The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1903-10-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
washington. october %. 1908.

L
department to obtain from Mexico the
extradition of the alleged boodler,
Charles Kratz. who is wanted for
trial in St. Louis, involves an inter
esting point in international law, and
may establish an important precedent
in extradition proceedings. About
a year ago we signed an extradition
treaty with Mexico, which included
for the first time the crime of bribery.
When, however, we requested Kratz's
arrest, the Mexican government was
obliged to inform us that under it's
constitution the fact that the alleged
crime was committed prior to the
signing of the treaty, would make
the prosecution retroactive and expost
faeto and consequently in violation
of Mexican law. Although such
law does not hold in the United
States with reference to extradition
nized that it was binding upon Mex
leo, and finally resorted to the very
unusual proceeding of asking the Mex
ican government to surrender the man
as an act of comfy. Mexico has
law which allows fugitives to be sur
rendered upon such a call, even
though the crime charged may not be
extraditable under the treaty; the
only condition being that the govern
ment making the request shall grant
any similar one made by Mexico.
The state department is willing to en-
ter into such an agreement, and Kratz
Louis. He is now held in Mexico un-
der provisional detention;' that is,
he remains in prison awaiting orders
from the Mexican government. 1t is
believed that this method of obtain
ing Kratz was adopted at the sugges-
tion of Circuit Attorney Folk, who is
so determined that none of the St.
Louis boodlers shall escape
Opinion has been rendered by At
tOrney General Knox in the Littauer
glove case. He informed the secre-
tary of war that as the contract in
which Congressman Littauer is said
to have an interest, in violation of
the federal law which forbids a MEM
Der of congress being interested in any
contract with the government, was
properly executed, and the goods de-
livered, the government cannot bring
action to recover the money; and
furthermore, as the statutory period
of limitation has elapsed, no criminal
is possible. In conclu-
sion, Mr.. Knox said that no useful
purpose would be subserved by any
further action in the case by the de-
partment of justice.
. The presentation, by our minister
to Santo Domingo, of an autograph
letter from President Roosevelt to
General Wos Gil, congratulating him
upon his election as constitutional
president of the republic, was made
the occasion of conveying to this
small country a veiled warning, to-
gether with the we'll wishes and as
surances of protecting on the part of
pointed out that the Washington gov
did not seek to destroy the
of Santo Domingo, and was
even ready to guarantee it's territorial
integrity, but at the same time it
would not interfere to protect the re-
public against it's lawful creditors.
President Gil accepted the advice in
the spirit in which it was given, and
assured Mr.. Powell that Santo Do
mingO would act in accord with it's
powerful neighbor and intended to
settle all differences amicably.
President Roosevelt has taken per-
sonal interest in the welfare of the
Porto Rican coffee growers, and as
sures them not only that he uses their |
coffee on his own table, but that he
will do what he can to bring about |
reciprocity treaties with European
to have Porto Rican coffee /
there free of duty. At pres
ent France imposes duty of 18 per
cent, and other countries tax it so |
high that it is practically excluded.
Resolutions from the coffee growers
asking the presidents aid were pre-
sented by Charles Hartzell, secretary
If the territory, and DR.. Samuel M.
Lindsay, Porto Rican commissioner of
sducation. While waiting for the rec
procity treaties the president has
given the st. Louis worlds fair COM
mission of Porto Rico letter saying
hat he has tried Porto Rico coffee
Ind use no other. Perhaps this valu-
.ble advertisement" will make the
5reaties unnecessary, as this country
ought to be able to use all the coffee
he Porto Ricans can grow
Although public men here never had
he slightest apprehension that we
hould lose our case before the Alaskan
commission, they hardly be-
ieved that we should win it. The
was composed of three
two Canadians and one
and unless either side
convinced at least one memebr of the
,ther, there would be no decision, and
he question would remain to irritate
he relations of this country with
Great Britain. Lord Alverstone, the
British commissioner, became con-
'inced of the validity of the greater
'art of our claim, and thus decision
vas rendered which gave the United
states nearly all the territory in dis
'ute. The refusal of the Canadian
to sign the award will
lave not the slightest effect upon the
lecision, which is final. The bound
Try line decided upon runs east of all
he bays, inlets or other means of ac-
less to the sea, from the Portland canal
lorthward to Mount st. Elias. The
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