New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-29

polit,cal purposes Is an extraditable offence,
unless done in open rebellion. Surratt who
was suspected OF numbering President Lincoln
was arrested and brought back to this country
after he had enlisted IN the Pope's Guard. Most
countries with free institutions object 70 turning
over political prisoners. but sometimes such
offenders are also charged with other and ex-
traditabe crimes In such cases the United
States refuses to surrender even for the ex-
traditabe offence unless there is on understand
ing that the fugitive is TO be tried only for the
latter. and not for the political crime
THE STRANGE CASE OF ROWE.
Among the records OF extrad proceedings
filed In the Solicitors Office some strange aid
interesting cases. A novel case involving
provision in the Mexican treaty arose in 1896
Chester w Rowe. a defaulting county treasurer
OF Poweshiek County. Iowa fed 10 Mexico Be-
fore he was discovered by the Iowa authorities
he acquired Mexican citizenship by purchasing
real estate In that country with re funds he
had embezzled IN Iowa Under the Mexican
Constitution this naturalized him. and when
request made for him II was denied. on the
ground that he was citizen and not extradita-
BE under the treaty with this country. Inc
United States contended that citizenship as
sumed for the purpose OF evadng extradltion
should not be allowed 10 have that effect Still
Mexico refused TO surrender him. but he was
prosecuted under the laws OF that country TOT
bringing stolen funds over the border. He was
sentenced 10 two years imprisonment fined
80 900 and politically DISTINGUISHED
According 10 the provisions Of the present
treaty with Mexico 1t would be possible for
single woman TO commit crime IN that coun-
try. cross the American border and become
citizen OF the United States by marrying cti-
hi Tl,uc ba, mo
extradtabIe. perhaps. hut on account OF her
American citizenship the President could not
surrender her 10 Mexico.
The case OF James Temple. now pending be-
tween this country and Mexico. inv Olives ques-
ton OF special interest 10 residents al along
the frontier He is an American citizen who
was employed by railway on the American
side Of the town of Nogaes, Ariz. This
town is partly American and partly On Next
can soil One day Temple killed a Mexican on
the American side, and when he crossed over
the line 10 a Mexican clearinghouse where ne
took his meals he was arrested by the Mexican
authorities. The American Consul protested
against his detention. and the State Department
demanded his immediate release The Mexlcans
have a law making the perpetrator Of crime
against ar American amenable TO trial IN
Mexico regardless OF the perpetrators citizen
ship or the country In which he commits the
crime Under this law they refused to surrender
Temple to the Arizona authorities. The Ameri-
can authorities promised 10 try fm and after
considerable diplomatic correspondence on Inc
mart OF the State Department the Mexicans
agreed 10 suspend proceedings against the pris-
oner. and TO consider a formal extradition requi-
sition This WIS made. and the outcome OF the
case. which is sill pending. Is awaited with In
| terest in Arizona.
In the latter part Of 1897 the Mexican Gov
eminent apolied TO the United States for the
extradition Of Jesus Guerra, who vas concerned
in n rnarauding expedition near the border the
nurpose Of which was TO start an insurrectlon
against President Diaz. The effort did not sue
coed. end Jesus fed TO Texas. Demand was
made for his surrender but the United states
refused on the ground that the alleged o1ences
vera political Consequently, the Mexican Gov
eminent gave notice that the present treaty
would terminate January "a. 1913
oBRrENs CHECKERED CAREER.
The notorious "bunco steerer." OBrien. has
had the most bizarre experience OF any criminal
! the State Department has dealt with He was
| arrested tried and convicted for plying his Voca-
ton in Albany ~ Y. While serving his SEN
tence he escaped from prison and was found In
London The United States Legation there was
directed by cable 70 procure his provisional ar
rest and detention. While the detectives OF
Scotland Yard were looking for him he over
heard a detective and en- employe Of the Lega-
ton discussing his case He was dining IN
London restaurant and they were talking about
him at an adjoining table. lie eiuded capture
and took passage for France. but his escape
was discovered and the United States Minister
at Paris was directed to ask for his arrest at
! Calais When ne landed there the American
! Consul and French police officer were on hand
and captured him. In some manner ne sue
ceeded in escaping from the French police The
/ next time the State Department heard OF him
! he was supposed 70 be in the Argentine Repub-
lie with which country there was no extraditlon
treaty Consequently no effort was made 70
bring him back AS a matter OF fact, though,
he was not in South America. short time
after he was reported TO be there he committed
a murder in France. was captured. and SEN
fenced to life imprisonment II Is said he is now
serving this sentence in French penal colony
Generally the valuabes found on a criminal
are forfeited upon his arrest In 1881 a pecul-
lar case involving this point arose, but moth
ing relative 10 It has come up In the extraditions
Of late years Solaris Polari stole the jewels of
the Princess Of Orange and took refuge In the
! United States The Netherlands Government
asked for his extradition and the return OF the
Jewels In the absence Of a treaty between the
! two countries at that time this Government re-
fused 10 grant the extradition, and the Jewels
were seized by the customs authorities al New
| York where the fugitive landed. for non-pay-
ment OF duties. Attorney-General fancy rem
dered an opinion on the ownership Of the jewels,
| and held that the courts alone had the power
to decide this question. Later, however, upon
further information, 1t appeared that Poari did
not pretend that they belonged 10 him There
was then no claimant but the Princess Of Or
ange Another opinion was rendered by the At
| torney- General. in which ne held that the jew
! els were on the same footing as property cast
| unnr, our shnres by wind or And the