The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-23
MINISTERHUNTER AEARDPRoM
SAYS MS son SHOT FITZGERALD
IN SELF-DEFENCE.
He Maintains That Conspiracy Had Been
Formed TO KIN YOUNG Hunter-Co ns,,i.
General McNaliy Says Hunter shot
Fitzgerald in the Back while Bailey
Was Engaging Him In Con, ersatiOn.

WASHINGTON, Nov 22.-There we're de-
veiopments to-day in the ira gedy Of yester-
day at Guatemala City. in which William
A. Fitzgerald of Grand Rapids, Mich, was
shot and killed by W. Godfrey Hunter, Jr 81.
the son of the United States Minister TO
Guatemala. that indicate that the affair
was u of very sensational character. Late
this afternoon the State Department re-
ceived n telegram from Minister Hunter,
in which he gives version Of the shooting
that differs radically from that furnished
by James G. McNally. the United States
ConsnlGenera at Guatemala City.
In his despatch to tho State Department,
which WAS not received until twenty-four
hours after that from Consul General
McNally. Minister Hunter says that his
son and Secretary Bailey were seated at a
table in a public park. when Fitzgerald
approached and struck young Hunter and
then snapped pistol at him that young
Hunter thereupon fred in self defence.
killing Fitzgerald. The Minister maintains
that conspiracy had been formed TO III
his son.
While the officers Of the State Depart ment
are exceedingly reticcnt with regard TO
the tragic affair, ii is understood to be
their opinion that Minister Hunter did
not treat the Department frankly through
a failure To give certain other details which
this Government would like TO know He
does not say IN his despatch what became
of young Hunter and Bailey after tho shoot
ing, or that he has given them refuge In
the American Legation The Consul
Generals report is more explicit on these
points.
More detail; of tho oortents Of Mr. Nc
Nally's deretch to the u partment leake,i
out to-day. According 10 MIN. young
Hunter and Secretary Bailey met titz-
gerald, and Eailey engaged him in cor
gerald had recently purchased. Fita-
gerald. the oEsul-, General say,,, rad pro-
duced the revolver and was holding il in
his hand, when Hunter shot him IN the
bach fitzgerald then snapped his pistol
AZ Hunter. who fired three more shots into
Fitzgerald Hurter ard Bailey were ar
rested. but Minister Hunter demanded
their release on the ground that they were
exempt fitm prosecution aG persons In the
diplomatic service Of the United States
The Guatcrlalan authorities surrendered
young Hunter and Bailey TO the Miui,ter,
who gave them refuge III his Legation.
STATE Department officers Win give no
opinion AZ To which of the two versions of
the tragedy il correct. Consul Gen. raj
McNally and Mir lister Hunter have been on
exceedingly bad terms. and II is apparent
that the ID partment il uncertain a. to
whether tho Consul-General's prejuoices
may have biased him in his report of the
affair,
Minister Hunter did not in his despatch
ask for any instructions or say that he
had secured the r,leasc of his son aud the
Secretary Of the Legal ion through the plea
of diplomatic Immunity If he had done
80, III, ID Tartment would have given CON
-iderati,n 10 the quest ion of what action
should he taken. 1t has been decided how
ever. to adhere TO the policy adopted yes
terday of not taking any cognizance Of the
case until it is officially brought to the at
tention Of the State Department by the
(iuatemalan Government, or Minister
Hunter asks for advice in regard to his
course in securing the release Of the two
men and giving them asylum in the Ameri-
can l. CATION.
A telegram was received at the State
Department to-day from William Alden
Smith. the Representative in Congr, ~
from the Grand Rapids district, asking for
detni's Of the tragedy and requesting tina;
tho d rartment arrange for shipping the
rem, iis Of Fitzgerald to his father in Grand
Rapids