New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-05
ASPECTS or TIE HARTy1NN CASE


ASPECTS or TIE HARTMANN CASE.
Several objections which may be brought
against the arrest and extradition of Hartmann
may be briefly considered. In the first place
it may be urged that the extradition of for
eign criminals should not be left to the good
nature or comfy of Governments, but should
be regulated rigidly by international compacts
Our own country has taken conspicuous
part in promoting diplomatic negotiations on
this subject, and by contracting special en-
gagements with the leading Governments of
the world has recognized the necessity of in
ternational action. 1t may be contended that
nations which have shrunk from making extra
dllon treaties with our Government should suffer
from their own neglect. Let Russia for ex-
ample, ne taught, by the refusal of our Gov
eminent to invade the right of asylum in this
case, how lnconvenient ii is not to have n spe-
clal understanding with her neighbors on this
subject, and her Foreign Office will speedily
open negotiations for nxtradition treaties with
all the great States. On the other hand il NAV
be urged that an international policy which the
United States Government has always taken
the lead in upholding, by precept and example,
Will receive moro powerful impulse if the
obligation to surrender so nefarious an Of
fender as Hartmann is recognized in the
| absence of special treaty. Favors of
| this kind promote good feeling between
nations, and are often returned when least
expected. For example, a Spanish officer
named Arguelles captured in 1864 cargo of
African slaves, and instead of releasing them.
| as his instructions required, sent them into
the interior of Cuba, sold them into bondage,
and escaped to New-York with his plumber.
The offence was regarded as q peculiarly
heinous one, and our Government, at the
urgent request of Spain, sent him back to
CUBA to be executed What was the sequel
In 1876, General Jovellar was informed by
an American Consul that Tweed was in San
hago de Cuba. Before he could take ac-
ton, the refugee had sailed for Spain.
but the Captain General telegraphed ut
once to the Home Government to have the
coast watched. Every precaution was taken
ard Tweed was arrested as soon ms he landed
at Ponteveden. Within twenty DAYS he WINS
surrendered to our Government One good
turn had deserved another, and as a conse
quence of this exchange of good Offices an ex-
tradition treaty between the two Governments
was concluded not long afterward 1t NAV be
that the promptest action consistent with law
IN tho Hartmann case may open the way for
u similar extraditiOn code with Russia.
Again, the objection may be raised that orr
Government i'll surrenderiDg Hartmann will
nave no security that he will be tried on
the charge for which his extradition will
be asked. John ii. Surratt when he was
hiding in Egypt, was given up with the
understanding that he should be tried os an
alleged accomplice in murder, and not os a
political offender implicated in plot to assas-
sinate President. We weIo as good rs our
word. He was not only tried for that offence
but was acquitted. Hartmann, it may be urged
will not have in Russia fair trial bv n ;nrv
OF twelve men as an ordinary criminal. bnt
Will be condemned outright as o political Of
fender. In reply, it may be safely assumed
that the Russian Government will not violate
any special engagements which it NAV enter
INTO with our Government. AS q matter of
TACT 1t cannot guarantee to give Hartmann n
jury trial without making an exception in his
case. jury trials in criminal cases were sus
pended soon after Vera Sassultch was ac-
quilted. whether Hartmann were tried for n
criminal or Tor political offence, he would fall
under the Judgment of military court. Under
the circumstances, it would be matter Of ex-
IRENE indifference to the st. Petersburg Off
Gals whether he was extradited for n crim;no,
or political offence. Tn result would he
the same in either case. Nor would thora
be crude injustice in dealing with him
as the assassin of a Car rather than "a an
ordinary murderer. Do not Americans them
selves realize that the conviction of Gui-
teau on charge of assault and battery with
intent to kill will be ridiculous seouel tn n
crime which cast shadow over every house-
hold In the landq Is it not a matter of mi
versal regret that the statutes as they stand
will not admit of penalty commensurate
with tho enormity of the crimeq We
venture to say that special act making
an attempt to assassinate the President
political offence punishable by death
will meet with general approval NEXT
December. Ii public sentiment has already
taken this form In the United States, is it
strange that in a semi-barbarous country. more
Asiatio than European, the assassination of
the sovereign is dealt with as something more
than an ordinary hOmicide7
Finally, the objection may be offered that
Hartmann, unlike Gniteau, is the avenger of
Nl