Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-22
TANNER RELEASED
By the Spanish at Porto Rico
On EngIand's Demand.
He Had Been UnjustIy imprisoned and
EugIand's Message Was Severe.
Spain Must Now Settle With Tanner Vessel
Owners and England.

Halifax, n. s., July 20.-John e. Tan
ner of Lunenburg, N. S.. mate of the
schooner Ida of Halifax, who was un-
| lawfully Imprisoned for two months by
the Spanish authorities at Porto Rico,
has arrived in Halifax from Porto Rico
in the steamer Tyrian. Through the
British government he has preferred a
claim OF $4,000 damages against the
government of Spain.
Another claim, the amount of which
is understood to be $4,000. has been pre-
ferred by G.. NJ. Mitchell & Sons. own
ers of the schooner Ida for damages
for II days detention of the Ida at
Porto Rico. and for the enforced risk
incurred on the homeward trip in the
privation of Mr.. Tanner, certificate
officer who was detained in prison, the
vessel being thereby left with one navi-
eating officer only on board, it being
impossible to obtain a substitute at
Fajardo the port where the difficulty
with the Spanish occurred.
Mr.. Tanner was released from prison.
July 4. at the demand OF the British
consul general, who went to Fajardo
fro st. Johns. =. r., where he is To-
'etttt, iPi tiit IN press pun IOSt' VI tpit-
veying the order of Her Majestys gov
eminent for the prompt release Of Tan
ner from jail
The matter came about through the
agency of G. p. Mitchell & Sons, who,
upon learning of Mate Tanners impris-
onment at Fajardo, communicated a
statement of the case to ottawa, from
whence it was transmitted to London
The foreign office put itself in commu-
nication with the British consul gem
eral at st. Johns. Porto Rico at once,
and after brief inquiry to satisfy the
minister of the injustice done British
subject, instructions were given the
consul to proceed to Fajardo at once
and demand Tanners immediate re-
lease
IF the captain of the port refuses to
discharge Tanner. lose no time in re-
porting back and we will use such
means as he will quickly respect"
These were the concluding words of
the consuls instructions from London.
fortunately the captain of the port
had sense enough to obey the order for
Tanners release.
The prisoner was afterward taken
charge of by the consul and furnished
with passage 10 Halifax at the ex-
pense of the board of trade. The
Spanish government must now settle
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
the attention of his captors to the
meteor flag" overhead, but they ex-
pressed no care for it. Despite the re-
monstrances of all on board, the mate
was conveyed ashore and imprisoned
The schooner Ida remained in port foI,
Ii days, while the captain was en-
deavoring to effect the mates release
The captain Of the port refused all
oNertures and also refused to give the |
prisoner trial. Captain Frazer was |
finally forced to sail without a mate.
Mate Tanner was arrested Nav T. |
and remained a prisoner until July 4. |
without having been accorded a trial. |
The charge against him was causing |
serious injury to a lighterman working |
on the Ida, putting goods aboard. An |
investigation was held at the office of |
the captain of the port and it was |
shown that the lighterman had been |
tlpsy and staggered into the hold of the |
vessel The mate was acquitted.
Next day. however, the captain of |
the port, evidently seeming a chance |
of blackmail. sent men on board the |
Ida and arrested Tanner as above de- |
Scrlhed. The prisoner was treated fair
~ wen as to the food and privileges, |
but was repeatedly refused a trial.