Mr. Pollock to Mr. Gresham.
Sir: The minister of the Provisional Government called on me yesterday submitting that Antonio Ezeta, vice-president of overthrown Government, was on our gunboat Bennington at La Libertad, and that, as a common criminal guilty of rape, murder, and other atrocities, he should he surrendered. I declined to entertain official relations until you recognize new Government, Nevertheless, papers were served on me by courts charging Ezeta with bank robbery committed last Thursday and asking for his extradition under treaty provision. I informed Capt. Thomas, of the Bennington, as to what was done, for his information merely. To-day commissioners were sent to the captain asking for surrender. He told them that having granted asylum he can not surrender Ezeta without order from your Government. He intended transferring Ezeta and compatriots to a Pacific mail steamer now in port, but I advised, for the purpose of good feeling with Salvador, to keep them until orders arrived, as another boat will soon be here. This cable is intended for your information. It and answer to it will be paid for by this Government. Yesterday fight took place at La Libertad. In few minutes. Bennington had force landed, and consular agent reports, saved town from destruction.