Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-09-21
washington Letter.

Saturday, September 16, 1905,
The State Department has kept the
cables busy for some days now over the
case of William Albers the alleged
American citizen who is imprisoned in
Nicaragua on the charge OF resisting
the legal authorities and abusing the
President ofthe Republic which is con.
sidered a serious crime in most latin
American countries. There will be a
warsbip put at the disposal of Consul
Lee of Panama and he will 60 by water
to the ecene of the arrest and if Unjust
ice has been done to Al5ers and he is
able to prove his American citizenship
he will be released. At least go say
the authorities here. The whole trou.
bic in Mr.. Albers case came from his
dissemination to submit to the form of
graft that is prevalent in Nicaragua.
All of the merchants there who deal in
tobacco, and most of them do, were not
fled that they would have to get spec
ial permits to keep tobacco on their
premises and this they very generally
did. OF course the special permit was
a tribute to the local magistrate. Al
bers was visited by party of the local
constabulary who demanded permission
to inspect his warehouse for contraband
tobacco. Albels knew the methods of
the local constabulary and announced
that he had no contraband tobacco in
stock, that he was wiling to allow the
officer IN charge of the detachment and
one of his men 90 through the ware
house but that he would shoot the first
of the party who attempted to intrude
on him without permission. The In
spection was made and did not result
in the finding of any contraband, but
Albers was subsequently arrested on
charge of resisting authorities and like
wise of abusing the President of the
Republic. He is now in jail and what
will be the outcome Of the affair is en-
tirely predetermined.
1t is stated at the Department that
President Roosevelt does not wish to
shake the big stick over Nicaragua and
that whatever course is pursued IN re-
gard to the release of Albers and the
subsequent payment of an indemnity
will be framed with view to making
it as easy as possible for the N'caragu-
an government. However, the foreign
policy of the United States is dealing
with small South American republic
improved considerably in the past few
years and American lifo and property
is almost as eate there now as is that OF
British citizen. Great Britain has
held the palm for many years IN pro-
tecting both the rights and the alleged
rights Of her citizens in small countries.
She has several times shot up the Mos
quito coast because Of alleged indjgni.
ties offered by the Indians 70 British
traders there and it was only few
years ago that British entomologist
who was arrested in Central America
on some frivolous charge was released
under the guns of an English warship
and the indemnity that he demanded
amounting to about $250,000 in gold,
was paid down on the quarter deck be-
fore the ship sailed. His imprisonment
was about the most profitable twenty
four hours work on record.
The Keep Commission which has the
authority of tAe President to investi-
gate business methods Of the various
departments has turned up remarka.
BILE sensation following its investigation
of the Government Printing Office
scandal. Its latest work has been a
comparative compilation Of the prices
paid by various government depart
meats for ink. mucilage, and various
brands Of stationary. The tables Of the
Commission chow that the Government
has been robbed in a great many in
stances, prices paid for the same arti'
Gle in different departments varying
from 10 per cent to 100 per cent. AS
an instance bIotting paper which is
purchased by the ream costs the De-
partment Of Agriculture 1888, 1851 |
and IS SO for the three grades used.
The Department Of Commerce and La.
WAS A VERY SICK BOY
h., I'll s.,s,, Nj