Ambassador Reid to
the Secretary of State.
American Embassy,
London, May 26,
1906.
No. 205.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose a copy of a
letter I have received to-day from Mr. R. E. Stuart, a brother of the
late Mr. W. H. Stuart, our vice-consul at Batoum, in which it is
requested, on behalf of the deceased’s family that should the
circumstances of his death be such as reported in the newspapers the
American Government should take action to secure the punishment of the
offenders and compensation for his family.
I have been unofficially informed that no claim for compensation from the
family of Mr. Stuart, who was a British subject, has yet reached the
foreign office, but that should one be made His Majesty’s Government
would “take it up.” In my acknowledgment of Mr.
[Page 1293]
R. E. Stuart’s letter, while advising him that I
was forwarding his letter to you, I have also suggested to him that this
course should be adopted.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Stuart to
Ambassador Reid.
Bedford Street, Stroud,
Glos,
May 24,
1906.
Sir: I venture to call your attention to
the circumstances as reported in the daily papers under which my
brother, Mr. W. H. Stuart, an English subject and your vice-consul,
residing at Batoum, Caucasus, Russia, met with his death on Sunday
evening the 19th instant. At present no further details appear to be
known in England than those which have appeared in the daily
papers.
It is clearly a case in which the circumstances should be thoroughly
investigated, and if possible the offenders brought to justice, and
I can not doubt that you or the proper representative of the United
States will take all prompt and effective measures with this object
in view. At any rate, on behalf of Mr. Stuart’s family, I shall feel
grateful if you could give them some assurance on the subject.
Whether it is a case in which the Russian Government should be asked
for compensation is, I think, a matter for serious consideration,
because certain members of his family will, in consequence of his
death, be deprived of definite financial assistance which he was
rendering them, and I think it is right that this question should be
submitted to you at an early date.
I know that Mr. P. Stevens, H. B. M. consul at Batoum, was a great
friend of my brother’s and will, I am sure, do all that lies in his
power in the matter; at the same time if there is anything which can
be done by headquarters to strengthen his hands, I should be
grateful.
If the Russian Government are incapable, as they apparently are, of
maintaining proper order in their country, and of protecting the
life of residents therein, I think they should be made to suffer the
consequences of their failure to do so, particularly when a blow is
struck at the official representative of a friendly nation.
I feel sure that, as the representative of the United States at the
port of Batoum, his case will receive at your hands the best
consideration and assistance which can possibly be given with the
object of insuring that justice shall be done on all sides.
I shall be glad to furnish you with any further information in my
power.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 2.]
[Clipping from The Standard, May 22, 1906.]
Mr. Stuart, an Englishman who occupied the post of American
vice-consul at Batoum, has been murdered there. Mr. Stuart was a
nephew of the late Major Stuart, formerly British consul-general at
Odessa.
A Reuter’s Batoum message adds that the murder took place in a villa
at 11 o’clock on Sunday night. The murderer escaped.
Mr. William H. Stuart was, according to one of the principals of the
Mac-Andrew Forbes Company, of Cannon street, who knew him well, one
of the most popular men in the Caucasus. He was gifted as a
linguist, and spoke nearly every continental language. Three years
ago Mr. Stuart succeeded Mr. Chambers as American vice-consul at
Batoum, but he was a British subject, born in England, where his
mother and two brothers now live. Just before his appointment as
vice-consul he visited this country, and was at the time of his
death contemplating another holiday. Mr. Stuart was managing partner
in the firm of F. A. Matinevich & Co., and also represented
several British firms, the most important of these being the
MacAndrew Forbes Company, already mentioned, and which was the first
to have tidings of his death. Details are not expected for another
ten days.
