Mr. Bayard to Mr.
Strobel.
Department
of State,
Washington, September 20,
1888.
No. 324.]
Sir: Referring to Mr. Curry’s No. 280, of the 22d
November last, relating to the imprisonment of the Rev. E. T. Doane at
Ponape, in the Caroline Islands, I inclose a copy of a letter recently
received from the Rev. Judson Smith and of the Department’s reply
thereto.
You will call the attention of the Spanish Government to the matter in the
sense of the Department’s letter to Mr. Smith.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 324.]
Mr. Smith to Mr.
Bayard.
American Board of Commissioners of Foreign
Missions,
Congregational House, 1
Somerset Street, Boston, September 7, 1888.
Dear Sir: It has been in my mind for sometime
to write to you to ascertain what action, if any, has been taken by the
Spanish Government in response to the claim presented by our Government
for redress and damages incurred in the unjust arrest and deportation
and imprisonment of Rev. E. T. Doane, the American missionary resident
on Ponape in the Micronesian Islands, about whose case I have had
occasion somewhat frequently to communicate with you. Happily, after the
first serious mistakes, the Spanish authorities have taken a right view
of the matter, and Mr. Doane has been restored to his residence and
work, and matters on Ponape at present seem to be in a peaceful and
satisfactory condition. But the indignity to Mr. Doane and to American
interests in those islands has not received, so far as we have learned,
the proper consideration and reparation at the hands of the Spanish
Government. This is a matter of so much importance with reference to the
future right relations between the Spanish authorities and the American
missionaries resident in the Caroline Islands, that it seems to call for
the most immediate and vigorous action on the part of our Government. As
I understand, a definite demand for reparation has been made. It may be
that there has been received also the assurance that such reparation
will be made. If so, the matter will doubtless require no further
attention. I write to inquire whether our Government is advised that the
Spanish Government recognizes the propriety of the demand and is
prepared to meet it in a proper way. Mr. Doane was personally subjected
to serious indignities and to actual expenses of no inconsiderable
amount. Our board has been put to very considerable expense also by
reason of this violent and unjustifiable action of Spanish authorities
toward Mr. Doane. American interests in the person of Mr. Doane and the
work with which he is connected, have received a serious injury. On all
these accounts there is the most sufficient reason for ample and prompt
reparation by the Spanish Government.
It does not become me to suggest the amount of damage which should be
recognized in the adjustment of the matter between our Government and
Spain. I am disposed to suggest, however, the amount ought to be such as
suitably to mark the extent of the injury received and thoroughly to
impress upon all who shall have responsibility in the administration of
the Spanish Government in these islands the duty of fully respecting the
rights of American citizens and their work in these islands.
In a recent letter from Mr. Doane the information is given that the
Spanish governor has appropriated a plat of ground owned by Mr. Doane
and occupied by him as his residence, for which no compensation has as
yet been made. I think the governor has promised that compensation
should be made, but this promise has not yet been fulfilled. I think it
does not require argument on my part to show the great importance of
dealing energetically and promptly with this first instance of misdoing,
both as a mere matter of justice and especially as a means of security
for the future. The promptness and efficiency with which our
representations in regard to this matter have in former times been
received by the Department of State, encourage us to expect that this
matter, which is in some respects the most important phase of the whole,
will in like manner promptly be taken up and energetically carried
through.
I am, etc.,
Judson Smith,
Foreign Secretary American Board of Commissioners
for Foreign Missions.
[Page 421]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 324.]
Mr. Adee to Mr.
Smith.
Department of State,
Washington, September 20,
1888.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 1st instant, in which you discuss the subject of pecuniary
redress to be accorded by Spain in the case of the Rev. E. T. Doane, who
was wrongfully arrested and imprisoned in the Caroline Islands.
As you state, the representations of this Government to that of Spain, in
the case referred to, resulted in the admission by Spain of the
wrongfulness of the action of her authorities in those islands, and in
the restoration of Mr. Doane to his residence and work. At the same
time, however, the Spanish Government requested delay in the matter of
indemnity, pending the action of the colonial authorities, and their
execution of their design of restoring the property of which the mission
had been deprived.
A copy of your letter will be sent to the legation in Madrid, with
instructions to inquire of the Spanish Government whether the
proceedings of the colonial authorities have not progressed far enough
to permit the subject of indemnification to be taken up and disposed
of.
As to the amount that could properly be claimed, the Department is not
yet furnished with data specific enough to enable it to determine that
question definitely.
I am, etc.,
Alvey A. Adee,
Second Assistant Secretary.
