The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-06-03

eu s'atc VI the country anu tne Jury VI parry
passions.
That some new element is requisite to restore
peace and the rule of constitutional order to |
Mexico is very evident. All parties agree that !
the only hope Of such result lies in the giving |
Of a contingent aid in men and money from this |
country to the constitutional party If this aid |
cannot be given by our government, 1t should be
given by Individual action here with the coun-
tenance of our government. An abundance Of
such elements exist, and could be obtained il
the two governments viii only agree upon
the plan of doing it. That is the point for the
diplomatists at Washington aud Vera Cruz to
settle, and they should go at once about it.
American Citizens Who Cannot Safely Visit
Europe During the War.
Whatever effect the war in Europe may have
in restricting the visits of mere tourists and sight
seers from this country there is large class of
cur citizens whom it will entirely prevent from
crossing the Atlantic during the continuance of
hostlities, and that is such persons as may have
been born subjects of some of the crowned
heads of Europe, and who, having emigratcd to
this country, acquired citizenship here and
omassed some means, may desire to revisit their
home and friends, as many have always been
doing.
The military laws of the continental States of
Europe oblige every man over the age OF
eighteen to serve certain term in the army, and
by the Interpretation which has been given to
these laws, emigration and the acquisition of
American citizenship do not exempt such per-
sons from the obligation. Several attempts have
been made by these States to compel former sub.
jacts, now citizens Of America, on visiting their
native land, to enter the army and serve out
their time. While this exachon was demanded
in time of peace, it is evident that now, when
the personal service of every available man is
wanted in all the continental armies, the govern
ments of France, Germany and Italy will be
more stringent than ever in enforcing the mill
taly laws.
Our own government has been appealed to in
some instances on behalf of parties who were
arrested and put into the ranks on revisitng
Europe, and the question was decided that
their American citizenship did not protect them
This doctrine was very plainly laid down short
time ago by Mr.. Cass in the case of Prussian
gentleman who had been a long resident and
citizen here, but who, on his return to Prussia,
WAS seized and sent to join the army. He
appealed to MI. Wright, our Minister at Berlin.
who, in turn, sought advice from Washington
The instructions Of Mr.. Cass were, that American
citizenship did not exempt the born subject of
another Power from any duties he may have
inn IN @,of haco hooo N
of the United States Another case of still
stronger nature occurred few years ago, when
the United States frigate Wabash was at the Sar-
dinian port Of Spezzia The authorities there
discovered in the band attached to the frigate
former subject, who had emigrated before his
term Of military service expired, and they
actually took him Off the frigatc from under our
flag. Some amicable arrangement was subse-
quently modo, We believe, by Commodore Lava
lette, whereby the man was restored: but the fact
that he was permitted " NC tnhru at all from
the prosvcuou or our flag under such circum-
stances is confirmation that our government
holds to the doctrine afterwards expressed by
Mr.. Cass in the Prussian case referred to-
1t is true that in the famous Koszta affair
we reclaimed him from the hands of Aus
tria, on the ground that he was an inchoate
citizen, having declaSed his intentions but
that was different case. Koszta was not
arrested because his military term was I'm.
completed, but because it was alleged that he was
revolutionary agent engaged in revolutionary
purposes. His offence, if he offended at all, was
q political one, and it was not claimed that he
owed any uniul6lled duty to the Austrian 90
vernment
Within few days, it may be remembered, the
Secretary of State was again applied to in behalf
of some citizens Of French birth residing in Ten
nessee, as to whether their naturalization ex-
empted them from military service in case they
returned to France. To which Mr.. Cass replied
as follows
Your letter othe 18th inst been received In reply
have TO state that 1t is understood that the French 60
yefpment claims military service from all natives of
France Wfo may be found within its jurisdiction Your
na.ur slizaton in this country will exempt you from
that claim should you voluntarily repair thitner
LEWIS CAss
This announcement, taken in connection with
the cases cited above, we conceive settles the
question. 1t will hardly be safe, then, for par
ties owing military duty to any of the continen-
tai States to visit Europe at the present uncture,
and there is no doubt that large numbers of per.
sors 60 situated will be induced to abandon their
intention Of visiting their former homes for some
time to come; and this is the class, aud the only
one, which will be affected by the war. The
tourists will continue to go to Europe as usual
THE CHEvALIER WEBB ON LOUIS NApoLEoN--
1t would be very gratifying to know what is the
real opinion Of the Chevalier Webb about the
Emperor of the French. Ia the opinion of the
Chevalier Webb it is a matter of the greatest
consequence, and it is barely possible that some
one else may think so How distressing it is,
then, to see the Chevalier alternately praising
and abusing Louis Napoleon. For example. ves-