The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-07-21
A BILL AGAINST SPAIN.
British Government Has Little Account
To Be Settled,

Halifax, N. S., July 2O.-John E..
Tanner of Lunenburg, N. s., mate of the
schooner Ida of Halifax, who was unlaw-
fully imprisoned by the Spanish autheri-
| ties at Porto Rico, has arrived in Halifax
| from Porto. Rico in the steamer Tyran.
Through the British government he has
presented claim of $4,000 damages
against the government Of Spain.
Another claim, the amount of which is
understood to be $4,000, has been preferred
by G. NJ. Mitchell & Sons, owners of the
schooner Ida, for damages for seven days
detention Of the Ida at Porto Rico, and
for the enforced risks incurred on the
homeward trip, the deprivation of Mr..
Tanner, certificate officer, who was de-
tanned in prison, the vessel thereby being
left with one navigating officer only on
board, it being impossible to obtain a
substitute at Faja1do, the port where
the difficulty with the Spanish occurred.
Mr.. Tanner was released from prison
July at the demand of the British con-
sui, who went to Fajardo from ST. ohns,
p. r., where he is located, for the express
purpose of conveying the order of her
majesty's government for the prompt
release of Tanner from Jail.
The matter came through the agency of
u. T. Mitchell q Sons, who upon learn
ing of Mate Tanners imprisonment at
FaJardo, communicated a statement OF
| the case to Ottawa from whence it was
transmitted to London. The foreign
the British consul general at ST. Johns,
Porto Rico, and after brief inquiry to
satisfy the minister. of the injustice done
| a British subject, instructions were given
the consul. to proceed to Fajardo at once
and demand Tanners immediate release.
IF the captain of the port refuses to
discharge Tanner, lose no time in report
| ing back and we will use such means as
he will quickly respect
These were the concluding words of the
consuPs instructions from London.
| Fortunately the captain of the port had
sense enough to obey the order for Tan
ner' S release. The prisoner was taken in
| charge by the consul afterwards and fur
| nished with passage to Halifax at the
| expense of the board of trade.
| The Spanish government must now set
tie with the British government for the
indignity offered one of her subjects.
Tanner was seized on board his own
ship, flying the British flag. He called
attention of his captors to the ''metero
flag" overhead, but they expressed no
care for it,. Despite the remonstrances Of
ashore and impri soned. The schooner
Ida remained in port II days. while the
captain was endeayoring to effect the
mates release. The captain of the port
refused all overtures and also refused to
give the prisoner a trial. Capt. Fraser
was finally forced to sail without mate
Tanner was arrested on May 4 and re-
manned q prisoner until July without
having been accorded trial. The charge
against him was causing a serious in
jury to lighterman working on the
Ida putting goods aboard. An investiga-
ton was held at the Office of the captain
Of the port and 1t was shown that the
lighternan had been tlpsy and staggered
into the hold of the vessel. The mate
was acquitted. Next day, however, the
captain of the port evidently scenting a
chance of blackmail, sent men on board
the Ida and arrested Tanner as above de-
scribed. The prisoner was treated fairly
well as to food and privileges, but was
repeatedly refused q trial. !.