Mr. Powell to Mr.
Hay.
American Legation,
Santo Domingo
City, D. R., January 31,
1904.
No. 742, Santo Domingo Series.]
Sir: I have the honor to state to the
Department that the German consul, Mr. Von Krosigh, requested of me, in
the absence of a German naval vessel, to ask Captain Miller, of the U.
S. S. Columbia, to furnish a guard to conduct the
German vice-consul, Mr. Thormann, and his family, residing about 2 miles
from the city, into the city, as where he was all were-in grave danger,
and that Mr. Thormann had received orders to remove into the city within
forty-eight hours or to suffer the consequences.
Mr. Thormann also sent a similar request to me. I immediate communicated
the request to Captain Miller, who at once responded by sending a guard
of 40 marines from his ship under the command of Lieutenant Long. They
reported to this legation within an hour after the request was made.
Before they left the legation I called in person on the ministers, the
cabinet being in session, and made known to them that we would send a
guard to conduct the German vice-consul and his family into the city.
They informed me that they were very glad that we would do so, as the
Government was powerless to render the aid they would like to give.
I requested them to designate the gate through which we should pass, and
to remove so much of the barricade as to give to us egress, [Page 268] and also to give orders to the
commandants of the several forts that there should be no firing from
them while we were outside of the walls; that if attacked by the
insurgents we had ample means to protect ourselves.
The minister of the interior, General Ramon, who is acting as President
during the absence of the President, informed me that the necessary
orders would be given.
On leaving the city we kept in sight of the Columbia, who had guns so trained as to render assistance if
needed.
The German consul, Mr. Von Krosigh, and myself accompanied the
detachment. We were able to remove Mr. Thormann with family, and as much
of the portable property as could be readily taken, and returned to the
city without accident.
I have the honor to inclose the correspondence that has passed upon this
matter.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Von Krosigh
to Mr. Powell.
Kaiserlich Deutsches Consulat,
Santo Domingo, January 29, 1904.
Sir: The life and property of Mr. W.
Thormann, German subject, and his family, being in danger, and
having no German man-of-war at my disposal, I very respectfully ask
your assistance and intervention with the commander of the U. S. Columbia to help said Mr. Thormann and his
family to be escorted into town.
Yours, very respectfully, the German consul,
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
Mr. Thormann to
Mr. Powell.
Santo Domingo, January 28, 1904.
My Dear Mr. Powell: At this moment, at 6
p.m., I received a communication, a copy of which I inclose. The
chief of the revolution has given me forty-eight hours to move with
my family to the capital, so I beg you to give me all necessary help
to effect it. I need at least two large boats, one for the baggage
and another for the family. Do try to do all you possibly can so
that during that time there shall be no shooting on either side.
Your affectionate friend,
[Subinclosure.—Translation.]
Mr. Pelletier
to Mr. Thormann.
Encampment of San Geronimo,
January 28, 1904.
Dear Sir: Under the turn of the actual
circumstances which the political events have taken in the Republic,
and on account of the events which may occur in the future, I beg to
tell you, a foreign citizen, that the revolutionary committee which
I preside over has resolved that as long as the siege and blockade
of the capital may last you must change your actual residence and
elect another place in which you and your family shall live so you
and your family will not run any imminent risk. The committee having
to take shortly [Page 269] some
military dispositions, begs me to notify you that after the
expiration of forty-eight hours, counting from the moment this
communication is delivered to you, you must either go to the capital
or come to live at this encampment on the other side of our advance
guard. If you should not do so, there will be no legality in fixing
any class of responsibility upon any military chief nor upon any
moral or political being of the Republic.
The committee holds that from the point of view of international
right the Dominican Republic is not responsible for damages suffered
by foreigners on occasions of internal war, but in your own interest
and those of the revolution, which is represented by the committee
over which I preside, this notification is given to you, advising
you that it would be best for you to move in the time fixed to the
capital.
I salute, etc.
The president of the committee.
[Inclosure 3.]
Mr. Powell to
Captain Miller.
American Legation,
Santo
Domingo City, D. R., January 27, 1904.
Sir: I have received a communication from
Mr. von Krosigh, the German consul, that the German vice-consul, Mr.
Thormann, and family were in danger and that he had been ordered to
leave his place within forty-eight hours by General Pelletier, the
commander of one section of the insurgent forces. Mr. von Krosigh
requests of this legation such aid as we can render to safeguard Mr.
Thormann and his family from his house to the city, as he was
without such physical aid should the insurgents interfere, and as
the Columbia was in port would I request of
Captain Miller a guard.
In view of this request, I have the honor to ask you, if not contrary
to your instructions, if you will kindly send to our legation a
sufficient armed guard to afford protection to this gentleman and
his family. If you should do so, I would respectfully suggest that a
signalman be sent in order that we may be in communication with you
if necessary.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 4.]
Captain Miller
to Mr. Powell.
To Minister: I shall send a guard to you at
12.30 to escort the Germans to the city.
[Inclosure 5.]
Mr. Powell to
Captain Miller.
American Legation,
Santo
Domingo City, D. R., January 29, 1904.
Sir: I have the honor to state that I have
been to see the minister of interior and police, General Ramon, and
informed him that it would be possible, upon the request of Mr. von
Krosigk, that you would send an armed guard to escort to the city
the German vice-consul and family, and if the guard should be sent I
desired to know from what gate we could leave; also, that from the
time we left the city until our return that there should be
absolutely no firing from either forts or barricades; that we would
amply protect ourselves from the insurgent force and also would see
that no portion of such force should take advantage of our presence
and advance and make an attack upon the city.
The minister in reply assured me that orders would be given to cease
all firing during the time we were outside the city, and that he
would direct the chief in command of the Conde gate to give us
liberty to leave and enter.
[Page 270]
I have also the honor to state that I have informed the minister that
I could not permit anyone from the government side to accompany us,
as it would only invite attack from their enemies. I shall accompany
the detachment if sent.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 6.]
Mr. von Krosigk
to Mr. Powell.
Kaiserlich Deutches Consulat,
San Domingo, January 29, 1904.
Sir: I have the honor to thank you for the
valuable assistance that you and the commander of the U. S. S. Columbia have given by escorting Mr. W.
Thormann and his family into town.
I will not omit to communicate to my Government this kind action.
The German consul,
[Inclosure 7.]
Mr. Powell to
Captain Miller.
American Legation,
Santo
Domingo City, D. R., January 30, 1904.
Sir: I have the honor to express to you, as
the captain of the U. S. S. Columbia, the
thanks of my legation for the response to my request for an armed
guard to bring the German vice-consul, Mr. Thorman, and family from
his residence to the city.
I also desire in this connection to commend to you the excellent
judgment of Lieutenant Long, in charge of the marine corps, and the
perfect discipline of the men in his command.
I shall with pleasure make this statement in my dispatches to the
Secretary of State of your ready response and the perfect discipline
of your command.
It also affords me further pleasure to say that I am glad that this
aid was rendered to one in the consular service of His Imperial
Majesty the German Emperor.
I have, etc.,
