Mr. Peirce to Mr. Olney.

No. 447.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose recent correspondence concerning Anton Yablkowski, whose case was reported in the legation’s Nos. 144, 151, 157, 161, and 179 of September 28, October 10, 16, and 28, and November 29, 1895, respectively.

It appears that Yablkowski is now at liberty, and I have requested our consul at Warsaw to endeavor to ascertain what has become of him, in order to, if possible, close up the case.

I have, etc.,

Herbert H. D. Peirce,
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.
[Page 508]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 447.]

Mr. Peirce to Mr. Rawicz.

Sir: It is a long time since this legation received any news concerning the status of Anton Yablkowski. The last account reported that he could leave the Empire but was forbidden to return, and hoped that by writing he might, through a general amnesty, be permitted to remain. Please inform me at your earliest convenience of the actual status.

I am, etc.,

Herbert H. D. Peirce,
Chargé d’Affaires.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 447.]

Mr. Rawicz to Mr. Peirce.

Sir: After receiving your communication of the 14th instant, I have sent inquiry concerning the United States citizen, Anton Yablkowski, to the general attorney (procureur) here and his answer received to-day by this consulate I beg to communicate to you in translation here below:

November 12, No. 10824.—In answer to yours of 7/19 November, 1896, No. 1751, M. C., I have the honor to inform the consulate that Anton Yablkowski, who was under sentence, has been, on the 11th of April last, acquitted by the highest court and liberated from the prison at Brest Rugavsky; also, I have to inform you that the document sent to me for him with your letter No. 1655, M. C., on the 5th of May this year, has not been handed over to Yablkowski. (Signed.)

The above-mentioned document is the one furnished through this consulate by his excellency minister plenipotentiary to said Yablkowski, with his letter of March 17. The whereabouts of Yablkowski is unknown at present to the court; therefore I beg you to inform me whether it be proper for us to demand the return of the document from the general attorney or to leave it in his hands as it is.

Awaiting further instructions, I am, etc.,

Joseph Rawicz,
United States Consul.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 447.]

Mr. Peirce to Mr. Rawicz.

Sir: Your letter of November 26 concerning Yablkowski is duly received. Referring to your letter of February 28 last, in which you state that his American passport as well as his citizen papers are attached to the acts of the case, and that should he be expelled from the Empire his said documents would be retained by the court, you requested to inquire as to whether his documents were finally returned [Page 509] to him on his release or whether they were held by the court, and to do your utmost to find out the last trace of Yablkowski as to his whereabouts in Russia. If he left the Empire, certainly the police authorities must know of it, and in any case it seems incredible that there should be no trace of him after leaving the court or place of his confinement.

With regard to the document sent through you to Yablkowski by this legation under date of March 17, and which it is stated was not handed to him, but has remained in the possession of the attorney-general, you are requested to ask for its return to you for transmission to this legation.

I am, etc.,

Herbert H. D. Peirce,
Chargé d’Affaires.