Ambassador Meyer to
the Secretary of State
.
American Embassy,
St.
Petersburg
,
June 5,
1906
.
No. 532.]
Sir: In regard to the murder of the United
States vice-consul at Batoum, Mr. W. H. Stuart, I now beg leave to
inclose for the information of the department, a copy of a letter dated
May 22, and its inclosure, from the British consul at that place,
reporting the circumstances of the crime.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
British Consul Stevens to Ambassador Meyer
.
British Consulate,
Batum
,
May 22,
1906
.
Sir: It was with deep regret that I had to
wire you this morning as follows:
“Extremely regret have to report murder of Vice-Consul Stuart last
night. Murderers unknown.”
In confirmation of the above, I do not think I can do better than
inclose to you a copy of my dispatch of yesterday’s date to the
British chargé d’affaires in St. Petersburg relative to the
assassination of Vice-Consul Stuart, which is herewith appended.
Mr. Stuart’s loss will be felt throughout the whole of the Caucasus,
and many an American citizen will miss the cheery welcome of their
late vice-consul at this port.
It has been arranged that the funeral shall take place to-morrow.
I am, etc.,
P. Stevens,
H. B. M.’s Consul.
[Inclosure 2.]
British Consul Stevens to the British Chargé
d’Affaires
.
British Consulate,
Batum
,
May 21,
1906
.
Sir: It was my painful duty to telegraph
you this morning as follows:
“Owing to murder of British subject and American Vice-Consul Stuart
last night shall be unable to proceed Tiflis to-night; shall forward
report re case Stock to-morrow or next day.”
[Page 1295]
In confirming the foregoing message I have the honor to report that
while Mr. Stuart was proceeding on foot at 10.30 p.m. last night
along a secluded part of the road leading to his country residence
at Makendjaouri he was fired at three times by some unknown persons
who were concealed in the bushes. All three shots took effect, one
in the left knee, another just above the left hip, and the third
bullet piercing the left arm below the elbow, lodged itself in the
region of the heart.
Mr. Stuart was picked up in a dying condition shortly after the
occurrence, by a friend who was staying at the villa and by two of
his servants, who ran in the direction from which the report of the
firing came. He was only able to give a few words of instructions to
them and say that he had been shot at by two men.
The body was brought to his town residence about 1.30 a.m., and I
immediately roused all the authorities, including the governor,
chief of the district, procureur, police, etc., etc., and a
searching inquiry was then and there instituted on the spot and is
now being carried out.
It is reported this afternoon that two men have been arrested on
suspicion as being implicated in the murder, and the general opinion
appears to be that these men were paid to assassinate Mr. Stuart,
who was respected and beloved by all those whom he knew and all
those who had dealings with him.
It is generally supposed that the crime was committed through either
envy or revenge, seeing that the small sum of money which he had on
him, his watch and chain, and the contents of his pockets were not
touched.
I have, etc.,
