The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-07
MIRIAM THE MURDERER.

CONSUL GENERAL FAIRMAN AND THE PERSIAN
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW.
Mr.. L. l.. Fairman, United States Consul General
at Cairo Egypt is now in this city ON his way back
to the of his duties. He interviewed by q
HERALD reporter last evening on the case OF L. p.
Miriam, the Persian, who naturalized in Boston
in 1856 and thereafter returned to Smyrna and
thence to Alexandria. At the latter city in 1876 he
established newspaper and exposed the rottenness
of Egypt's finances. but hushed by subsidy
and pension from the Ministry When payment
ceased and he sued for back rent by the
Khedive. on whose estate his house located. the
Persian revenged himself upoI the rulers counsel
Dahan Boy. whom he shot dead in the street at
Alexandria the 18th of last July Abiding the
telegram in yesterdays HERALD. Mr.. Fairman
said:-'I did not go to Washington especially on
the Miriam case though that was of the most
important topics that engaged my attention with
the department. was advised how to act. though
not instructed The only knowledge have OF tn 0
Miriam case is what 1 have gathered from tho
HERALD and my official dispatches. the crime having
been committed two days after my departure from
Egypt"
1.-THE Consular Court is fully established by the
laws OF the United States with power to try all of
fences committed by American citizens in foreign
country. 1t has, like al other courts. the power
other capital offence, four assessors-I believe
that the number-st with me as associate judges,
and together render our decisions. or course
there is an appeal from our judgment, and that Is
made direct to Washington.
s'Who the assessors?"
american citizens resident in the country.
The Consul General makes out list of them. all
OF them qualified to act, and from this list the
essary number according the question to be tried,
is drawn by lot. the jures here, . sop
arate drawing being had for each case. The system
IL different with each country. II person is
rested for any crime by the Egyptian authorities he
IL turned within twenty-four hours to the
sular of his country to DO tried and
punished according to his own laws.
AMERICAN CITIZENS.
I'm regard to American citizens we have prison
nearer than smyrna. There is also some arranpe-
ment in regard 10 prisoners ut Constantinople. We
have In Egypt. however. consular Jail. common to
all such officials. in which conine those punished
for minor offences, and III which Miriam Is
held. For grave capital crimes however, should
suppose tho offender would DO sent home for
punishment, or at least, IL any communication il
made in q sentence, the authority committing
always appoints the place of Communication. The
President therefore direct all Americans to be
removed under such circumstances to any State
prison III this country. Otherwise Smyrna would
be the destination OF American criminals sentenced
In any part of the Ottoman Empire.
be committed should have gone forth. 1t will un-
doubtedy reach him in the columns of yesterday
HERALD and will affect him on his trial. when
ond thought shonld convince him that no President
or other authority in the world commute u
tence before it Is pronounced. No evidence, even,
has yct been tax zen in his case"