Mr. Pringle to Mr. Gresham.

No. 87.]

Sir: I beg leave to inclose a copy of a letter from Mr. William Heyden, acting U. S. consular agent at Amapala, to Hon. Edward H. Strobel, also a copy of statement made by Mr. Henry J. Stibbs relative to his arrest and illegal detention by the authorities of Honduras.

Awaiting instructions in the matter,

I have, etc.,

D. Lynch Pringle,
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.
[Page 310]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 87.]

Mr. Hey den to Mr. Strobel.

Sir: It being impossible for me to communicate with Consul Peterson at Tegucigalpa, owing to that place being in a state of siege, I have the honor to hand you herewith copy of a complaint presented me this day by Mr. H. L. Stibbs, a native-born American citizen, residing at this port.

The facts in the case are as related by Mr. Stibbs, but I imagine there may be a question regarding whether the Nicaraguan authorities, or the authorities of the revolutionary movement now under way in this country, are responsible for the arrest and detention of the young man mentioned.

During the latter part of December of the past year, Dr. Policarpo Bonilla, with a limited number of followers, invaded the territory of this Republic from the neighboring Republic of Nicaragua and declared himself Provisional President of Honduras, the Government of Nicaragua giving his Government its recognition immediately thereafter. Subsequently he attacked and captured the town of El Corpus, and then, accompanied by a Nicaraguan army under command of Gen. Ortiz, Vice-President of Nicaragua, after considerable fighting, occupied the Honduranian territory between the Pacific coast and Tegucigalpa, the capital, with the exception of this and a few of the adjacent islands in this gulf; but as there has been no declaration of war on the part of either of the contending governments, I imagine the authorities in possession of Choluteca and all the territory mentioned can not be looked upon as Nicaraguan, as Mr. Stibbs claims, but must be considered as the agents of the de facto government of Dr. Bonilla. I am strengthened in this idea by the fact of its being rumored at the Salvadorean port of La Union that young Mr. Stibbs was arrested by special telegraphic order of Dr. Bonilla from the neighborhood of Tegucigalpa, which place that leader is at present besieging.

The manager of the San Martin Mine Renguettine, who passed through Choluteca a few days since on his way to this port via La Union, tells me that he talked with Mr. Stibbs in the prison of that place, and that the young man told him he had protested his American citizenship before the authorities, who had answered him that exactly for that reason it was their intention and orders to hold him.

As there was no declaration of war by either of the contending parties, no notification of the closing or blockading of the coast ports by the victorious invaders, I might argue with the de facto authorities at Choluteca that Mr. Stibbs was justified in making his regular trips to the usual ports, as per contract with the owners of the steamer Carmen, and perhaps with a request based upon such argument I might obtain his immediate release were it possible to communicate with the said authorities, but unfortunately it is not possible owing to the fact that every boat we send in that direction is captured and held by those in possession of the coast.

I will furnish copies of this communication to the American minister at Managua and request his good offices with the Government of that Republic, and also to Capt. Longnecker of the Banger, who is supposed to be at La Libertad, for any action he may see fit to take in the matter, and by earliest opportunity I will communicate direct with the authorities at Choluteca, keeping you fully informed of any steps I may take and their results.

I must mention the fact that the steamer in question is the property of a German resident at this place and that the object of its voyage to the coast was to deliver the mail for the San Martin Mining Company, and bring from the coast a director of that company who was endeavoring to reach this place on his way to France.

Mr Stibbs is a competent marine engineer holding a first-class certificate from the U. S. Government and is here known as an honest, industrious, sober man, and no complaint of either father or son has ever been before the authorities here, nor does the consular agency know of anything derogatory to his character.

I have, etc.,

William Heyden,
Acting U. S. Consular Agent.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 87.]

statement of mr. stibbs.

On this, the 8th day of March, 1894, personally appeared before me acting, U. S. consular agent at this port, Henry J. Stibbs, son of H. L. Stibbs, a native-born American citizen and made oath:

That on the 14th of February, of the present year, he left this port as engineer of the steamer Carmen bound for the coastport of La Chinga for the purpose of [Page 311] bringing to Amapala the superintendent of the San Martin mines. That he arrived at the port mentioned at about 5 p.m., and that two hours later he was arrested by Subcommandant Santas Quiroz, who kept him a close prisoner, under the guard of a sentry who had orders to shoot him did he attempt to leave the house that was his prison, until the following day at 11 a.m., notwithstanding his repeated protests of American citizenship, when he was sent, on foot, during the heat of the day, under guard of three soldiers and a sergeant, to the city of Choluteca, 24 miles distant, although he begged to be allowed to make the terrible journey by night. That when within 5 miles of his destination he was completely overcome by fatigue and heat and was obliged to bribe the sergeant to allow him to finish his journey on that officer’s horse. That before leaving La Chinga the commandant, Quiroz, ordered his troops to tie him with a rope, but that he was finally allowed to make the journey untied by giving his word of honor not to make an effort to escape. That he arrived after a forced march at about nightfall and was taken before the commandant of the city, who tried to induce him to join the military force under his command and who, on his protesting his American citizenship, ordered him to be made a prisoner in the major’s office. That he was kept a close prisoner in said office during two days and two nights, having to purchase his own food and being forced to sleep on an unhealthy bare brick floor without bedding of any description whatever. That after that date he was furnished with a cot by an American friend. That on the night of the 22d of February Commandant Ortez called him into his presence and ordered him to make himself in readiness to enter the military service as his aid, so that he could furnish him with money with which to purchase his food. That he again repeatedly protested his American citizenship, but the commandant answered him that his being mustered into such service was a mere formality that would enable the officer mentioned to draw money for his (Stibbs’s) support from the public treasury. That he answered the commandant that he had sold some of his personal property for the purpose of purchasing food and that he still had funds for the purpose, resulting from such sale. That the commandant answered him that all that made no difference and that the next day he would have to put a bit of red ribbon on his shoulder and draw his regular pay. That from that day on he was allowed the liberty of walking about the streets of the city and was given 50 cents and a piece of raw beef each day.

That on or about the 26th of February, as he was wandering about the city he was surprised by hearing shouts of “Shoot him!” behind him, and on coming to a standstill, was overtaken by a guard of about 10 drunken soldiers who surrounded him with cocked rifles and made him a prisoner, taking him with vile and violent language before the Nicaraguan general, Godoy, who ordered him sent to the commandant, who released him, telling the soldiers that he (Stibbs) was one of his aids. That on March 6, twenty days after his arrest, he was given his passport by Gen. Rosales, his steamer was turned over to him, and he arrived at this place to-day. That after his arrest and during his detention he was never brought before a court of justice either military or civil, or accused of any crime, or lawbreaking of any description whatever, and he most solemnly protests as a native American against the unjust, uncalled-for, and illegal interference with his personal liberty.

Henry J. Stibbs.

Sworn to and signed before me.

[seal.]
William Heyden,
Acting U. S. Consular Agent.