Daily Los Angeles herald., 1881-10-08
An American Citissn's Arrest in
Germany.


The San Francisco Chronicle con.
talns the following account, which,
II true. Is worthy of the comment
they make upon it:
In June, 1877, the attention of
the authorities at Washington wac
called to the case of one Largo
Messina, . citizen Of the United
States undergoing compulsory mil.
itary service in Italy, which coun-
try he left when only two years OF
age In company with his father,
who migrated to the United States
and settled in this city, where he
subsequently, took out naturaliza-
ton papers. Secretary Evarts op.
ened an. official correspondence
with the italian Government look.
ing toward the release of Meesina,
bub 1t resulted in nothing and the
unfortunate young man had to
serve his time in the regular army.
A SAN DIEaAN SEIZED.
Another case of similar nature,
In which the Prussian authorities
have trampled under foot the rig hts
Of an American citizen and SUBJ
jected him to compliance with
their military laws, has just come
to light upon the return to this
country of the victim, Martin J.
Beier, of San Diego. The story
told by Mr.. Beier bears the impress
Of truth, and should receive the
prompt attention of the authorities
IN Washington, who, 1t would
seem, ought to take steps to pre-
vent foreign Powers from Insulting
the United States laws and jeop-
ardizing the liberty of our citizens
travelling abroad under the author
ity Of an American passport.
Mr.. BEERS STORY.
The story told by Mr.. Beier is as
follows: "My parents were resi-
dents of the small village Of Carls-
bruok, near DantzIg, in Prussia,
where I was born on the 18th of
November, 1850. In March, 1868,
when in my eighteenth year-two
years prior to the period when I'M
der the laws Of the country would
be subject to military duty-I OBJ
tanned from Johann Hoge, Burgo
master of Carlsbruck, perm ission
to visit my uncle, who was resid-
ing in this country. A few days
after obtaining the permit I EN-.
barked, and eventually arrived In
the United States; and after visit
Ing my relative for a short time,
came to California and settled In
San Diego, where I have since re-
sided, having taken out naturaliza-
ton papers there in 1875. In 1870,
or when I was 20 years old, was
subject to military duty in Prussia,
had / been there. The authorities
there were aware of this fact, and
during that year entered a fine of
$50 marks against me, fact I dis.
covered on my return there last
June.
AN ARBITRARY ARREST.
sit was In May last that 1 deter.
mined to visit my father, and pro.
ceeded to Washington, where 1 OBJ.
tAined q pass port from the De.
partmeut Of State and sailed for
Prussia, arriving home on the 18th
Of June. About II o'clock on the
night of June 2lst, three days sub.
soQuent to my arrival, while at
my fathers house, Martin Scha.
maud, the new Burgomaster, en-
tered and essayed to place me I'M
der arrest. demonstrated, and it
was only after I had informed him
that he would have to kill me before
I would with him, that he desisted
and released me on parole and
placed me under surveillance. l
then called upon the American
Consul at Dantzig, Mr.. Collins,
who advised me to pay the fine
and sue for its recovery. Under
this advice paid the money, but
being pressed for time, and my
business demanding my immedi-
ate return, I could not remain to
Lproscute the suit. I intend, how
ever, to take Immediate steps for
the recovery of my money.D