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The Government is making every effort to intercept the assassins, and I understand that three arrests have been made. This information I have not as yet received officially.

I am inclosing on over-leaf copy of letter addressed to the foreign office, and also another to the British embassy in St. Petersburg. I have, etc.,

G. VON L. MEYER.

[Inclosure.]

Ambassador Meyer to the British Chargé Spring Rice.

AMERICAN EMBASSY,
St. Petersburg, May 23, 1906.

SIR: On the night of the 20th instant, Mr. William H. Stuart, a British subject, the United States vice-consul at Batoum, was murdered near his country place at the village of Makhindjaouri. As there was no consul at Batoum, Mr. Stuart was in full charge of our consulate, which is in consequence left without a representative.

For your information, I beg to inform you that my Government has already requested the British Government to allow Mr. Patrick Stevens, His Brittanic Majesty's consul at Batoum, to assume charge of the American consulate and to represent our interests at that place, and that I have asked the Russian Government to consent to this representation on the part of Mr. Stevens. I have, etc.,

MEMORANDUM.

G. VON L. MEYER.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, May 24, 1906.

The Department of State has just received the memorandum of the Russian embassy containing a copy of the telegram sent by the imperial minister of foreign affairs to the Russian ambassador at Washington, dated the 21st instant, announcing the murder of the American vice-consul at Batoum, Mr. Stuart.

The Government of the United States does not entertain a doubt that the Imperial Government will use its best endeavors to bring those who have committed the crime to justice.

No. 205.]

Ambassador Reid to the Secretary of State.

AMERICAN EMBASSY,
London, May 26, 1906.

SIR: I have the honor to inclose a copy of a letter I have received to-day from Mr. R. E. Stuart, a brother of the late Mr. W. H. Stuart, our vice-consul at Batoum, in which it is requested, on behalf of the deceased's family that should the circumstances of his death be such as reported in the newspapers the American Government should take action to secure the punishment of the offenders and compensation for his family.

I have been unofficially informed that no claim for compensation from the family of Mr. Stuart, who was a British subject, has yet reached the foreign office, but that should one be made His Majesty's Government would "take it up." In my acknowledgment of Mr.

R. E. Stuart's letter, while advising him that I was forwarding his letter to you, I have also suggested to him that this course should be adopted.

I have, etc.,

[Inclosure 1.]

WHITELAW REID.

Mr. Stuart to Ambassador Reid.

BEDFORD STREET, STROUD, GLOS,
May 24, 1906.

SIR: I venture to call your attention to the circumstances as reported in the daily papers under which my brother, Mr. W. H. Stuart, an English subject and your vice-consul, residing at Batoum, Caucasus, Russia, met with his death on Sunday evening the 19th instant. At present no further details appear to be known in England than those which have appeared in the daily papers.

It is clearly a case in which the circumstances should be thoroughly investigated, and if possible the offenders brought to justice, and I can not doubt that you or the proper representative of the United States will take all prompt and effective measures with this object in view. At any rate, on behalf of Mr. Stuart's family, I shall feel grateful if you could give them some assurance on the subject.

Whether it is a case in which the Russian Government should be asked for compensation is, I think, a matter for serious consideration, because certain members of his family will, in consequence of his death, be deprived of definite financial assistance which he was rendering them, and I think it is right that this question should be submitted to you at an early date.

I know that Mr. P. Stevens, H. B. M. consul at Batoum, was a great friend of my brother's and will, I am sure, do all that lies in his power in the matter; at the same time if there is anything which can be done by headquarters to strengthen his hands, I should be grateful.

If the Russian Government are incapable, as they apparently are, of maintaining proper order in their country, and of protecting the life of residents therein, I think they should be made to suffer the consequences of their failure to do so, particularly when a blow is struck at the official representative of a friendly nation.

I feel sure that, as the representative of the United States at the port of Batoum, his case will receive at your hands the best consideration and assistance which can possibly be given with the object of insuring that justice shall be done on all sides.

I shall be glad to furnish you with any further information in my power. I have, etc.,

[Inclosure 2.]

R. E. STUART.

[Clipping from The Standard, May 22, 1906.]

ODESSA, May 21.

Mr. Stuart, an Englishman who occupied the post of American vice-consul at Batoum, has been murdered there. Mr. Stuart was a nephew of the late Major Stuart, formerly British consul-general at Odessa.

A Reuter's Batoum message adds that the murder took place in a villa at 11 o'clock on Sunday night. The murderer escaped.

Mr. William H. Stuart was, according to one of the principals of the MacAndrew Forbes Company, of Cannon street, who knew him well, one of the most popular men in the Caucasus. He was gifted as a linguist, and spoke nearly every continental language. Three years ago Mr. Stuart succeeded Mr. Chambers as American vice-consul at Batoum, but he was a British subject, born in England, where his mother and two brothers now live. Just before his appointment as vice-consul he visited this country, and was at the time of his death contemplating another holiday. Mr. Stuart was managing partner in the firm of F. A. Matinevich & Co., and also represented several British firms, the most important of these being the MacAndrew Forbes Company, already mentioned, and which was the first to have tidings of his death. Details are not expected for another ten days.

Ambassador Meyer to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.]

AMERICAN EMBASSY, St. Petersburg, May 31, 1906. Minister for foreign affairs informs me that Kassim Didjavadgé and Ali Porkhall Oghly have been arrested under the charge of having assassinated Stuart and that the former has already admitted his participation in the crime. He adds that it appears from the communication of His Majesty's lieutenant in the Caucasus that the investigation is being actively followed up and that he expects to advise me as soon as possible of its final result.

No. 532.]

Ambassador Meyer to the Secretary of State.

MEYER.

AMERICAN EMBASSY, St. Petersburg, June 5, 1906. SIR: In regard to the murder of the United States vice-consul at Batoum, Mr. W. H. Stuart, I now beg leave to inclose for the information of the department, a copy of a letter dated May 22, and its inclosure, from the British consul at that place, reporting the circumstances of the crime.

I have, etc.,

G. VON L. MEYER.

[Inclosure 1.]

British Consul Stevens to Ambassador Meyer.

BRITISH CONSULATE,
Batum, May 22, 1906.

SIR: It was with deep regret that I had to wire you this morning as follows: "Extremely regret have to report murder of Vice-Consul Stuart last night. Murderers unknown."

In confirmation of the above, I do not think I can do better than inclose to you a copy of my dispatch of yesterday's date to the British chargé d'affaires in St. Petersburg relative to the assassination of Vice-Consul Stuart, which is herewith appended.

Mr. Stuart's loss will be felt throughout the whole of the Caucasus, and many an American citizen will miss the cheery welcome of their late vice-consul at this port.

It has been arranged that the funeral shall take place to-morrow.
I am, etc.,

P. STEVENS,

[Inclosure 2.]

H. B. M.'s Consul.

British Consul Stevens to the British Chargé d'Affaires.

BRITISH CONSULATE,
Batum, May 21, 1906.

SIR: It was my painful duty to telegraph you this morning as follows: "Owing to murder of British subject and American Vice-Consul Stuart last night shall be unable to proceed Tiflis to-night; shall forward report re case Stock to-morrow or next day."

In confirming the foregoing message I have the honor to report that while Mr. Stuart was proceeding on foot at 10.30 p. m. last night along a secluded part of the road leading to his country residence at Makendjaouri he was fired at three times by some unknown persons who were concealed in the bushes. All three shots took effect, one in the left knee, another just above the left hip, and the third bullet piercing the left arm below the elbow, lodged itself in the region of the heart.

Mr. Stuart was picked up in a dying condition shortly after the occurrence, by a friend who was staying at the villa and by two of his servants, who ran in the direction from which the report of the firing came. He was only able to give a few words of instructions to them and say that he had been shot at by two men.

The body was brought to his town residence about 1.30 a. m., and I immediately roused all the authorities, including the governor, chief of the district, procureur, police, etc., etc., and a searching inquiry was then and there instituted on the spot and is now being carried out.

It is reported this afternoon that two men have been arrested on suspicion as being implicated in the murder, and the general opinion appears to be that these men were paid to assassinate Mr. Stuart, who was respected and beloved by all those whom he knew and all those who had dealings with him.

It is generally supposed that the crime was committed through either envy or revenge, seeing that the small sum of money which he had on him, his watch and chain, and the contents of his pockets were not touched.

I have, etc.,

P. STEVENS.

The Acting Secretary of State to Ambassador Meyer. No. 150.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, June 13, 1906.

SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 519, of the 24th ultimo, inclosing copies of your note to the foreign office and of your note to the British embassy at St. Petersburg, in regard to the murder of Mr. Stuart, the American vice-consul at Batum. Your action is approved.

I am, etc.,

No. 232.]

ROBERT BACON.

The Secretary of State to Ambassador Reid.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 15, 1906. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 205, of the 26th ultimo, transmitting copy of a letter from Mr. R. E. Stuart, brother of the late W. H. Stuart, American vice-consul at Batum, asking that action be taken for the punishment of the latter's murderers, and that steps be taken by this Government to obtain compensation for his family.

In reply I have to say that our ambassador to Russia is pressing for the punishment of the murderer or murderers, and has advised the department of the arrest of two persons, one of whom has confessed participation in the crime. The department sees no reason to believe that the fact that Mr. Stuart was the American vice-consul had any instigating connection with the crime, and it agrees with you that any demand for compensation for that family should be considered by the British Government.

I am, etc.,

ELIHU ROOT.

TREATMENT AND CONDITION OF JEWS IN RUSSIA.

The Acting Secretary of State to Ambassador Meyer.

[Telegram.--Paraphrase.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, April 7, 1906.

(Mr. Bacon states that grave fears are felt in this country by relatives of the Jews in Russia, who believe that mob disturbances and unlawful attacks are planned for Easter, and wants to know what information Mr. Meyer has as to the precautions which have been taken to avert the dreadful events of former years.)

Ambassador Meyer to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram. Paraphrase.]

ST. PETERSBURG, April 9, 1906.

(Mr. Meyer states that he has been assured by M. Witte that there will not be any disturbances, and that the minister of the interior sent out a circular to all the governors saying that they must hold the police responsible, and that this has reassured the chairman of the Jewish committee. Mr. Meyer says that he thinks that disturbances will occur in isloated places on account of the ill feeling of some subordinates.)

No. 544.]

Ambassador Meyer to the Secretary of State.

AMERICAN EMBASSY, St. Petersburg, June 16, 1906. SIR: I beg leave to report that Thursday, June 14, Corpus Christi Day, was the anniversary of the saving of Bielostok from cholera. The day was observed by orthodox processions, which were interrupted by pistol shots from the tops of certain Jewish houses, supplemented by the throwing of a bomb. This created a terrible commotion, resulting in the massacre of Jews and much loss of life on both sides.

It is difficult to obtain authentic and reliable information concerning the affair, the report, however, appears to be confirmed from sev eral sources that the authors were Jewish anarchists who fired revolvers at the Russian Church procession and killed several persons taking part in it. This occasioned uprisings against the Jews and outrages by rioters as well as destruction of Jewish property. The troops have dislodged bands of rioters, and order is being slowly restored.

The exact number of victims is unknown, but 100 killed and 250 wounded is thought at this time to represent the casualties.

Bielostok is a town of about 60,000 inhabitants. Martial law has been proclaimed and additional troops are arriving.

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