Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-10-29
CAPITAL NOTES
INTERESTING POINT IN iNTERNA-
ToNAL LAW RAISED BY
KRAFT PROCEED.
iNGS.
President Wosy Gil Of Santa Domingo
May Boast Of Teddy's Autograph.
FROM Our Regular Correspondent.

- %
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON D, G., Oct. 26.-Thc
method employed BY state depart
ment 10 obtain from Mexico the extra
dition Ok the alleged boodIer. Charles
Kratz, who Is wanted for trial In ST.
Louis. Involves al interesting point In
International law and may establish
an important precedent In extradition
proceedings. About a year ago we
signed an extradition treaty withMex-
leo which included for the first time
the crime Of bribery. When, however.
we requested Krata's arrest, the Next
can government was obliged to inform
us that under its constitution the fact
that the alleged crime was committed
prior 10 the signing OF the treaty.
would make the prosecution retroactive
and OK post facto and consequently In
violation Of Mexican law. Although
such u law does not hold In the United
States with reference TO extradition
treaties, the state department recog-
nixed that It was binding upon Mex
leo, and finally resorted 10 the very
unusual way OF asking the Mexican
government ID surrender the mas as an
act OF comfy. Mexico has a law which
allows fugitives to be surrendered up.
on such a call, eve though the crime
charged may not be cxtraditable nm
der treaty; the only condition being
that the government making the re-
quest shall grant any similar n made
by Mexico. The state department ~
willing to enter into such an agree
ment and Kratx viii no doubt soon be
returned to ST. Louis. He Ia now held
In Mexico under provisional deten'
tlon;9 that is, he remains In prison
awaiting orders from the Mexican gov
eminent. II is believed that this meth.
cd OF obtaining Kratz was adopted a
the suggestion of Circuit Attorney
Folk, who is so determined that none
OF the ST. Louis boodlers shall escape
Opinion has been rendered by AZ
torney General Knox in the Littaue'
glove case. He informed the secre
tary OF war that as the contract IL
which Congressman Littaner Is salt
to have an interest, In violation Of tn
federal law which forbids a membc
OF congress being interested In an!
contract with the government. wa
properly executed, and the goods DC
liyered, the government cannot brinl
action TO o the money: and fur
thermore as the statutory period Q
limitation has elapsed. no crimina
prosecution Ii possible. In conclusion
Mr.. Knox said that no useful purpos
would be subserved by any further az
tion in the case by the department
OF justice.
The presentation, by our mlniste
TO santo Domingo. Of an autograp
letter from President Roosevelt |
General wosy Gil, congratulate. wa
made the occasion Of conveying !
this small country q yelled warmth
together with the well wishes and =
surances Of protection on the part I
the United States. Minister Powe
pointed out that Washington COVER
ment did not seek to destroy the q
tonomy OF santo Domingo, and wi
even ready to guarantee lis territori
integrity. but at the same time
would not interfere 10 protect the :
public against It's lawful creditor
Preside1t Gil accepted the advice
the spirit in which II was given n
assured MI. Powell mai 5hnto Y
minso would act in accord With
powerful neighbor and Intended
settle all differences amIcsbly.
President Roosevelt has taken ~
sonal interest In the welfare Of I
Porto Rican coffee growers. and
sures them not only that he uses tn
coffee on his v table. but that
VIII do what be can to bring abo
reciprocity treaties with Europe
countries TO have Porto Rican con
there free OF duty. Al pr