The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-24
DRrTsS, OUT Br sMUeGIERA
Customs Collector OF 81. Pierre Accused Of
Being Canadian SPY.

QUEBEC. Sept 22.-Tho little French crown
colony Of ST Pierre. Miquelon. of the coast OF
Newfoundland, has q Dreyfus case Of It's own. Ad.
vices received from that place give details Of tho
riotous proceedings thore, some days ago, brief
ly reported at tho time by telegraph. in which
an attempt was made 70 lynch the resident Col
lector Of Customs, who was accused Of being q
spy in the employ Of the Canadian Government
For many years past ST. Pierre has been the
tire Of extensive smuggling operations into Canada.
Rum from the West Indies, corn whiskey from
tho Western States. and French wines and bran
dies are exported illicity 70 points In tho lower
81 Lawrence and In the. Maritime Provinces
Of Canada In enormous quantities. Tho largo
vessels which leave the islands with these car
goes arc met in the gulf by smaller smuggling
craft 70 which they distribute tho contraband
goods These smaller sohooners contrivo "
land their cargoes on Canadian soil despite the
vigilance Of tho Dominion officials and Of the
revenue cutters employed by Thorn. Al long
intervals one Of these smugglers Is captured and
conhscated together with her cargo, but tho profit
OF this illicit commerce 10 90 large owing 70 the
enormous duty upon spirituous liquors, that
those in the trade could well afford 70 haveone
sci out Of three seized and forfeited TO tho Crown
The Government has found itself seriously han
dicapped In this matter by the persistent refusal
authorities to be represented by a resident Consul
at ST. Pierre. No reason Is given for this refusal
except that tho treaty ceding the island TO France
does not provide for what the British ask and mono
can DO imagined except desire TO protect the in
dustry in which the French smuggers arc
engaged. In tho absence Of o resident British
or Canadian agent, who might keep tho Ottawa
authorities posted in reg ard TO oil cargoes leaving
tho Island, the Dominion Government has
been compelled TO look to others foi the informa-
tion. That somebody has been keeping them
pretty we'll posted is evident from the successful
manner in which tho usual smuggling in the St
Lawrence has been kept down during the present
season The suspicious Of tho islanders that ].
Ferry. Collector Of Customs In tho employ OF tho
French Government, was tho traitor. wero height.
ened by tho fact that he received 81. 800 In gold
quite recently and deposited II In local bank.
On being requested by tho authorities to account
for the money. he explained that II was remit
tanoe from o member Of his family. Inquiry did
not, In the opinion Of the authorities, bear out
Ferry's statements, and he was finally charged
with being q Spy in the employ Of the Canadian
Government
The recent visit 70 81 Pierre Of the chief Cana
dian customs preventive ofhcer aggravated the
difficulty. and finally on tho day that the news
OF the reconviction Of Dreyfus reached the island
tho anger Of tho people was aroused and q mob
started out to lynch tho accused. Ferry was
compelled 70 fee for his life After he had escaped
by steamship TO Sydney he was twice hanged
in efagy and tho most insulting epithets were
placarded about the place comparing Ferry 70
Dreyfus and containing such inscriptions as a
baslee traitres -conspuez Ferry. 49, Dreyfus Ferry
&c. Ferry has gone 70 Montreal to endeavor 70
have NJ Kleckowsli the Consul. General, afford
him protection in the execution Of tho duties OF