The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-10-19
BRITISH DIPLOMAT FINED
Third Secretary Gurney's Plea OF
Immunity Was Disregarded.
LOCAL JUSTICE APOLOGIES

For Speeding Els Autom obiie through
the Streets of Lee, Mass, Member OF
the British Embassy Was Arrested
and Fined by Justice Phelps-His Re-
call is Possible.
Lenox. Mass.-Hugh Quincy, Third
Secretary to Sir Mortimer Durand, the
British Ambassador, who has BEEN
spending the summer here, was fined
for contempt of court and for violating1
the speed law relating to automobiles,
by Special Justice II. G. Phelps, in the
Lee District Court. Mr.. Quincy wasY
charged with running an AUTOMOBILES
through the streets Of Stockbridge at al
greater speed than ten miles an hour.
Mr.. Quincy, when arraigned in court,
positively refused to plead, hoidingE
that as he was the Third Secretary tOI
his Britannia Majesty's Ambassador heI
could not be arrested or held for the Of
Tense charged. Speefai Justice Phelps
said he did not recognize international
law" in his court, and informed the del
PENDANT that he must enter q plea.
Despite this statement Mr.. Gurneyf
continued in his refusal. Then a fine
Of S25 was imposed for contempt on
court. and another fine Of S20 for vloi
lation of 4 town ordinance.
Mr.. Quincy did not have in his posi-
session sufficient money to pay the fine.
and was paroled in the charge OF. the
officer, Deputy Sheriff Noble, Of Stock
bridge, who had made the arrest. The,
officer accompanied Mr.. Quincy To
Lenox, where the money was secured.
Mr.. Quincy Immediately notified the
State Department, i'll Washington, Oh
the act of the Massachusetts, courts
and the President was notified.
Justice Phelps said that he found
nothing in the Massachusetts commoI.
law which exempted any n from
breaking the laws of the State, and hd
acted accordingly.
Boston, Mass.-Governor Bates held
a conference with Assistant United
States District Attorney Nash and Jus
tice Phelps, as q result OF which an
apology made by Justice Phelps haf
been forwarded to Washington, D. C4
and the fine paid by the Third ASSIST
ant Secretary of the British Embassy
has been returned to him.
At the same time it IS understood
that the Governor Of Massachusetts
while acknowledging the violation q
the statute to safeguard international
courtesy, is determined to maintain TIM
dignity Of the Commonwealth, and I
this end, accompanying the apoiog1
from Justice Phelps was n suggestion
from the Governor to the United State
authorities that the British Govern
ment be requested to recall Mr. Gurne3
on the ground that in speeding his an
tomubile faster than local laws perIi
he failed to comport himself with IN
dignity betting his Office.
Washington, d. C.-Secretary Mood
was advised by a dispatch from tn
United States District Attorney at, Rod
ton, Mass, that ak the papers In IN
case of Third Secretary Quincy ha@
been forwarded by mail.
1t is not known whether the AIassa
chusetts authorities have asked the re
call of the Secretary, but in case Gov
ernor Bates has made any such reques
il will get no further than the Stat
Department, which will act on It's prg
rosatire in deciding whether there ha
been a breach of international courtes
or not.