New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-26
A SPY, BUT Not PUNISHABLE.
OFFENCE OF JIMINEz WAS COMMITTED
BEFORE WAR BROKE OUT
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuSE.l

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
Key West. Fla. May 25-The arrest Of Remigo
Zapatero Jmnez, one OF the prisoners Of war
on board Of the prize steamer Panama a
Spanish spy. ii now appears will not prove OF
much significance
There can be no doubt that Jiminez is a spy in
the full meaning of the term, but the offence
with which he is charged was committed while
the United States and Spain were at peace. and
for this reason he cannot he punished in the
manner prescribed by international law for
those who seek information concerning the de-
fences and harbors OF a belllgerent
Jiminez is a short. dark complexioned man.
With n scanty beard. and is of a nervous dspo-
sition. According to his passport. which was
issued by the Spanish Deputy Consul General
In New-York. on April 20, the day the Panama
left New York. he is forty years old, and is by
profession an engineer. His place Of residence
in the United States is given No. q Fourth
ave. New-Yo-k
Late yesterday afternoon United states Mar
shal Horr received telegram from Washington
relative 10 Jimnez and. with United states
Commissioner Otto he went out to the Panama.
which lies in The harbor with the other prizes.
to make an investigation Of the fellows baggage.
Jimlnez and his baggage. consisting Of grip
and one trunk, brought TO the city. where
the prisoner was out through rigid examna-
ton Meanwhile his baggage was thoroughly
searched and in his trunk were found his COM
mission as a lieutenant in the Spanish navy.
an old naval ,fficer's sword and n new pair OF
rich epaulettes
There was also a hill for fifty nine charts OF
every harbor and inlet on the Atlantic and Gulf
COASTS from Maine to Texas. including Long
Island Sound and New-York Bay. These charts
were purchased from Morrill, & Son. OF New
York. on April -. and the hill was made out to
NJ Rapatcro. The goods were valued IN the
statement Al 500.
There was also a bill for the same goods made
out to the Spanish Marine Commission, Of New
York This document was typewriter. and the
price was fixed at $50 showing that shrewd-
ness as we'll patriotism had "A place In the
mans composition No trace Of these charts
could be discovered in the prisoners baggage
on a key-rng which Jiminez carried there
WAC a tag, bearing this inscription: 'R. j Jiinl-
nez ~ Eroad-st.. New-York.' Jiminez. eX-
planned to Marshal Horr that in ~" he was
an engineer In the Spanish Navy. and said that
in 1890 he was ordered 10 duty al CaflZ Inc
post was not TO his liking, 80 instead OF report
ing AZ Cadiz he sailed for New-York where ne
had since maintained residence. except Tor
four years which he spent in Venezuela HIS
wife and children he said. went to Havana in
December last. and he vas on his way TO JOIN
them when the Panama was captured
When asked in regard 10 the charts Whlch ne
had purchased he said that they had been
bought for one Rapatero. resident OF Nenezu-
a,
Is This j. obviously an untruth. "a they we're
not obtained until the following day. En-
ployes q the Marshals afice are making
thorough Starch II the Panama for the missing
charts and the vessel will not he permitted 10
leave port until they FOUND.
Meanwhile. Jimincz has been placed aboard one
81 the othc~ prize ships. where he VIII he kept
until the charts are discovered IT the Panama
is sold under condemnation proceedings II Is
the opinion OF the Government officials mat
Jlmnez Is a regularly employed agent OF the
= Inf a
HIS assertion that he has lived in America Tor
nearly eigh- wears IS subsfantiatct by many let
,ers from his wife some 81 them date back
several years and all are addressed 20 him ~
the same name which appears on his passport
Il IS generally believed that this name IS an as
surned one The United states officials admit
that II would b.. impossible 20 punish Jiminez as
a Spy because his offence. while a most palpahc
one was committed before var vas declared.
They decline 10 tell how the Information con
corning him was obtained.
4 report WAS current here to-day that Jlmlnez
is none other than the Lieutenant Sohral FOR
merly naval attachh To- the Spanish Legation IN
Washington. who Obtained notoriety boy his de-
Togatory illusions % the United states Navy.
Jiminez however. is shorter than SohTal. and
his features not M all Ike those u me lat
ter. Besides he speaks English less rucniy
than Sobral The letters written 20 him by his
wife and addressed 20 him 10 New-York ante
date sohrars arrival In this country by several
years.