always guaranteed. Asked whether he has anything to add to this, answers that he has nothing to add. At this point the examination was suspender, the testimony was read, and, on his admitting it to be correct, he signs it with the judge, to all of which we, the referees, bear witness. Luis Cadarso, Levan Not, Filomeno Rodriguez, Enrique Decoro.
Testimony of the native Nalem: At Santiago de la Ascension, August 22, 1889, there appeared before the judge and us the referees, the native of the tribe of Not of these Islands, named Nalem, and being duly sworn was examined through an interpreter as follows: Asked whether he knows if, in consquence of the detention and departure from the island of the Protestant missionary Mr. Doane in the year 1887 and on account of the rebellion which took place in that island, material injury was suffered in their estates and other property by the American missionary and Mr. Doane and the others of his nationality, answers that in the period referred to in the questions, neither the material interests of Mr. Doane nor of any of the American subjects suffered the least damage, nor could such damage occur, inasmuch [Page 432] as the natives were on the best terms with Mr. Doane. Asked if he has anything further to add, answers that he has nothing to add. At this point the examination was suspended. The testimony was read to him, and having admitted it to be correct he signs it with the judge to all of which we the referees hear witness.—Luis Cadarso, Nalem Not, Filomeno Rodriguez, Enrique Decoro.
Testimony of the Protestant missionary, Mr. Doane: At Santiago de la Ascension on September 2d, 1889, appeared before the judge and us the referees, the North American subject, Mr. Edward Doane, chief of the Protestant mission in these islands, and being duly sworn was examined as follows: What kind of material injury does he say was caused him by his detention and the voyage to Manila which he made by the order of the Government of these islands Don Isidro Posadillo, answers: that the principal injury caused him consisted in the paralyzation of his business in the mission during the four months of his detention on board of the vessel and in Manila, since the schools could not pursue the work which he had planned, and on account of the war made between the natives and the colony during his absence all his business was paralyzed. Asked: To define, in a manner clear and precise, in what consisted the material injuries suffered by the mission through fault of the Spaniards, answered that he knew by report that the interpreter Manuel Garcia, who had been killed by the natives, with some Kanakas of Ponape had destroyed six houses held by the natives, near the church, which belonged to him, although they can present no document showing property. There were also destroyed some lemon and cocoa trees. Asked if he can summon some one of those residing in this island to bear witness to the truth of what refers to the property of the six houses and the destruction of the lemon and cocoa trees, answered that he can present no witness to bear witness to the truth of what he says. Asked if he has anything to add, answers that he has nothing to add. At this point the examination was suspended. The testimony was read to him, and having admitted it to be correct, he signed it with the judge, to all of which all the referees bear witness.—Luis Cadarso, E. T. Doane, Filomeno Rodriguez. Enrique Decoro.
Decision.—Don Luis Cadarso y Rey, governor of the East Caroline Islands and judge of the first instance of the district. In view of the proceeding and of the testimony taken to verify what damages are occasioned to the North American missionary, Mr. Doane, during his absence from the island in 1887, and Mr. Doane having been heard by his testimony given on this date, it is fully proved that only moral injuries were caused him, according to his statement, through inability to continue the school of the natives, but in respect to material injuries no one knows them, and even the interested party confines himself to the statement he only suffered loss in the houses, which were near the colony and were the property of the natives, by which it is shown that no personal injury has been suffered by the American missionaries, notwithstanding this the most excellent court will decide what it judges to be most in accordance with justice.