The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-07
Escape Of Another American Citizen FROM
Foreign Tyranny.
ARRIVAL OF JOHN HABEN AT SYRACUsE-HIsTORY


From the Syracuse Republican, April 81
Our readers will remember that weeks since pub
lie meetings held in this city by the military com
panes and resolutions adopted calling the attention OF
the United States government to the ciga and
imprisonment in Prussia Of John Hnbcn, resident Of
this city, naturalized citizen and voter and men,
Der of one Of the military companies here Governor
Marcy subsequently replied through Mr.. Jones, our
member of Congress, that he had called the attention
OF the American Minister at Berlin to the case but no
official answer has yet been received.
This morning we had the pleasure Of seeing John Ha-
ben in our Office he having arrived at New York on
board the ship Isabelle from Havre Monday evening
last and reached his friends in this city last night he
gives US the following particulars of his arrest aud
treatment by tho Prussian authorities -
Mr. Habenis native Of Prussia, thiry.one years
OF age and came TO this country twelve ago
and became citizen. Having business in his native
town he procured passport from the Department Of
board the packet ship Daniel Webster New York for
Liverpool on the 4th day Of October last After pas
sage of thrtysx days he reached Liverpool, where he
remained three days. thence went by way of Havre to
Paris and thence to Urixwer Prussia the left bank
Of the Rhine about two hundred and forty miles from
Paris where he arrived latter part of November and
reported American citizen. Two days after his
arrival the bgomaster of Asweier who resides in tho
village Of San Wendan that district and six miles from
Urxwiller notified him to appear before him. with pro-
mise to acknowledge and sign his reported American docu
ments and thus let him remain pass as American
citizen.
Accordingly, within ten days he went to the burgo-
meister and handed over his passports, who retained
them and caused him to be arrested by the armed police
for contumacy in not reporting himself sooner and also
descrte from the Prussan army, In having left the
country without permission, although he under
twenty years OF when he left, that being the
when the young men liable to be called into active
service in the army.
After Imprisonment of twelve days he was trans-
ported to Saarbridgen, six miles, and imprisoned ten
days and thence eighteen miles further to Saarouse
Prussan fortress the river Saar and imprisoned
days. He then searched, most Of his clothes and
valuabes taken from him. and compelled by threats Of
longer imprisonment and Hogging put the Prussian
uniform and swear allegiance to the government al
though he protested his rights American citizen.
Here he remained four weeks under guard, but not
ceived soldier in the ranks although occasionally
drilled.
deserted at six !. NJ by crossing the moat canal be-
fore daylight and by travelling circuitous route for
nine hours he reached the village Of Forbach within
the French boundaries. six seven miles from Saar
louise where he was safe from pursuit. To an entire
stranger Mons fssier prominent citizen OF Forbac,
he happened first to make known his situation and his
rights and Mons +. became security for him in
the police office FOR having entered France without
ia assport Many other French citizens OF Forbach be-
frendod him and he remained there ten days, when he
went Havre and remained eight days, till the sailing
of The Isabelle, February 10
While Imprisoned at San Wendal Mr.. Haben wrote to
the L. s. Consul at Frankfort the Main, who referred
him to tho American Minister at Berlin. He wrote
twice 10 the latter but received reply before making
his escape ON leaving the Prussian territory he di-
vested himscli of his military coat and hat and threw
them the ground, retaining nothing but the pants,
which he dsngurcd by oblteratng the stripes Fortu-
tunatey for him he had $40 in American gold secreted
in his drawers when he made his escape which enabled
him to return his home and friends In this city We
glad thus chronicle his safe arrival and trust that
the general government in such clear case OF wrong
the part of Prussia will insist on definite settle
ment OF the principle of American citizenship and OBJ
tain for him such redress and compensation as the az
prayatcd circumstances OF the really entitle him to-