Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-13
Apparently Uni Justly Ar
rested in Nicaragua.
DEFENDED HIS RIGHTS
AMERICAN CONSUL INTERVIEWED
IN HIS BEHALF.
Exequatur of the Official Withdrawn
Because of His Action-Fuu
Account of the Matter.

An American of much intelligence and
high character. who has been travelling
through Central America for the past few
months. engaged In scientific work, has
written full account of the Albers case
to friends In Baltimore, and this in turn
has reached Washington. This was the
case involving the withdrawal OF the exc
quatur OF the American consul, Donaldson.
because OF his Intervention In behalf OF
William s. Albers. American citizen
resident in Nicagarua. on the charge or
resistance to the decree of court and con-
tempt of the executive. The writer OF the
following report is entirely familiar with
the case, and says:
The Limon Company. OF which William
s. Albers was the manager, Is located at
Jalapa, Segovio, near the border OF Hon
duras. This corporation is engaged in gold
and silver mining and In raising wheat and
tobacco. and has made quite large invest
ments in good faith.
1T appears that In March, 1905. a COM
pany of armed men, led by one claiming to
be lieutenant IN the Nicaraguan army
and alleging that they were sent by the
government tobacco syndicate. demanded
or AlberS that he permit them to enter and
carry away his stock OF tobacco of the
season.
"Albers replied that he had no contra
band tobacco; that he obeyed the law;
that he paid the government in full: that he
held regular official receipts for all tobacco
In his stores He Furthermore said that the
first man who tried to enter his door would
be shot. but that he would permit the lieu
tenant to go through with one man and in
spect the tobacco in order that his asser-
lions might be proved. This was done and
contra hand
1T will be observed in this connect on
that Nicaragua is country overburdened
with government monopolies. the tobacco
monopoly being one of the most unpopular
and most profitable. In this and in the
liquor monopoly 1t Is freely stated that high
Omclals are largely concerned, hence they
are naturally interested in protecting them.
Following the search Of the Limon
Companys premises, the executive at
Managua. the capital of Nicaragua, issued
a decree ordering that any one holding to-
bacco In stock should obtain a permit:
should he fail to do this his tobacco would
be coniscated. whereupon Americans hold
ing tobacco applied for the permits and
were refused them.
Arrest Of Albers
These American holders thereupon ar
ranged to sell their tobacco to the syndi-
cate with the exception OF Albers. But the
treatment received from Albers who had
in his place American employees. who could
have enforced his threats If necessary,
caused the syndicate managers to misrep-
resent and exaggerate the actions of AL
bers when they reported II to the president
AS result, charges of resistance to au-
thority and violent abuse of the executive
(Which Is serious offense in many Latin
American countries) were made at the court
OF the district situated at Ocotal.
judicial warrants for arrest were issued
and both the Albers were taken into Gus
tody at Jalapa while peaceably walking
the street near their place of business. They
were taken to Ocotal, where, as far as is
now known TO me, they are held in Gus
tody pending the verdict of the court
which. 1t may be safely assumed. will con-
visit them