Mr. Gresham to Mr. Pollock.
Washington, June 12, 1894.
Your telegram of 9th received saying minister of Provisional Government had represented that Antonio Ezeta, vice-president of overthrown Government, then on board the Bennington at La Libertad, was guilty of rape, murder, and other atrocities and should be surrendered for trial and punishment; that although you had declined to recognize new Government, papers had been served on you asking for Ezeta’s extradition; that commander of the Bennington had been asked to [Page 565] surrender Ezeta and that a tight occurred on the 8th instant in La Libertad and marines landed from Bennington and saved town from destruction. The President is not advised that a Provisional or other Government entitled to recognition and competent to demand surrender of Salvadoreans onboard Bennington has succeeded the regular Government of Salvador, with which United States has been in friendly relations.