New-York tribune., 1891-02-06

Department has taken this ground. but seems to
be poweress TO obtain redress for the just grlev-
ances of American shp-owners. 1t will have an
opportunity, however. if reciprocity treaty be
negotiated, for incorporating in the existing COM
mercia agreement provisions for the protection
of American interests against these eX-
actions. Two stipulations requisite
one furnishing means for prompt appeal for the
remission OF fines for trivial offences, and the other
requiring payment of the penalty in full into the
treasury, that the informer cannot get his share
of it, These provisions of treaty law are needed
in order to enforce the principle of non-discrmna-
tion between the flags embodied in the existing
modus vvendi.
A good story is told of Captain Cotton. one of
the most aggressive Americans on the coast.
Owing to bad weather at Nassau he was compelled
10 leave port without landing a portion of his
cargo When he arrived at the Cuban ports he
rcported the case and announced that he would
land the cargo the return trip and send ny mail
a certificate from the Spanish Consul at Nassau
that the goods had been put ashore there. The
custom house officials would not listen 10 him. but
refused to clear his ship because cargo not intended
for Cuba had been brought in. lie allowed them
half an hour in which to come TO a decision. lie
,old them that in order TO protect the lives OF his
nossengers and TO save his ship he had been COM
nelled TO leave Nassau without landing portion OF
his cargo. and announced that if they refused 10
clear the vessel he would abandon II where IL lay
at anchor, hold them responsible Tor the cohse-
quenccs and take his crew in body 10 havana
before the Consul-Genera to protest against their
conduct 1t was bold stroke, but Captain Cotton
knew the men with whom he was dealing lhey
promptly cleared his ship.
The Consulate General of Havana is one OF the
most laborous and eXactng offices in the American
service Eot only is the volume of commercial
exchanges with the United States very great, Du'
there is also a mass of diplomatic WORK u pe dohe
here requiring experience, intellectual resources
and knowledge of international and CUBAN law
Not only are cases of customs eAactons similar 10
those already described constantly arising, but the
rights of American citizens are assalled IN many
other ways Mr.. Atkins, Of Boston, al
one time chartered line OF steamers TO carry
sugar from Cienfuegos, and Subsequently aoah
doned the enterprise. Several years aIIer 'ne
withdrawal of his vessels a claim was brought
against him for $12,929 50, alleged balances oil
tonnage due This was disputed, and on October
22. 1890. an attachment of $4,000 was placed on
one of his plantations San Jose, near CeniuegoS
The Consu -(ieneTal at once took up the case, con
tending that the responsibility Tor any mlsIlNc
made when the steamers were cleared lay WIN luc
customs officials; that they could not lnNaldatt
theif own clearance papers by bringing suit el@h.
years after blundcrs Of their own were committed
that under the treaties of '95 ana lHlJ the pro
ceedinps must be conducted by court, ana that
the customs officials had no right to deprive inc
defendant of the privilege OF hearing 'ne ch'IseS
made against him and employing counsel, ana
that the period mad expired by Limitation durins
which any claim could legally be MED ms i'
an illustration of the work which the IoISu I /
| General is constantly called upon TO 40 Inc
MARTINEZ case, i'll which private residence was
| attached last year for claim Of Sl3,l?6 ~
| brought against American member OF AahK-
rupt firm for the collection OF notes sBhcu pA an
| irresponsible wharf clerk, is another ana more
| complex one. Here, too, the Consul-CenrIal h'u
TO take the part OF special counsel Tor the American
victim of the revenue and mOety system Oi tupd'
| lie protested against the decree Ci tLr customs
officials as Illegal demanded a trial before law
| full Tribunal as treaty rght, ana pe4ueu t,o'
| the statute of limitations excluded the claim alto
| ccthcr The Spanish Government have sought L,
| Iestric1 Mr. Williamss powers to colniheiclal
| matters. but lie has taken the broad ground lA"t
under the most -flVOTcd-natlOn clause he can acV
as a representative of American interests with the
| comprehensive powers conferred 10y the Consular
| Treaty negotiated in 1876 between spain ana
| Germany. p-..,..,
| Mr.. Williams has been in office since President
| Arthurs Administration, and has been conversant
| with Cuban aiairs as merchant. sugar-plantcr
| and as Consul General for forty years. ne mas
| made himself indispensable TO every AdminlstTl-
| tion since his appointment. Whlle not an aitpr,
ney by training, he has legal haot OF lhlhu anu anu
succeeds admirably in defending American nights
in every controversy that arises 10 his crcdit II
| is said that during his long administration ol the
important Office which he holds not one Of his
| decisions has ever been reversed or modified No
other American understands the general bearings
| of the Cuban question equally well. The United
States Government is fortunate In having the
| services Of a very capable consular body through
| ont Cuba. Mr. Relmcr al Santiago and Mr..
| Peirce at Matanzas-both Democrats. I believe.
| but Americans through and through-arc most
useful officials Mr.. Pcirce told me at Matanzas
| that he had not only had yellow fever himself,
| but had followed Gight colleagues 20 the grave
during his term of Office The consular service in
| Cuba is not only most laborious. but il is also
| attended with most serious risks. With system
| of promotion such is known in England. men
who were faithful and successful in such plague
| spot as Cuba would be promoted IN the ranks
| anh francfnrrnd a OF hnr nnStS |. y. /.