New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-15
TIE HETHERING TON CASE.
PUBLIC SYMPATHY IN YOKOHAMA TUENlN" ~
FAVOR OF THE AMERICAN OFFICER


San Francisco, March IA C'peciall.-Advces from
ynohom, received to-day show that popular feeling Is
turning in favor Of Lieutenant lIctherngtoi Oh INC
Marion who shot George Cover Robinson ior u"uuo
intimacy with his wife. AT first the HiltSh ieci"s
ran HIGH and there was much talk OF "coio-oiooio'
butchcry,, etc, but when all the facts OF inc ehoo'"5
came ont as well as OF Robnsons record with married
women sentiment began to favor the Ancrlcal' I'm,
was aided BY coroner's verdict OF "wiliul iiuruc''
ub,cb vnc uot horne out by facts Admiral Bclknap
wbo arrived in san Francisco to-day, gave the ceai'C
account Of the affair that has yet been hlrnlSheu i"o
Admiral said
"Au talk Of any strained relations between Amer-
cans and British in Yokohama growing ont OF the SHOOT
ING IS rubbish. Robinson had been warned by ieuer
and verbally not TO continue his attentions TO MIS-
Uetherington lie was told very plainly what would
be tho consequence II ne persisted, Ietherngton was
a man who would endure no trifng Robinson
promised ctherngton by letter and his friends by WORD
OF mouth that he would desist, and he broke boui
promises The shooting simply the natural conse-
quencc OF his failure to abide by his agreement as a
man Of honor
Admiral Belknap stated that Robinson, few hours
before his death, dictated letter To him, when he
had forwarded to the Secretary Of the Navy at Wash
Ington This letter was taken down by DR.. Elbridge
who was attending Robinson. In II Robinson SAID
freely forgive Mr. lIcthcrington for what he has
may mitigate any punishment for MS act
In this letter no reference made by Robinson
to his own guilt or that Of Mrs. lIethcrington. Tho
Admiral continued Some idea OF the feeling In
Yokohama among RobnsOn's friends may be gained
from the fact that no one could be found TO swear
10 n complaint against lIethcrngton. The latter first
sought refuge on my vessel but advised him 10 sur
render 10 the American Consul. The Consul wouldn't
hold him wtlou, a formal complaint and va finally
persuaded the United states Marshal Of the Consulate
10 make this complaint The verdict OF 'wilfnl murder
found Ly the coroncrs jury means nothing
IL Is understood that the trial will be postponed
until documents can lie procured from the tnit"i
States with "a history Of similar trials 0r precedentS
notably the -ckcs- Key The jury VIII consist
NJ four selected by lot from thirty four american
residents Of Yokohama. Consul General IllOlH"n
will preside and net a Judge. The supreme Court
Of California has final jurisdiction IN case VI an appeal
~ the inquest Vi. porN testified that he Wa u
tlcrr. On SATURDAY afternoon he went driving win
Robinson. Tho Witness attention was called To II
man who stepped up 10 side cart with revllv'r
I'm his hand. Tho man, whom he subsequently ascer-
tanned wa, Lieutenant IIetlcrlngtOn, cried out stop.
,ou hlackg1nrd7 Robinson made 10 reply. llethcr-
lngion at the same time fired the first shot. lirhcN
ngt1n had his hand on The cart; Whciher kobius2h
Intended II or not stoppe, though not entirely
a second shot fired while lors was rising rom
tho seat jump ont. Robinson cried out ION. my
God - and bent to the left side. The witness
Jumped 20 the ground. saying: Cover, drive for
your nfc; III stop him. The witness struck the
ground and received Commissions. When In rose
that he threw himself upon Iletheiington and they
both fell The latter rose, POrs cingng to him. en-
dcavorlng 10 seize the revolver. and imporng Hon
crugtOn 10 dcsist This continued for some seconds,
IIcAcrlngfon expressing the intention ~ continuing
Hiring. Finally he dropped hi arm. saving; have
done it P9rs then I;'n sicf hoo'7J ph anu haa
iold him that afternoon he In trOuhlf, but he
was pledged not 10 divulge what he had heard.