Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-08-07


meant by this statement. The Spanlsl
vessel had the right, anywhere. ono
hundred miles as well as one. from Span
ish territory, to hail the Washington
cause her to show her flag. and, doubt.
ing its genuineness, to force her to stop
board her and examine her papers
Otherwise belligerent rights would be d
myth. and impunity in contraband com
mercc would be extended TO every yes
neutral piece of bunting. The firing
upon the Merritt cuts no figure. either.
as if she refused to stop, the Spaniard
had a right to bring her to. There Is Z
confusion OF ideas in this matter. The
charm OF the marine league Is in its pro,
lection oil a belligerent from his enemy
when in neutral waters that is all; II
cuts absolutely no figure as to neulra!s.
Therefore the outrage in this case is not
in bringing to the Washington; not In
boarding her; not in demanding her
papers; not in leaving without courtesy,
but in this. that having found the ships
papers to be correct, or rather they be-
ing correct. without waiting to ascertain
that they were not SO. the Spaniard
with arms in hand, searched the vessel,
both as to men and cargo. According
to international law, Il vessel with the
United States flag at her peak is. prac-
tically, United States territory. When
the Spanish officer went one step be-
yond the rights granted him TO protect
himself from imposition. rs laid down
by hundreds of well known adludica-
tons, he violated United States terrific
ry as much rs if he had landed in New
York. marched his squad 10 the custom
house and examined there the contents
of certain bales of merchandise. The
war of 1912 was fought with England
on the question Of the right of searching
American vessels. 1t would be hard for
Spain to find even as good 4 preteXt as
did England for looking through Amer
lean crews; and /. the preteXt were
found. it would be quite difficult. we
imagine. to force the United States to
recognize it as Il valid reason for such u
course. On the other hand, 1t is as well
not to infiame the public mind with out
RACES which are not outrages at all, but
the simple exercise of we'll known
rights, and not to make use of the ma
rine league where it is in no way con-
cerned. We regret to see one thing in
this matter. OF late years there has
been sc much that is mercenary in Amer
lean politics that every wound has been
sought to be healed with money. The
telegraph, semi officially, among other
things, says of Mr.. Evarts:-"He antic-
ipates. IN the event OF its being proved
the indignity occurred on the high
seas. that the Spanish government will
make prompt PREPARATION when called
upon to do so,a 1t did in the case of two
iSiu ISutluicn WIG were lDlerltT-
ed with about two years ago. In that
case $1,000 was paid to each of the
captains as Naturalization for injuries
This would. no doubt, he
pleasant and ample PREPARATION to the
shippers mentioned. for Il detention ol
less than an hour each. the detention
being no outrage or otfsnse; but the
question is larger than this. If Spain
has determined to lawlessly invade
ships she must be stopped by
strong hand. and La Belle Isle
be something like 4 recempense
for her %lnsolence. If she is merely try
ing to guard hersel! against imposition
by prvateersa and smugglcrs in the inter-
ether enemy. well and good, provided
that she protects herseIflegaliy.
One thing may as well be remember
ed in this connection. III there must be
a war 1t must be under a democratic adj
ministration OF affairs in this country,
for 4 war would mean the annexation
of Cubs, and not one foot of soil worth
pence an acre was ever acquired by
United States except while the de-
mocracy was in power.