A Vice-Consul Arrested.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 107, 10 May 1904, Page 3

A Vice-Consul Arrested.

■SEVEN MONTHS IN MEXICAN PRISONS. Allegations of harsh and unjust treatment against the Mexican Government are made by Mr Richard:son. Acting British Vice-Consul at 'Tehuantepcc, in a letter to the Daily Tllail dated "General l'rison, Mexico City, March 3. ' Mr Richardson states that on August 13. 1903, he was arrested at Teihuantepec (Mexico), on a charge relating to a deficiency of £3OOO in the accounts of Messrs S. Pearson and Son, contractors for the Salina Cruz port works, to whom he acted as cashier. He declares that he is entirely innocent of the charge, and alleges that his persecutors used improper methods to have him kept in custody. He, however, entirely acquits Sir Weetman Pearson of any part in their doings. For four months Mr Richardson -was kept in the filthy common gaol ■and herded with Chinamen, lepers, And murderers. On December 28 ho was conveyed to Mexico City gaol, and was still there at the time of writing. He complains that he was marched publicly through tho streets of Mexico while the passers-by made insulting remarks about the treatment meted out to a "gringo" (English) Consul. "My imprisonment lias lasted almost seven months," adds Mr Richardson, "with as little prospect as ever of m.v trial taking place." The British Legation, he declares, has done nothing to assist him, and he .begs the intervention of tho Foreign Office.

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