The San Francisco call., 1896-04-21
DESCOBAR MAY
co UNFINISHED,
International Complication
Over a Drunken
Sailor.
CUT THE CHIEF MATE.
May the United States Punish an
Offense Committed Under the
Hawaiian Flag?
SHIP OWNED IN THIS CITY.
Consul Wilder and District Attorney
Foote in a Quandary as to the
Zelandia's Offender.
SHIP OWNED IN THIS CITY

A peculiar state of affairs exists in re-
gard to prisoner now in irons on the
Pacific Mail Company's steamer Zealan-
dia. He made q murderous assault on the
chief officer, but as the offense was COM
mitted under the Hawaiian flag and prac-
tically on Hawaiian soil the authorities
do not know what to do with the prisoner.
Consul-General Wilder has been ap-
pealed to, hut if he sends the man to Hon.
olulu he will also have to send the injured
mate and all the witnesses. If he does
not do this the criminal Will be turned
loose in San Francisco to cut and slash
some one else.
If he is sent to Honolulu he will prob
ably get term on "the rec" that will do
him good.
AS the matter stands at present United
States Marshal Baldwin is powerless to
act. Were it an American vessel he could
arrest the sailor, but he must respect the
Hawaiian flag. United States District At
torney Foote has been in consultation
with Consult General Wilder, but they can
see no way out of the difficulty. The
offense was committed under the Hawaiian
flag, and Consul General Wilder must
handle it.
The Zealandia had an eventful trip up
the coast. When she sailed from Panama
Ezeta was enjoying himself at the best
hotel in the city and was still talking
about the arms and ammunition he ex-
pected and the descent he was going to
make on San Salvador.
At San Juan del Sur and Corinto the
vessel could not land as the ports were in
the hands of the rebels.
When half way to San Francisco Chief
Officer Tilton had an experience that he is
not likely soon to forget. A sailor named
Sabine Descobar was under the influence
of liquor and ventured aft. Mate Tilton,
according to his own story, took him by
the hand and led him forward again,
telling him to go below.
The sailor apparently did so, but as soon
as the officers back was turned he drew
his knife and made a lunge at him. Til
tor turned, and although unarmed showed
fight. He got the worst of it, however,
as the sailor almost cut his nose off and
slashed him in both cheeks. DR.. D. Z.
McCord had to put forty-four stitches in
the wounds, and it is owing to his care
that Mr.. Tilton will not be minus the
end of his nose and badly SCARED for life.
"Descobar is a Mexican said Chief
Officer Tilton yesterday, land when l
shipped him he seemed fair sailor. He
worked well on the way to Panama, but
on the return trip he got drinking mescal,
and on the night the cutting took place he
was drunk. He was reeling aft toward
where the cabin passengers were when |
took hold of him and led him forward. l
was gentle with him, but it did no good
had not got twenty PAGES away from the
man before l heard him running after
me, He had a machete IN his hand
and when we came to close quarters he
slashed. / broke the blow, but he spoiled
my nose. His next cut laid open nv left
cheek, and then knocked him down. On
getting up his knife grazed my right cheek
and then the crew overpowered him.
Thanks to DR.. McCord, | am able to be
about, but am afraid 1 will be disigured
for life. We still have Descobar on board
and are awaiting the action of the Hawaiian
Consul in the matter"
Descobar in irons does not DENY the cut
ting. but says he was driven to it by Chief
Officer Tilton. "I was not drunk" said
he. 81 was attending to my ordinary
duties when Mr.. Tilton took me by the
back of the neck and kicked me into the
forecastle. | only acted in seif-defense,
and the mate dare not say anything to the
contrary"
In the meantime the captain of the
Zealandla and the Hawaiian Consul-Gen-
eral are wondering what they will do with
the man who is in irons aboard the ship
on charge of assault to murder.