Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-04-13
WARRINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

The Execution Of Esti ampes-The follow.
Ing communication will be read with interest
lie writer is evidently thoroughly convsrsant
with Spanish law, as we'll as with the state o.
things existing in Cuba. Admitting that
Estrampes was really citizen Of the United
States, (which, we confess, We are not inclined
to believe, as the class of Cubans who seek to
violate eur neutrality laws have, nearly all of
them, been less than Ave yearD from the
island,) there can be no question that his
trial, es il took place, was a violation of the
American understanding Of the treaty. Yet,
We remember that If party from Cuba should
make such an effort sgsins. the United States
Government, in Florida, as Estrampss avowed
that he was making at Baracoas against Spain,
our authorities, it matters not what party
might be in power, would treat him pretty
much as Jaokson very properly treated Aburth.
not and Amhrister. Believing in he sound
ness of the principle of doing as we would be
done by, We took 1t for granted ths: tn at plain
rule Of action would in all probability be the
guide OF the Government OF the Unitsd States
In tho Estrampes case; more especially as E
aVowed, from the moment he vas seized, that
be had returned to the island to revolutionize
its Government. Our land is an asylum for
the oppressed. 1t is not point, however,
from which persons who seek a refuge here
from their oppressors in other lands may, at
will, involve rs in interminable difficulties
with Governments and nations with whom it
is our interest to cultivate amicable relations
The following is the forcible, yet temperate,
communication to which we refer:
TO the Editor Of the Star:
In your number of this evening 1.-THE 10th) 1
read remark, inadvertently mace 1 think,
which strongly pre;udices the rights of Ameri.
can citizens abroad. You asy that "ihe act of
Estrampes returning within the jurisdiction of
spain for the avowed purpose Of making war
on that Government placed him practically
beyond the egis Of American protection"
Had you said that the character Of citizen
of the United States should not save the life
Of Estrampes il he were guilty, nor DESTROYED
the right Of Spain to judge him or any native
born citizen of this country, and to pronounce
sentence In his case and TO execute him. /
might have concurred with your views But
however evident the grounds for condemna-
ton may seem in this case, the principle sacri-
feed, By renouncing the safeguards of limo.
cence, is too important to the people of tbi.
oOnfederaey, now and hereafter, to be lightly
given up.
Spain possesses the right to punish those
who trespass against her laws within her ju-
risdicuon but in the exercise of this right
she Is bound by the treaty OF 1895 to allow our
citizens trial according to the ordinary
course of proceeding in law. Now, this con-
cession on the part Of Spain comprises two
distinct parts; one is the guarantee of judg-
nent by civil magistrate, exclusively con-
Quoted under the common law in its mode of
procedure and sentence the other the ex-
ciusion from the jurisdiction of exceptional or
military courts, and the military ordinance 20
which the the Creoles have been subjected hy
Spanish royal order, issued only since 1925
In the second letter of Mr. Webster in the
case Of Thrasher, he sets down, that to con.
form with the municipal regulations Of a for
eign country does not impair the title of citi-
Zens OF the United States, without an express
reouneiatien of the same. Estrampes had not
domiciliated himself again-he had lust ar
1Ived ID lis character Of enc Of our citizeps
The point, therefore, to be ascerteined is
whether the treaty distinguishes between
nsturalized aud native born eitizens: and |
say the treaty, be cause the laws of Spain
from thelr earliest recCrdR, acknowledge the
right OF repatriation, and even 90 into details
20 to the mode In which a subject should act
N case OF being forced to attack his ancient
Lord The constitution of 1887 contains an
article conformable to the ancient laws. which
has been inserted in the several political
| charters of Spain, viz:
| HE QUALITY OF SPANIARD is LOST BY A.
CURING NATURALIZATION IN A FOREIGN ooUS.
| TRY" DO.
But the atrocities practiced in Cuba under
mo administrator OF General Concha, are
| such as 10 excite now the indignation of even
| nose VINO are less favored in their acknowl.
l EDGED nights than the citizens of the United
states. Whatever pity the Iutelt,gsneer NAV
delgn to bestou on the Cubans on account of
What IL calls the institutions of their country.
IL has no foundation. Pity NAV be called
forth by the lawless exercise of power not by
| inc institutions. Bad as the system of mill
tary commissions is, it is invested with its
peculiar guarantees in the ordinances of the
army ana IN the revisal of the decision of the
| court by the Auditor of War. Those safe.
| guards, weak and insufficient es thew are
aaFe been Put aside, and the absolute will of
the tyrant, under the dictation of q rancorous
and Vlndictive set, is the law by which Gu.
pans and citizens of the United States are now
condemned and executed While we WHO
nave the right to ask for even more. hesitate
spaniard, honest and noble in his heart. the
hucltor OF War, whose report in the sentences
"uoiu Hom tne puDnc eye, has
protested against the illegality of this COURSE,
and in consequence of his refusal to sanction
Judicial murders with his name the ruling
party cry for his removal from Office, and for
the uncontrolled say of that tyrant whose acts
and measures in this matter meet with the
unconditional approval Of Luzuriaga, the
Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, as ex.
pressed In tho communication of the 18th of
March, published in the National IntsLliosn.
Ger T. a.
WASHINGTON, April 10.
The Attack Of the French on the City Of
Shanghai, China following accoun. of
this recent AFFAIR is from The pen of a friend