New-York tribune., 1890-08-31
A DIVINITY DOTH HEDGE 4 DIPLOMAT
From The Washington Star.

from The Washington star.
one Of the most curious things in the world to
template is the location here In the very capital vi the
tned states Of number of patches OF land which are
mcnts Of foreign countries scattcted about Washington
The United states does does not POSSESS over the foreign '
to say 1t has not the power to take possession Of them
condcnnng and paying for the property. Nay. more.
It's authority cannot cross their boundaries without
permission To attempt 10 enter legation and arrest
minister. any member Of his family Of his suite
servant or guest within his gates, would De "a
ca,ts bel with the nation 50 outraged unless ample
amends for the transgressiOn made Not only are
the land and house occupied sacred but the furniture
and all things pertaining TO the dwelling. Nothing IN
10 be- seized for debt satisfy legal process
Not long ago minister from south American
republic bought 81 200 worth of dude clothes in New
York city. and had them sent on here by AdanSs cN
press G. o. ID. The goods delivered at the lesa
ton. but the money could not be obtained once In IN
possession Of the clothing. the diplomat simply refused
payment and. nasinuch as 1t was impossible TO bring
any legal process. the company, wS was responsible
for the amount was out Of pocket that much il 10
had brought action 10 recover according to law.
person who took part In bringing ana prosecuting
officer who attempted 10 carry IL into ELECT would have
been deemed "vioator of the laws Of nations and a
disrber Of the public rcpose.' subject 10 sentence OF
Imprisonment for not more than three and fines
at the discretion OF the court 70 mlch iot irSng & 10
attaches Of the legations here have made usc OF their
immunity in this regard TO run heavily In debt Tllr
United states Government nevc" ineriercs IN sucl
matters, considering beneath the dignity of It's
notice H. notion is that Idcsmen knowing the pHvi
pgcs of these people from hDIpiu HllOhlu oh o"t ''
their own protection
lint the immunity OF the diplomat from legal process
dos not merely attach tO him aud h, property within
the bounds Of his legation. lie Is not subject 70 arrest
any " here under circumstances in this cor TRY
The law SAYS he Is entitled to entire exemption nom
local iuri.dlc,On either civil criminal. Wherever
he goes the minister represents thc rights ind dignity
of hc sovereign state by which he l. delegated his
rsr,on f., sacred and inviol;,bc.T And this inyioahy
cNtcnd~ TO his suite family and servants none OF whom
Is subject United states laws or Ia arrest on amy
accOnnt even for murder During the last Adminl>ta
lion there was q secretary Of a foreign legation hero
who used to take fragrant advantage OF hlS immunity
I'm thls regard. II his custom 10 60 down town
every nisht visit the variety theatre or Gambling
houses. get fighting drunk and raise llan Columbia
generally. When II was proposed TO arrest HIN he
would fa back upon the sacrcdncSs OF his person ana
dcfv the minions Of the law. The latter. however
Upaly adopted the plan Of pretending that they dd
no, know who he and locking him up for ihh
night Hbefatlng him IN the morning with profuSe
arollslc~ ~ COnrSc.
nut the ministers and their attaches usually t1ko
GOOD care not offend against the laws and customs
Of this country. Exempt a, they are from loca
urcl tion criminal and civil thcy cannot max" them
lvc annoyine without rendering themsalyes undc rcd
guests in the eyes of our Government.