The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-05
WASHINGTON.
A Declaration Of Intentions as a Claim Il
Rights Of Citizenship.
Spain Interested in the
Question.

WARRINGTON May 4. 1873
The Spanish and American Commission yester.
day acted upon the case No. H. Perfecto de Rojas
vs. Spain. The claimant declared his intention to
become citizen OF the United States according to
the forms required by act OF Congress- on the 2Sth
Of September, 1870. when he established his rest.
dence in the United States. Subsequent to such
action on his part he alleges, the Spanish authors
ties in Cuba seized and embargoed his property in
that island. This was done before the agreement
between the United States and Spain-February
IL, lS71-for the settlement OF the claims OF citi-
OF the United States, or Of their heirs against
the government OF Spain for wrongs and injuries
committed against their persons and property, or
against the persons and property OF those OF whom
the said heirs are the legal by tho
authorities Of Spain In the island OF Cuba, or
within the maritime Jurisdiction thereof since the
commencement Of the present insurrection.
The question submitted TO the arbitrator waA
whether Rojas was . citizen OF the United States
within the meaning OF this convention for the set
Element OF claims, or, In other words, whether tho
arbitrators had any jurisdiction to examine and
determine the merits Of this particular claim I'M
der the circumstances, as stated. The question
presented In the demurrer by the advocate for
Spain was that the declar alton to become citizen
could not under the municipal law Of the United
States make Rojas citizen Of this country, ana
that 1t imposed no new duties upon him, nor cons
ierred upon the government OF the United Statea
any new rights OF Jurisdiction hlm as friend
ly alien residing within their territory, which he
was at liberty to quit at his pleasure. After that
declaration, as before, he was simply subject OF
Spain.
The American arbitrator. Judge Otto. and the
Spanish arbitrator. Mr.. Potestad, differed in
opinion on this preliminary question, and there-
lore, in accordance with the convention, 1t viii be
submitted to Baron Lederer, the Austrian Minister,
who Is the umpire OF the commission for his optn-
ion and decision.
This is test question, and the determination Of
now pending.
The United States and Mexican Commits
sion.
Information has been received at the rooms Of
the joint United States and Mexican commission
that the Congress or Mexico has ratified the con.
vention extending the term OF the Commission for
the purpose of adjudcatlng the unfinished cases.
Sefor Zamoconia, In place of the former commas
sioner, Guzman, is now on his way to Washington.
Business will be resumed Immediately on his ar
rival.
Commissioner Van Buren's Successor.
The Presidents is expected here on Wednesday
next, when 1t is understood the successor OF Gen.
eral Van Buren, as Chief Commissioner OF the
United States at the Vienna Exposition will be an
nounced.
The Modest Congressmen.
About six congressman among those who have
turned their extra compensation into the Treasury
have accompanied the act with requests that their
names be withheld from the public.