Mr. Breckinridge to
Mr. Olney.
Legation of the United States,
St. Petersburg, April 20, 1896.
(Received May 7.)
No. 285.]
Sir: Referring to my No. 281, of April 10, the
last communication in regard to the Americans arrested upon the charge
of seal poaching at Robben Island, I now have the honor to transmit
herewith copies of my correspondence with General Doukovskoi, governor
of the Amoor district, and with General Unterberger, the immediate
governor at Vladivostok and of the maritime interests, relating to an
interview, and showing that General Unterberger appoints next Wednesday,
the 22d instant, for that purpose.
I also send copy and translation of a note of April 16, from Mr.
Chichkine, adjoint of the foreign office, in reply to my note of April
7, reported in my No. 281 of April 10, saying they have no further
information, but have applied for it.
I had considered from analogous cases that while the minister of marine
had the apprehending of poachers, yet that when committed for trial they
came under the jurisdiction of the minister of justice. Nor do I find it
the custom to deal direct with the respective departments unless
suggested or consented to by the ministry of foreign affairs. This point
being attained, and the exceptional nature of local jurisdiction
seemingly established, I will report further proceedings to you as they
occur.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
285.]
Mr. Breckinridge to the governor-general of the Amoor.
Legation of the United States,
St. Petersburg, March 28/April 9, 1896.
Your Excellency: In a conversation I had
the honor to have on yesterday with His Excellency Prince Lobanow in
regard to several citizens of the United States who had been
arrested upon Robben
[Page 502]
Island upon the charge of poaching, his excellency suggested that I
see you upon the subject, as the matter, he says, comes under your
jurisdiction. Acting upon this kind suggestion, I beg that you will
do me the honor to name a day and hour when I may call upon you and
present the case as it comes to me from my Government. If agreeable
to you I will call in company with the secretary of the legation,
who speaks French.
I avail myself, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
285.—Translation.]
Governor-General of the
Amoor to Mr. Breckinridge.
Dear Sir: In reply to your letter of March
28 (April 9) I beg to inform you that Prince Lobanow-Rostowsky, when
referring you to me, was not aware of the tact that all affairs
pertaining to the industry in the waters of the Tülen (Seals) Island
is under the jurisdiction of the ministry of marine; it will
therefore be necessary for you to apply to Admiral Tchikatcheff.
Accept, etc.,
[Inclosure 3 in No.
285.]
Mr. Breckinridge to General Unterberger.
Legation of the United States,
St. Petersburg, April 3/15, 1896.
Your Excellency: In a recent conversation
with His Excellency Prince Lobanow-Rostowsky in regard to certain
citizens of the United States arrested on Robben Island on a charge
of poaching, his excellency had the goodness to suggest to me that I
see you, as having immediate jurisdiction over the case. I am aware
that all such cases are comprehensively subject to the ministry of
marine, but from the advice of Prince Lobanow I take it that the
immediate jurisdiction is in your hands.
Acting upon this kind suggestion of his excellency I beg to ask you
to do me the honor to name a day and hour when I may call upon you
and present the case as it comes to me from my Government.
I avail myself, etc.,
[Inclosure 4 in No.
285.—Translation.]
General Unterberger to Mr. Breckinridge.
St.
Petersburg, April 5/17,
1896.
No. 70.]
Your Excellency: Concerning your letter of
the 3/15th April, I have the honor to inform you that it is much
easier for me to call upon you for a conversation about the
mentioned case. Therefore, I propose, with your permission, to pay a
visit to your excellency next Wednesday, the 10/22 April, at 11
o’clock in the morning.
I avail myself, etc.,
[Page 503]
[Inclosure 5 in No.
285.]
Mr. Breckinridge to General Unterberger.
Legation of the United States,
St. Petersburg, April 6/18, 1896.
Your Excellency: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your very courteous note of yesterday, in
which you do me the very great honor of responding to my request for
an interview by stating that you will call on me next Wednesday, the
10/22d, at 11 o’clock in the morning. Presuming that you will call
at the legation, 28 Quai de la Cour, instead of at my residence, I
shall be at the legation at the hour indicated.
I avail myself, etc.,
[Inclosure 6 in No.
285.—Translation.]
Mr. Chichkine
to Mr. Breckinridge.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Asiatic
Department,
April 4/16, 1896.
Mr. Envoy: Referring to the last notes
which you have had the goodness to address me on the subject of the
seventeen poachers arrested on Robben Island and now under judgment
at Vladivostok, I can only confirm to you the information which I
had the honor to communicate to you under date of March 20 last. I
believe I should add that the Imperial ministry has not failed to
address itself to the proper parties to obtain all the subsequent
information, and will hasten to inform you, as soon as received, of
the response of the competent authorities.
Please to accept, etc.,
