The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-08
OF NINE TAILS.
Fetary Tracy Lays it on a
Naval COward's Back. :
MURDER OF eARRuNDIA,
lander Reiter Permitted . Politi.
Refugee to Be Slain Under the
shadow Of Freedoms Flag.

aNdToN cry, Jan. secretary Tracy
lHen letter of unqualified censure TO
8aer ke1ter, who was relieved OF his
q Tor his action at san Jose when senior
WITH the Ranger and Thetis, at the
Toe killing of General Barrundia
- ne steamer Acapulco. The following
VIII serve to show the severity of the
cur situation, in command of force OF
vessels OF the United States in the terri.
lich, II not at that moment at war, had
been the scene of hostilities as we'll as
saroanees, IL was your duty 10 watch
e most active solieitude over the inter
sear country in that quarter, and espe-
- Interests atoat. From the moment
.s,ppfoach OF the Acapulco, steamer
~ american iiag, was known 10 you,
q I, - nave taken every step legally in your
~sNe cvuntenapec and support TO her
ana protection 10 all persons on board.
Wnen you knew their safety was
menaccd Instead of this, in your
y ehoeayor TO escape responsibility, you
4 70 completely passive that as far as the
" uoaru the Acapulco were concerned, YOU
~ vessels might as well have been on the
ae OF the ocean.
u never any Passenger, whether an Ameri-
agrsgner, is received on board an Amer
q s ~, ne comes under the American flag
aau ~. 20 the protection and security of
49, 49, nag II a guarantee. il was within
aae power. as II was your imperative
\. sSa .aute og every means legally at your
y ~ VIZ glarautee OF protection which the
sssates gives all vessels under its flag
M were on the spot; YOU had full
" GENERAL Barrundia's approach;
informed OF the intention to seize him
eoM offender. Tie was not a fugitive
r.-,. eatltofy or Guatemala, seeking 70
e. sssnriSl jurisdiction neither was he q
r. attempting TO return TO his country
tYoiuuon. He was a passenger on
: american ship, which he had boarded.
uestinailon Panama, and he
~ :. without your invention and
- 1he locsi jurisdiction, obtained u
Ss..s me Tag and protection of the
IN this situation he found his
- threatened, Under these eircum-
y. Foar plain duty to proceed at
- 1he steamer before she cast anchor
Il. warn The captain of his danger. and
- passengers, should he desire IL, an
n n eafu your ship. Even after the
en sns acapulco IN port your power of
Scuon was by no means taken
seIe IN particular three points in
s~s,sAisang situation imposed duty on
e~li . naval officer, namely: First, 20
s.sss ~ 'estigatiop of the facts, 10 aseer.
-. .eney OF the charge and of the
y, /" s'iVA the proposed removal OF the
80 80 pased; second, to prevent by your
s ..sl such assistance as you might find
esns proceedings on board the steamer
49,. ~ snuanger the safely of those on
IL 80, y, upon examination, il appeared
sae was % De attempted without
,hhat' or that the proceedings were
w nAtare OF pretext 20 secure the
8Sntleal fugitive. 10 offer him, in &C
/. ~ the humane and well established
N, ne case OF refugees whose lives are
1le hospitality OF your own vessel In
s. se.sa particulars does i; appear that you
tracy closes the letter in the follow
Al Is believed that few csses have
~ - N the history 81 the United states
~. commanding officer so completely
- responsibilities OF his position rs.
KY ~ ~ your own showing. you did upon
=. - oSeasion. A United States officer
9. foreign government permission
sssleun 10 any person on board an
l ssssei az sea who stands in need OF re-
= s. .aeer DO so ahdiCates his authority
We nation he represents. aud sar-
~ ~ otherS. has lesson 20 learn before
- ee entrusted with the command OF