The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-05-22
EXTRACTION WITH CUBA.
The Griggs Bills Providing Therefor.
A Peculiar State of Affairs on the
Island.

The Griggs Bills Providing Therefor.
A Peculiar State of Affairs on the
Island.
Washington, May 1S.-In accordance
with the request of Attorney General
Griggs, the judiciary committee of the
housce of representatives today con-
sidered means of dealing with the
Nicely case and like offenses arising in
Cuba.
The need of action was explained by
the attorney general to Chairman Ray
of the committee, in which he said:
Recent offence of a riminal nature
committed by an employee of the pos
tai service in Cuba, who has fled from
justice there and taken refuge in the
United States make it my duty to call
your attention to the fact that the ap-
plication of the present eXtradition
laws of the United States to such
cases is in a condition of doubt and
uncertainty which makes it embar-
RAISING to the department of justice to
secure the prompt return of such Of
tenders to the jurisdiction in which
he crime is committed and in which
they should be tried.
1T is obvious hat the laws of the
United States ought to provide a sure
n speedy return of fugitives from
justice who flee from Cuba and seek
refuge in the United States. 1 have
drafted an act which will make the
course of procedure in such matters
sure and certain and / respectfully ask
that it be considered by your commit
tee and if found e%Xpedient that it be
introduced and passed as speedily as
possible"
The attorney generals bill is en-
titled IAN Act for Extradition and
Rendition in Certain Cases." 1t pro-
videS:
Section 1. That sections 500, 5271,
5272, 5273 and 5274 of the Revised Stat
utes and all other statutes of the
United States concerning e~Xtradition
to foreign countries, in pursuance of
treaties, shall apply to and govern ex-
tradition to the island of Cuba while
occupied by the United States and
during the continuance of the govern
ment established and maintained in
said island by the United States, in
the same manner n to the same effect
as though Cuba were a country with
which a treaty existed Stipulating and
providing for extradition in the case
of all ~felonies and other crimes, past
or future, against the penal code or
the laws in force in the island of Cuba,
and in the same manner as if the gov
ernor were the head of an independent
government thereof.
Section 2. That every person who
knowingly and wilfully obstructs. re-
sists or opposes any agent, person, or
officer, who has a prisoner in custody
under the provision of the foregoing
section in the execution of his duties,
or who reScues or attempts to rescue
possession whilst in custody as afore-
said, shall be punished by a fine of not
more than 81, 900 and by imprisonment
for not more than one year"
A third section applies sections 527S
and 5279 of the Revised Statutes to the
rendition of fugitives between the
states and territories and the islands
in the possession of the United States
J under the treaty of Paris.
The view was general in the commit
tee that the situation in Cuba was
most extraordinary and complicated,
as Spain had r~elinqnished sovereignty,
the United States had not assumed
sovereignty and Cuba had not organ
lied a sovereign government. 1t wa
| finally determined to secure co-opera-
| ton with the senate, and the execu-
| tive branch of the government, and a
| subcommittee was appointed to con-
| fer with the other branches and report
| next Tuesday.