Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-21
KIDNAPPED AMERICAN
SKETCH OF MR. I. n. PERDfcARIs,
STOLEN IN MOROCCO.
Born Abroad Under Stars and Stripes,
= His Father Being United States
Consul at Athens.

Some OF the press accounts of the capture
of Mr.. Perdicaris by Moorish tribesmen In
the neighborhood of Tangiers describe him
as an American naturalized citizen of Greek
origin. The facts in the case are as fol-
lows: Mr.. Gregory A. Perdicaris, father OF
Mr.. Ion Hanford Perdicaris, the gentleman
In question, was one of a number OF Greek
youths who, during the horrors of the
Greek revolution, were ransomed from their
Turkish captors by American philhellenes
and Yankee sea captains, and brought to
this country and educated, sometimes even
adopted. Among them were Prof. e. A.
Sophocles, so well known as one of the
great scholars on the faculty of Harvard;
the late Capt. Colvocooresses of the United
States navy, and Constantine Rodocanach
Of Boston, whose name was changed to
Newell Young Perdicaris received col
legiate education; and, being man of tai
emit and agreeable presence, married a most
cultivated and amfable lady of South Caro-
lima, who brought him some fortune Soon
after. in 1887. he was appointed first
United States consul at Athens. which at
that time was a semi-ddplomatic position.
He served until 1872, when he returned to
the United States, my father being appoint
ed to the position. 1t Is a singular fact
that Mr. Perdicaris did not resign until1S45.
During his residence in Athens Mr.. Perdi-
carts, ST., took journey through Greece.
the result OF winch Is seen III d uuOSt cltCi-
tanning book entitled Greece of the
Greeks" which gives capital picture OF
that country in the period succeeding the
Greek war Of independence.
On his return to this country MI. FER
dicaris, pere, settled at Trenton, N. J.;
there, with shrewd eye for business. ne
so well nursed his property as to leave an
ample fortune to his only son and heir'
who owes to that wealth the cause OF being
now a captive In the hands OF brigands. with
a good chance Of losing his lfe Thus II
will be seen that Mr.. Ion Hanford Perdi-
carts, although native OF Greece, 1ar nom
being merely naturaltzed citizen, 10 Ameri
can born, having an American mother.
father who was a naturalized citizen, ana
moreover was born under the American
flag. His residence at Tangiers was sug-
gested by the attractions of that place Tor
Europeans as we'll as its advantages as a
health resort 1t was the good fortune OF
the writer to meet Mr.. Hanford Perdicarfs
again some years ago when on visit TO
this country. He Is man of fine manners,
culture and aesthetic tastes, worthy ex-
annie of the blending of American and
Greek stock, and 1t may be earnestly hoped
that he and Mr.. Varney, his stepson. may
escape unframed from the clutches OF the
rufflans who have carried them Off to the
wild fastness of the Atlas range.
Like the Stone Case.
The situation, unlike most captures by
brigands in Sicily or the Levant, resembles
the case y. MISS o.ono -. ~
volyed with political motives IN aooiuoh
to the usual demands for a pecuniary ran
som. II it were Russia instead Of France
-rhio,, nod DESIGNS on Morocco and Hike
Erance had inst neeotiated a treaty with
EnaIend n,ss ctica,1y allowing tree hand
g. n,,ttinr thosa dasjons into exacution
III, afart1rato avant Gould 1oot verv s,,s
.,doio 49, nsferino on onnortuna nreteyt
for nrar and armed intarferanca with the
intor,,aI :, Ssairs re Morncco This would he
Ute IN accordanca with Russia,s hahitna1
,rntbods For axtand,n~ har dominions Rnt
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