New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-08
REITER SEVERELY CENSURED.
SECRETARY TRACY CHARGES HIM WITH
GROSS NEGLECT OF DUTY.
VIGOROUS LETTER on THE BERRUNDIA AFFA1H
WHY The COMMANDER OF THE RANGER
CANNOT BE TRUSTED WITH THE
CHARGE or SHIpotwAK
fry TELEGRAPH TO THE TkIBCNE.I

Navy, who commanded the Ranger at san Jose at the
time Of the killing OF BaTrundia. The substance OF
the communication, indicating the position of the Navy
Department in the matter, has already been detailed IN
these dispatches. Mr. Tracy calls attention TO the fact
that this the first instance in which tho Department
has been called upon to censure severely command
ing officer for failure 10 appreciate the importance Of
prompt action which failure has resulted in needless
loss Of life.
The greatest offence in the eyes Of the Department
consisted in Commander Relter asking Guatemala for
permission to Offer asylum to Barrundia. The posi-
ton in which the service has been placed by this
thoughtless action Of Commander Reitcr nstfes the
Sectarys statement that he has lesson 10 learn be
fore he can safely be entrusted with the command OF
a ship of war;
The secrcary's letter establishes the relations Of
commanding officer, to the diplomatic agents Of the
United states. 1t has never. If one may judge from
the comments Of Naval officers in this matter. been
apparcn 10 what extent Minister Of the United States
controlled the naval force in his vicinity. The present
letter clearly specifies the independence OF the
Naval commander. and states that his action must be
on his own responsibility. and that for errors OF
Judgment the officer Will be held to q strict &C
countability since nothing but the errors Of his s
pcrior can shift the burden 10 another
secretary Tracy's letter was, in part as follows:
Your reports show that Augu-v - you were l'lne
with the Ranger and the Thcs on san Jose Huat"m@a
The Acapulco. American passenger steamer making
san Jose arrived toward the Of the day. ~ 30
D. Of that day the Acapulco being then in sight but not
yet having reached her anchorage. you received an IN
tmatlon Of the purpoes Of Guatualan Government
from United States Minister who informed YOU mat
the steamer had beard passenger. General Barrunda
whom tho territorial Government regarded - Plu'i
enemy and liable 10 arrest entering their waters
appear that under these circumstances you
took any sNp to communicate with the steamer, to IN
form yourself fully of the facts or to warn IN" '"
tain Of the risk passenger about N encounter
OF this upon the receipt Of the information con
sind Minister'S telegram. went on shore ana
elegraph~d To the latter suggestion that he 'houa AK
the Guas mas, permit the Thcti~ t. tax"
General Basrunda back Acapulco. from which pla"o h"
had come While you thus occupied. the steamer
arrived tho port and 10 anchor While on shore you
requested local Guatcmalan Government oncer to sus
pend action until You received reply to your telegram
which request refused comply with going aboard tho
returning. without however, attempting at
this time u make any did not accompany tho
ouater.an orcer this visit. did you 60 on board
Acapulco have any communication with her cap
tain either thee during the whole q tho night
At . 30 a m. on the following day Won received
second telegram from the Uni,-d STATE. Minister. stating
that tho GuatNmslan Government declined your orer 81
TAX. General B,rrundIa in the nets From your
second report IL appears went on board the
Acapulco soon after receiving THIS telegram and h'h IN
Inooncusye conference with Captain Pits Although
according report at about r m ~ was th"nsht
that number ~ shots were heard board the Acapulco
r m at,r tho death ~ General Barfundia. When Lou
tenant Bartlett who Ind Teen y-tnR N" steamer r''
ported that ming had been taking pac" on board ana
protection desired.
In the opinion 81 tho Department conduct upon
your own showing Is deserving Of unqualified c'n'nre.
In your situation command N fore" Of public vessels
n United States in the territory which II not ~ NAV
moment az war, hsd recently been u" scene Z" h"'tl'
tee a. well oi civil disturbance. was Your dnV
u watch with tho most active soucitudc over Tho
Interest Of country that quarter and especially IL
lntrc.ts afoat Prom tho moment that the approach ~
the \ apulco 4 steamer bearing the American Far was
known To Won YOU should have Hp legally IN
power continuance and support . he" 'sfn
nd pIotcc 10 all prson- on board especially "'" $40"
know their -afoty koy b. D." n"nac"d ln-''f
o, ihi. In your appirc,t cntavo- ccaI" responsibility
YOU rcriinod courlctciy passive that - fer a. events
on hoard NJ Acapulco concerned Won and your
scs might o.. ve have boon IN" other -d' Of M" "-"n
whoncver any pas.onger whether American or foreign
ls received lizard American vessel hc comes rndf
The American nig and il entitled 10th" protection and "
curitv of which that nag is the Eusranhe A. ''a r
lpyioabiity has 10 peace exception quail
nca,ion. foreign ports - qualified only nv the local
exercise OF he territorial authority Whatsvrf hv"
been the extent Of this authority vessel anchored
within m. port American steamer. before >he 'nt"rci
tho port and she lon A. independent Of such
authority a. your ship the soil ~ your own
country within your Legitimate power. a. - was
vour Imperative DUTY. IA execute. bv every n'an'
legally At your command the guarantee q protect
which tho United Stltos gives to al Nc'-'I'
under its ras Your ships wet" on III" spot yol h'd
full knowedg. OF General Barrunds approach YOU "ef'
Informed Of the intention sci7c him political o.
fender he was a fugitive from the Territory oi
Cuatcmala seeking escape from tho territorial lurid
ton Neither he con>ptatOr attempting q return
u his country fomont revolution II" wa- a'-"na'
on board American ship and he had thus obtained
n,o. under the and protection Of the Tinted states
In hl. situation YOU found His safety threat
ened Under circumstance wss your plain Outs "
proceed at the steamer borc she cast anchor
In the port the captain Of the danger and 70
orer to his passenger should he de-itc IT, asylum on
hoard your ship. Had you merely gone out to inform
yourself personally ~ the facts would nave learned
that General Barrundis had Intention u entering Noun
,arv the Guatcmalsn territory Had YOU learned these
facts Of which you undoubtedly been appred
upon reaching the steamer II /, impossible To-
.,nooe that YOU would failed the fugitive
an asylum. remaining inactive, You neglected your
obvious duties and placed Government In the position
~ rcnouncing those sheltered themselves under
It's nag.
tn Captain PITTS question whether you would send
guard on board the Acapulco at the Joint request u him
self and the comnandant, You made this extraordinary
answer: ''Whcn you ask Will give you reply
That IL was your deliberate intention remain inactive
in the absence formal appcatonS further evidenced
nv your extraordinary delay In PROCEEDING board the
steamer on the afternoon OF August 70 when the sound
OF firing showed b. you that an array was taking place
Your first report AT about .. 10 thought
thu. number Of shots heard board the Acapulco
and at 10 the Guntemalan nag hauled down from
The fore and United States flag hoi~t"d In Its stead w"
I supposed the United States Minister was on board
Rut AZ = 30 when the whalebcot alongside with
IIcutcnants Batctt and Haley. who had been visiting
the Acapulco Lieutenant 5arct reported to that the
commaidant board, and that proniscuons hrinf
had been going board the ship, and that they desired
nrotecon the United States the fore having been
hoisted IN signify that desire immediately lclt u' snip
+, the gig 10 90 alongside Che Acapulco and ordered
Lieutenant Harris follow At once with an arn'd
marty Of marines whalcboa On my arrival on inc
,capulco found all quiet and necessity for any pro
lection, ~ that arrival Of Lieutenant HarflS y"
no,onts afterward directed him b. the Ranger
H. is believed that few have ever occurred IN
tho history OF the United States Navy where com
handing officer 40 completely abandoned The RESPONSE
bilitics OF his position as according TO your Wv"
shaving YOU did upon this critical 0cca'op'
United State, oniccr not ask ~ foreign goN'r'"
pcrnlssi asylum person on board All Am'
can vessel at sea who stands In need Of refuge An
ontcer who abdcates his authority and that Oh "'