New-York tribune., 1896-05-24
RED TAPE ~ THE WEST INDIES.
DIFFICULTIES ATTENDING THE IMPORTATION OF
ARMS FOR HUNTING EXPEDITION.

DIFFICULTIES ATTENDING TIE IMPORTATION OF
ARMS FOR HUNTING EXPEDITION.
MANY curious customs arc part ard parcel Of the
governmental system Of the various Islands conpos
ing the Dutch West Indies but nothing stranger
has ever happened to me than an experience hav.
tust come safely ont o."
The speaker prominent business man VINO
has just returned from these Islands. where he has
been trying TO build up reciprocal relations for the
benefit OF exporting firm in Ncw-forK Olty.
Continuing his narration he said:
II hal been in Caracas for some months. and
finally had gonr over TO Curacao. and was gong
back and forth between that point ana Arupa. !
expected TO have TO 20 over 10 Honduras on puSl-
which would take me up into the mahogany
country the Patuca River. was aware OF the
conditions. and were 10 lighter some goods
up the river and would be gone weeks; II not
months sent word 10 my partners here In New
York 10 send rines. fowi!nG-p'ece and re-
vOlver They forwarded me two Marlin r'ne'. one N
and ~ caiibre. Remington towing piece ana
~ callbre Smith Wesson revolver. together with
100 rounds q ammunition. instructed them to
send the weapons to a; Curacao for export 10
Honduras They went 10 the Dutch Consul here in
New-York and filed AFFIDAVIT 70 the effect that
the guns for my personal uee. and stated eN-
plicltly that they FOR export 20 Honduras. ard
that afidIvit alone saved me from a deal OF DIM
Guilty and the loss Of the arms in addition BY con-
fscation.
There is a law in the Dutch Vest Indies against
importing firearms for any purpose whatsoever.
Well sir the Instant the box containing tho rin"s.
shotgun and revolver uuloadc1 at the pier the
whole outAt was seized by the Government and
conveyed 20 the arsenal. and was hauled up 10
explain with the AFFIDAVIT 20 back me up ! peu-
TONED the Government Was about q 50 10
Aruba. have the things sent on there for export
20 Honduras on the schooner IN which ] was TO
SAL. The order was given TO the Governor o. Aruba
When ] got there. however my. plans for going 70
the isthmus were upsc1 "hs c 10 ~ ibn
Governor and asked him for a change IN me permit
that would allow me TO take the arms back 70 New,
York with me D.l get it, Not much. lie had
been ordered 70 send the arms on to Honduras,
and 10 Honduras they mus, co. unless obtained a
quarters at Curacao / would have been temple !
TO srnugglc the troublesome articles out. but could
senal a, Aruba Well | wrote to Curacao and or
dcrs were given TO have them returned 10 Curacao
The box and myself won't back on the same boat
but never "a glimpse did ] get Of II 49,,
arrived at Curacao, went once more 70 the
mo echooncr which was 10 take me 10 Honduras had
tcen changed and she mad been ordered TO New
me- 10 iake Inc arms on board the schooner. The
nnicisls sni Ell at what they looked upon as sha.-
,ow subterfuge and simply told me 10 arrange my
passage. let them know ana they wour ~ 9io 40 ine
rect | finally took passage on the Prince fredeflck
a., a. s,u / was standing on the deck wondering what
would be the next move. when suddenly file 9
o,iv offrnr cane mp on deck at the head OF the
NE and called my name J r"Spohd.d anu r'iu I"
.,e don't he rep ted IN h.s best form. They VIII
Be given to the puTser FOR delivery to You on a, rns
r!!Soa, - thcv dii They turned the box over TO him
ui,h rigid orders and never saw II again III we
arrived here had never sen % 'ne saEn stornoon n
Ins, now am puzzled how am going TO get ,le
stun TO Honduras II eyer dGcide 70 w go 1nHa tmTaI
ANYWAY ! can't hope to beat the Dutch west ihd'ah
EoVernneui."