The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-19
NEW ExTR ADDITION MEASURE.
Its object Is 10 Get NeeIy Back to-
Cuba for Trial.

Cuba for Trial.
Washington. May 1s.-In accordance
with the request of Attorney General
Grlggs. the Judiciary Committee of the
House of Representatives to-day consid-
cred means Of dealing with The Nicely case
and like offenses arising in Cuba. The
need of action was explained by the At
torney General In q letter 10 Chnirman
Ray Of the committee, IN which he said:
Recent offenses of criminal nature
committed by an employe Of the postal
service in Cuba, who has fled from JUS
tice there and taken refuge in the United
States, make It my duty to call your at
tention to- the fact that the application Of
the present extradition laws of the United
States TO such cases IL la ss call.iition OF
doubt and uncertainty, which makes ii
embarrassing to the department. of JUS
tice to secure the prompt return OF such
offenders to the jurisdiction In which the
crime is committed, and In which they
should be tried
''It is obvious that the laws OF the
United States ought to provide a sure
and speedy return of fugitives from JUS
tice who flee from Cuba and seek refuge
in the United States. l have drafted an
act which win make the course Of pro-
cedure in such matters sure and certain,
and l respectfully ask that IT be con-
sidered by your committee and II found
expedient that 1t be introduced and pass
ed as speedily as possible"
The Biii Proposed.
The Attorney Generals bill is entitled
"An act for extradition and rendition In
certain cases. and provides:
Section /. That sections $40 5.271,
5,272, 5273 and 5.24 Of the Revised Stat
utes and all other statutes of the United
States concerning extradition to foreign
countries. in pursuance of treaties, shall
apply to and govern extradition 10 The
Island Of Cuba, while occupied by tho
United States, and during the continu-
ance Of the government established and
maintained in said island by the United
States In the same manner and 10 the
same effect as though Cuba were coun-
try with which a treaty existed. stipulat-
ing and providing for extradition In the
case OF all felonies and other crimes, past
and future, against the penal code, and
she laws in force on the Island of Cuba,
and In the same manner as II the Gov
ernor or other chief officer of Cuba were
the head Of an Independent government
thereof.
Sec @ That every person who know
ingly and wilfully obstructs, reslsts or
opposes any agent, person or officer who
has prisoner in custody under the p-o-
viyion of the foregoing section, in the ex-
ecution of his duties or who re or at
tempts TO rescue such person whist N
CUSTODY as AFORESAID SndJ De PuNItFCQ
by fine of not more than 500, and by I'm
p isenment fer not more than one ar"
third see ion arp les 10 sections 5SS
and 5279 Cf Il revised statutes to the ren
dition of fugitives between the stats
and territories and the Islands in the pos
session OF the United States under the
treaty OF Iaiis
The view was general in the commtte3
that the situation was most extraordioar
and complicated. as Spain had relinquishei
sovereignty the United States had not as
sumed sovereignty, and Cuba had not or
ganlzed a sovereign government. II was
family determined to secure cooperate n
with the Senate and executive branch Il
the government, and a sub-committse WIS
appointed to confer with The other
branches and report next Tuesday.
The committee considered at length the
Attorney Generals bill and also one sub
sequently introduced in the House by
Chairman Ray. having but one section.
and providing for the surrender Ct Offend
ing officials of Cuba when fleaing into the
United States