New-York tribune., 1901-10-13
BRIGANDAGE.
ATTITUDE OF THE AUTHORITIES IN
CASES ANALOGOUS TO THAT OF
MISS STONE, THE KID
MAPPED AMERICAN
MISSIONARY


garian brigands carried off to mountain fast
nesses and held for ransom is one TO which all
foreigners expose themselves who soiOurn or
travel IN countries of the Old World where
through the weakness or connivance of the au-
thorities, brigandage prevails. There have been
numerous cases of the same kind in the last
thirty years or SO. especially in Greece in Tur-
key. in the Balkan States, along the northern
coast OF Africa, and even in Italy ad Spain
In every instance a ransom is demanded and
each time a discussion arises as to the policy
and principle OF paying this ransom. OF course
the first inclination Of the friends, the fellow
cOuntTymen and the government of the cap
tives is to pay the ransom at once the hope of
saving them from death even torture rising
superior to every other consideration. But nat
urally there are many objections to this course
For, in the first place, it constitutes an encour-
agement to the commission of other outrages of
the same character and with the same lucra-
tive results in countries where money is scarce
and lawlessness rife. Then too it is contrary
to the principles of law, since it is nothing but
compromising felony, while the government of
the country in which the capture has taken
place is naturally opposed to the payment of
any ransom to the brigands. knowing full well
that a claim viii eventually be made upon it
by the State TO which the captive belongs for
the money thus handed over to the bandits
The grounds on which the ransom has been
claimed in the past from the authorities of the
country where the crime has been committed is
that they are responsible in the eyes of foreign
nations for the maintenance of law and order
within their borders, and for the concession to
foreigners Of the same protection and safeguard
that their own subjects enjoy abroad.
One OF the most famous instances Of foreigners
being captured by brigands and held for ran
som is that of Lord and Lady Muncaster. Lord
Muncaster who is now elderly man. and a
frequent visitor 10 this country, was staying at
Athens in 1870 when picnic to the Plain of
Marathon organized by some of the mem
bers of the diplomatic corps accredited to the
Greek court. The party consisted of Lord and
Lady Muncaster, Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Lloyd
and their child Fred Vyner, brother of the
Marchioness Of Ripon; Count Albert Bayl. sec
Tetary TO the Austrian Legation; the Hon. Ed
ward Herbert, secretary TO the British mission.
and several other young attaches They were
their way back TO the city, when they were
suddenly pounced upon by party Of brigands
under the command of the we'll known brigand
chief Arvanitad, and were carried off 10 the
hill country lying between Pentelikon and Mount
Parnassus. The brigands after about twenty
four hours let the go. not from any mo-
tives Of chivalry but merely because their pres
ence impeded the rapidity of the movement Of
the band. At the same time the men of the
party We're directed draw lots for one of their
number 10 return TO Athens, and to announce
the terms under which his companions would !
recover their liberty. IT was Lord AIuncaster
who was fortunate enough TO be selected as
emissary, and the demands with which he was
Entrusted by the brigand chief called for ran
som Of 100000 in money, a free pardon for
present and past crimes. and the liberation of
certain bandits then in custody. Lord Muncas-
ter was given to understand, moreover, that if
any attempt Were made 10 pursue the band the
prisoners would be put TO death.
Lord Muncaster on reaching Athens FASTENED
at once TO the English legation and sought the
assistance Of Mr.. Erskine, the British Envoy |
The latter Immediately arranged to pay the ran
som demanded, and at the same time took steps
TO obtain from the Greek Government the prom
3se Of pardon for the bandits. It was here that
Mr.. Erskine and Lord Huncaster encountered
difficulties. For while the Greek constitution
empowers the sovereign 10 grant amnesties for
political offences, he cannot grant any pardon
for criminal offences save with The consent of
the national legislature which was not then in
session Negotiations were IN progress with the
brigands. with the object OF conveying to them
some assurance that a pardon would be granted
in their favor soon as Parliament reasseInbled
when the Greek Cabinet foreseeing not only
trouble In the Chamber about the amnesty, but
likewise that II would be called upon by Great
Britain In Of time to defraY the amount
OF the ransom paid by Mr.. Erskine started large
podles OF troops ana constabulary after the brig
ands. This was done without the knowledge
OF the King, and in defiance of the solemn
pieoses given by the Greek Premier TO the Brit
ish Envoy and TO Lord Muncaster. The brigands
enraged by this breach of faith, carried their
captiVes still further into the mountains. and.
when hard pressed by their pursuers, murdered
every Of them, servants and all in cold
blood. Some of them were shot, others stabbed
in the back. while others had their throats cut.
SO great was the Indignation created by the
behavior Of the Greek Government in brea king
its promises to the British legation. that King
George forced to dismiss the entire Cab
met, and while the Greek treasury escaped the
payment of the ransom, il compelled by
England TO grant heavy damages TO the families
of some Of the victims of the tragedy A year
later, owing to the energy displayed in the mat
ter by King George. not only Arvanitak and
his entire band captured and brought
justice, but likewise several members of the
Greek Parliament and Englishman named
Noel established at Negroponte, who were
Noel indeed having furnished the Information
TO the amount Of ransom which il would be
well to demand for the release of the Muncaster
party. A number Of them We're convicted and
put death. while the others were sentenced to
various terms Of penal servtude.
Until ten years ago the Sublime Porte was in
Variably forced refund to the foreign en-
bassies at Constantinople whatever ransoms
they had been called upon to pay for the release
OF their countrymen and countrywomen capt
ured and held for ransom by Turkish brigands.
Some readers may recall the Sultan grumbling
at having 10 pay the Of $4,000 for Count
and Countess Bray-Steinberg, who had been
subjected 10 a good deal of i'll usage by their
captors. owing TO their struggles AT the Sub
lime Porte il plaintively remarked in this
connection that $4,000 was a very big sum to
pay for damaged Germans" But when a Ma
JOT BothWick, who held appointment in the
Turkish gend.rmerie called upon the British
Embassy 10 ransom his wife and children, who
had been carried of by brigands, the British
on "a lla1 hnl In he fair liz