The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-11
SEIZURE OF BUSTAMENTE.
The Refugee Is Now in the
Hands of the Government
of San Salvador.
GENERAL EZETA'S OPINION
United States District Attorney
Foote Says That international
Complications May Result.

President Gutierrez of San Salvador has
at last trapped Captain Florence Busta-
mente, one of the followers of General An
tonic EZeta, whom the United States
courts refused to turn over to the Saliva
dorean authorities some months ago, after
an exhaustive consideration of the refu-
gees case. When the decision WAS an
nounced Gutierrez is reported to have said
that he would capture the frowsy-haired
follower of Ezeta, dead or alive"
And it seems that he has kept his word,
but the end is not yet. The manner of his
capture is likely to result in serious inter
national complications.
Bustamente was taken off the Pacific
Mail steamship City of Sydney at La Lib
ertad on her last trip up from Mexico.
Bustamente came aboard at Corinto and
presented for passage steerage ticket for
La Libertad, which had been given to him
by the Nicaraguan Government. It is gen.
orally supposed that the Nicaragua Off
Gals notified the Salvadoreans that Busta-
mente had taken passage on the City OF
Syuney IN return Tor the friendly act OF
the latter Government in the Corlnto
affair When Corinto was menaced by
ENGLAND it was financial agent of the
Salyadorean Government who came for
ward with guarantee that the indemnity
would be paid.
When Gutierrez failed to land his man
through the United States courts he turned
his attention to another method, and 1t is
known that considerable correspondence
has passed between the Governments rela-
tive to the capture of Bustamente since
they became friendly over the Corinto
matter. At all events, the Salvadorean
officers knew that Bustamente was coming
up on the City of Sydney, and no sooner
had the ship locked than a detail OF
soldiers boarded her with warrants for
the refugees arrest.
CAPTAIN johnson was doubtful about
surrendering one of his passengers, and so
communicated with one of the company
officials. Who this official was cannot be
ascertained, as Captain Johnson politely
but firmly refuses to discuss the seizure in
any of its details. This much is known,
however, that the captain was instructed
to turn Bustamente over to the officers,
which he did, There were many charges
in the warrants on which the refugee was
taken off, ranging from petty larceny to
criminal assault.
Bustamente's fellow passengers on the
ship are of the opinion that he will be dealt
harshly with by the Salvadoreans.
General Ezeta, however, holds contrary
opinion. He yesterday discussed the mat
ter at length.
II do not believe" said he, 'sthat the
President of San Salvador will put Busta-
mente to death. They were formerly great
friends, and while Gutierrez wanted the
man. do not believe that he ever had any
intention of killing him. The steamship
officials did wrong to give him up. He was
under the protection of the American flag,
and to all intents and purposes on Amerl-
can soil. What right has foreign power
to board an American ship and take away
a political offender? The charges on which
he was arrested are false. Every one
knows that his offense was of political
character, and it is also easy to see that he
was taken through the treachery of the
Government of Nicaragua. They put him
on the steamer and then cabled the Saliva
doreans to arrest him at La Libertad. The
whole plot is as plain as day. 1t is my
opinion that the United States will have
something to say in this affair.
"Bustamente was native of Nicaragua.
I first met him in Salvador about twenty
years ago. At that time he was dealing in
coffee. Later he was appointed a police
officer at San Salvador. After this l lost
sight of HIM for number of years, and in
1892 when l next saw him he held posi-
ton in the street department Under my
command in the trouble of 1894 he served
in the capacity of commissary captain.
He was very ignorant man, but a faith
full soldier and true friend. After his
trial here gave him money with which to
go away, and he went to Mexico first, then
to Guatemala and afterward to Mica
ragua."
United States Attorney Henry s. Foote
says that the steamship company could
not be held responsible for delivering
Bustamente, but that if any harm
should befall him at San Saliva
dor his family would have good
cause for action against the United States,
who in turn would undoubtedly demand q
heavy indemnity from San Salvador.
R. P. Schwerin, general manager of the
Pacific Mail; says that his officers did
right in turning over the refugee to the
authorities. AS to the possibilities of in
ternational complications he declares that
this is question between the United
States Government and San Salvador, with
which his company has naught to do or