Mr. Baker to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of the United States,
Managua, June 21,
1894.
No. 315.]
Sir: I think it proper to submit the following
correspondence, which passed between this legation and the United States
consulate at San Salvador, chiefly bearing on the demand of that
Government for the surrender of Gen. Antonio Ezeta and others who
recently sought an asylum on board the U. S. S. Bennington.
Cable from Consul Pollock to Minister
Baker.
La Libertad, June 16, 1894, (1:22 p.m.)
(Received at Managua 6
p.m., June 17, 1894.)
Minister Baker, Managua:
Provisional Government of Salvador just notifies me it is organized.
Antonio Ezeta and several officers are refugees on Bennington, and Salvador asked Washington for their
surrender. Ezeta is charged with crimes that would shock
humanity.
Pollock.
To which I responded:
Managua, June 17, 1894.
Pollock, U. S. Consul,
San
Salvador:
Do not forget that you have no diplomatic powers.
Lewis Baker,
U. S. Minister.
On the 20th Mr. Pollock responded:
La Libertad, June 20, 1894 (1:15 p.m.).
Minister Baker, Managua:
Have exercised no diplomatic duties whatever.
Pollock.
On the 21st of June I addressed Mr. Pollock the inclosed communication
(No. 1) in explanation of my rather suggestive cable of the 17th
instant.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
315.]
Mr. Baker to
Mr. Pollock.
Legation of the United States,
Managua, June 21, 1894.
Sir: On the 8th instant I received a cable
from San Salvador, signed by Estanislao Perez, who styled himself as
minister of war, asking the
[Page 568]
delivery of Gen. Antonio Ezeta to “those who shall present
themselves to the captain” of the American man-of-war.
To this cable I replied:
I have no official knowledge that there has been a change of
government in Salvador. But were it otherwise, I have no
power to do as you request in your cablegram. Have forwarded
same to Washington for instructions.
On the 14th instant I heard that information had been received in
official quarters here that the captain of the Bennington had contemplated putting Gen. Ezeta and his
companions upon a passing merchant steamer, but that, at your
request, he had held them for delivery to the Salvadorean
authorities. It is fair to both you and myself to say that I did not
give credit to this statement, and my incredulity was heightened by
the fact that I was unable to obtain satisfactory proof of its
truthfulness.
On the 15th I received a cable from Salvador signed by Estanislao
Perez, who styled himself on this occasion “general minister,” in
these words:
I have the honor of communicating to you that the Government
of the United States has recognized by cable Gen. Rafael A.
Gutierrez as president of the Republic. As the president’s
general secretary I solicit in the name of justice the
extradition of Antonio Ezeta and his companions, who have
found asylum on the U. S. S. Bennington at the port of La Libertad. The said
criminals are accused of and prosecuted for the common
crimes of murder, robbery, arson, and other atrocities.
The receipt of this message not only put me on my guard, but
suggested the propriety of placing you upon your guard also.
Therefore I sent the brief cable of caution to you. After the effort
to entrap me about the action of our Government toward that of
Salvador, I was prepared to expect the same parties to attempt some
similar “smart” game on you.
I beg that you will view the matter from my standpoint, and believe
me when I assure you that I had great doubt about your needing the
caution, yet I thought I might venture to give you the benefit of
the doubt, since we are both striving to do the best for the benefit
and good name of our country.
I have been much pleased with your reports to me and with your
official action, so far as it has come to my knowledge.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
315.]
Mr. Pollock to
Mr. Baker.
U.
S. Consulate,
San
Salvador, June 11,
1894.
Sir: Your communication of May 31 reached
me to-day, and I hope that you have since received my letters of May
25, 26, and of June 6, which contain particulars of the revolution
now concluded. I have not yet received your cablegram of May 21.
The last days of the revolution were quite exciting and, as I feared,
fraught with danger. At La Libertad our gunboat Bennington landed troops three times to protect American
property and interests, and at one time, at least, I am informed,
saved the port from destruction. Considerable
[Page 569]
American property was destroyed at
other places, for which claims for indemnity will be made, but La
Libertad was the last refuge of the defeated party, and but for the
presence of the gunboat there would have suffered most.
When Vice-President Ezeta arrived at La Libertad, pursued by his
enemies, Capt. Thomas, for the sake of humanity, took him and his
generals, 16, I believe, in all, on board the Bennington. The following morning one of the ministers of
the provisional Government informed me of the fact and requested
that Ezeta be surrendered. I told him that until the United States
recognized the new Government it would be better to defer official
intercourse. Nevertheless, papers were served upon me the same day,
asking for Ezeta’s extradition as a common criminal, guilty of bank
robbery which he committed on the day previous, besides which he is
charged with rape, arson, murder, and other crimes. At the same time
the provisional Government appointed two commissioners to go to La
Libertad and lay the same request before Capt. Thomas. A cablegram
to the same effect was at the same time sent to Washington. Capt.
Thomas told the commissioners that, having granted asylum to Ezeta
and his compatriots, he could not now surrender them without orders
from our Government.
The incident has created intense excitement among the people. Indeed,
it is so intense that the commissioners have instructions to return
to La Libertad and renew their plea, although they have just come
back and know that the effort would be useless, simply to allay the
bitter feeling which at this time, when the city is filled with
soldiers, is very serious. The request has also been renewed upon
me. Capt. Thomas wished to transfer the fugitives to the San Bias, who was at La Libertad on Saturday,
but I knew that the commissioners would consider such an action an
insult to them, as any hearing that might be given them would then
be too late, and I, who had gone to La Libertad also, advised the
captain to hold Ezeta and his generals until he could hear from
Washington, by which time another boat would be in and the
excitement cool off. * * *
I am, etc.,
I wish to say that I am very careful to act strictly within the
spirit of your instructions to me.
