Mr. Williams to Mr.
Rockhill.
Habana, May 5,
1896.
No. 2946.]
Sir: In continuation of my dispatches Nos.
2933, 2934, and 2938, of the 30th ultimo and 1st and 2d instant, in
relation to the capture of the American schooner Competitor, with several persons on board, near San Cayetano,
on the north coast of this island, to the westward of Habana, I now have
the honor to inclose for the information of the Department a copy, with
translation, of the answer of the acting
[Page 716]
admiral of this naval station to my communication
addressed him on the 30th instant in relation to this affair.
It will be noticed that the acting admiral informs me that the admiral in
chief is absent from Habana on a cruise, and that as soon as he returns
he will take under consideration and decide upon the several particulars
presented in my said communication of the 30th ultimo, with the
assurance that no essential determination will be taken in the meantime
to the detriment of the rights of the American citizens engaged in this
affair.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Ramon O. Williams,
Consul-General.
[Inelosnre No. 1, with dispatch No.
2946, Habana, May 5, 1896.—Translation.]
Commandancy-General of Marine and of the Spanish Naval
Station of the West Indies, Office of the General
Staff,
Habana, May 2,
1896.
Sir: His excellency the commanding general
of this station and squadron, to whom the exercise of the marine
jurisdiction belongs in this island and that of Puerto Rico, being
absent from the seat of government, there is no legal medium present
through which to reply, in view of their judicial character, to any
of the points to which your respectable official note of the 30th of
April last refers.
The said authority having been informed by me of the capture of the
schooner said to be called the Competitor, I
am expecting his immediate return, and as soon as this occurs he
will decide upon all the particulars treated of by you, my powers
being limited to the inspection of the proceedings which are being
carried on, in conformity with the provisions of the law of
organization and attributions of the marine courts, and to assure
you that in the meantime no essential determination will be taken in
detriment to the rights of any citizen of the nation which you so
worthily represent.
I have the honor to communicate the above to you in amplification of
my communication to you of yesterday.
God guard you many years.
Jose Gomez Imas,
Second in Command of this Naval
Station.
The Consul-General of the United States of
America.
