The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-03-05
FOR FUGITIVE ROGUES.
Extradition Treaty With Eng.
land Ratified.
Manslaughter Defined and False
Pretenses Excluded.

The extradition treaty between the United
States and Great Britain, which was negc-
tiated last year by Secretary Blaine and Sir
Julian Pauncefote has been ratified by the
Senate. Certain changes were made in the
language Of tie document, however, and
these will require the consent Of the British
Government if the treaty is to stand as rati-
fed.
When the treaty was discussed in secret
session, some of the Democrats, led by Mr.
Gray, made an earnest effort to strike out
manslaughter from the list of offences made
extraditable. The publication of this fact
was very annoying to some of the Senators,
who think the public ought to be kept in en-
tire ignorance of their doings. When the
treaty was taken up again. behind the closed
doors, there was good deal of fault finding
and sharp criticism because some of the SEN
ate secrets had been exposed. Senators,
therefore, were disposed to be unusually reti-
cent about the days proceedings
1t was known, however, as already stated,
that amendments were made to the treaty
before it was ratified. Mr.. Gray's proposal
to strike out manslaughter from the
new list of offences was defeated by
a majority vote. 1t was argued in be-
half of the motion that mansaughter was
not the same offense in the two countries,
and many decisions of British and Ameri-
can courts were quoted to show the diff
ferent legal interpretations Of manslaughter
which the courts have put on record. The
arguments did not prove strong enough to
induce the Senate to eliminate manslaughter,
butit resulted, it is understood. in the inser-
tion of o. definition of the offense of man.
slaughter, as the United States intended it to
be understood in carrying out the terms of
the treaty. II is not believed that there will
be any hesitation on the part of Great Brit
ain in promptly accepting the inserted defni-
tion Of the offenSe of lnanSlaughter.
After disposing of the manslaughter pro-
vision it was proposed to omit from the list
of extraditable otfenses the crime of obtain
ing money, goods, or valuable securities
under false pretenSes, and over this there
was a long discussion, resulting, it is be-
ieved, in the adoption of the amendment.
These are said to be the only changes of inl-
portance made in the treaty, which was rati-
fed by vote much larger than the necessary
two-thirds.
The treaty makes the following crimes ex-
traditable in addition to those specified in
the treaty of 1S42:
Manslaughter, counterfeiting or altering
money or putting the same in circulation:
embezzlement, larceny, fraud by bailee
banker, agent, factor, trustee, director,
member, or officer of any company made
CRIMINAL Dy the laws OF DOth countries: per-
jury or subornagion Of perjury; rape, abduc-
tion, child stealing kidnapping; burglary;
piracy, by the law of nations; mutiny at sea,
wrongfully sinking or destroying vessel OF
attempting to do so assaults on the high seas;
crimes and ofenses against the laws Of both
countries for the suppression of slavery and
slave trading.
Extradition is not to be had for political
offences, nor shall any person surrendered by
either party be tried for any other offense
than the one for which he was extradited.
The treaty shall not apply to any crimes
committed before its ratification.
Sir Julian Pauncefotc, the British Minis
ter, was greatly pleased with the action of
the Senate in ratifying the first treaty he
has negotiated, and it has given him fresh
fncourag cement in the work he is now en-
gagged in with Mr.. Blaine, of trying
to settle the fisheries dispute, the
RBfhE5ing B5g sse trouble, rea ead pu;t;hs' the
Minister was not disposed to spend much
time upon these treaties until he had learned
something of the temper Of the Senate t6
ward the work Of Mr. Blaine. From the
fact that the Minister has been in daily con-
ference with Mr. Blaine for the previous ten
days or more upon the fishery matter, it is
inferred that Sir Julian had received assur-
ance that the extradition treaty would be
ratified and that the Senate was in the hu-
NOR to back up the Secretary Of State and
the Administration.