Department of State,
Washington
,
January 28,
1902
.
No. 443.]
Hoping that the district attorney’s report will be considered a
satisfactory explanation of the matter, I avail myself, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
United States attorney for
the district of Oregon to the Attorney-General
.
Portland, Oreg.
,
January 16, 1902
.
Sir: Your two communications, dated January
10 instant, with reference to the complaint made by the chargé
d’affaires ad interim of the French Republic at Washington, that
Articles VIII and IX of the Franco-American consular convention of
[Page 399] February 23, 1853, are
frequently violated and ignored by the State and Federal officers at
this port, are just at hand and contents noted. Permit me to say in
reply that I have made a careful investigation of the cause of this
complaint, and inquiry at the office of the United States marshal
for this district discloses that the marshal and his deputies have
at all times lent their willing assistance to the consular agent of
the French Republic stationed at this port, Mr. Labbe, whenever
requested, and have apprehended a great many French sailors in this
port and delivered them to the said consul. There has been no
application of any kind to my office, save and except by the said
consular agent, for advice as to the manner of procedure to
recapture deserting sailors. This I gave him, and have at all times
held myself in readiness to aid and assist him in any manner.
I also investigated the case of the libeling and seizure of the
French vessel Amiral Cornulier in this port,
and find the facts to be as follows.
That a libel was filed in the district court of the United States by
a seaman against said vessel for wages upon December 10, 1901. A
warrant was issued by the court without any knowledge or notice to
what country the ship belonged, or whether foreign or domestic. The
vessel was discharged upon a bond being given in the sum of $150. On
the 27th of December exceptions to said libel were filed, and on the
same date a protest by the French consul was also filed. The matter
has not been called as yet to the attention of the court, but will
be dismissed as soon as the court learns officially of the facts in
the case. Judge Bellinger has at all times been careful and
particular to carry out the rules of the various treaties with
foreign countries in relation to their shipping interests, and his
rulings in cases of this kind have so far always been favorable to
the various consular officers who are representing the interests of
their countries, and I feel assured that there is no cause for
complaint at this port.
There is a very bad crimping system in vogue here. I am informed that
French sailors have been enticed into the sailor boarding houses and
then transported over into the State of Washington and secreted,
pending the extortion of blood money from the masters or agents of
the vessels. But these matters are difficult to prove, and the
masters of vessels or agents are loath to make complaint for fear of
greater loss and detention at the hands of the boarding house
keepers. And I think that the cause of complaint arises from this
source and not from the failure or refusal of Federal officials to
perform their duties.
Very respectfully,
John H. Hall, United States Attorney.
