The morning call., 1890-08-31
\ STRANGE STORY.

Our advices from Central America are so
conflicting and the statements of fact
which they contain are often so misleading
that the reader scarcely knows what TO be-
lieve. This must be borne in mind when con-
sdeTing the astonishing item of news that
General Barrundia was taken from an
American steamship, IF the harbor of San
Jose &c Guatemala, by an armed body of
Guatemalan troops, and was shot dead in
melee which enSued. Other stories. in
one Of which Minister MINERS name is
mentioned, are likewise in circulation, but
il is perhaps best to await their confiTma-
Il n before repeating them.
One thing is very clear, if General Bar
rundia Was taken from the shelter Of the
American flag by Guatemalan troops, with
force and arms, there is likely to be trouble,
These gentlemen Of Central America may
fight with each other to their hearts con-
tent, and may or may not observe the rules
OF war in their conflicts, as they please;
we have no authority nOr wish to interfere.
so long as our rights are Lnmolested; but
if any Central American officer takes
man from under tie American flag, his ma
ton must answer for The deed; the United
States must have indemnity for the past
and security for the future. After our
bitter experience in the Trent affair, we
are not likely to tolerate argument on the old
adage of International law, the flag covers
the country. When an eXile's foot rests on
the deck Of an American ship, he should be
as safe from pursuit as if he were In the
street Of an American city.
The incident. if it be confirmed, will fur
nish a fresh argument in favor of bringing
20 bear On the Central American States
earnest pressure to induce them to settle
their disputes. In state of war the posi-
on Of peutrals is always full of danger and
annoyance. Every belligerent has right
10 interfere with trade to the extent Of
bloekaGing ports and searching vessels for
articles contraband of war. In this way
neutral neIghbors suffer through a state of
war, and they have a right to insist that it
shall not be unnecessarily prolonged. We
have been unable in this country to discover
what Guatemala and Salvador We're fight
ing about, and we have never quite under
stood why government cannot be carried on
in those States without the chronic shoot
ing oil party leaders. We make no com
plant of these eccentric performances SO
long as they do not initiate against Ameri-
can interests. but when they do. especially
if they involve violation Of the domicile
assured by the flag, We have a right TO pro-
test, and to protest loudly.
1t is a settled doctrine of American policy
that the Government Of the United States
viii not use its armed forces to collect debts
due by foreign nations TO its citizens. Thus
Americans quite frequently citizens of this
State, have been without redress when, in
their dealings With Central American States,
they have been defrauded by military ad-
venturers who have happened to get control
of thossnations. Their case was one Of hard
ship; hut for our Government to follow the
example of Great Britain, and take up arm;
in their behalf, would Involve a new depar.
ture which the country would not sanction
At he sane time, it must not be imagined
that the American people have been iDdiffer
ent spectators of the wrongs of their fellow
countrymen. There is very strong feeling
that those wrongs should be redressed, if an
opportunity of redressing them presented it.
sell without involving the country in hos
tilities.
The American people condemn with per-
feet justice the policy which England pur-
sues with regard to such nations as the Cen
trail American States. We do not deem ii
fair to let ''the bow precede the word. -
But the English plan certainly has one merit
foreign nations are exceedingly careful how
they lay hands on the person or the property
Of IN Englishman; and when mob does
modest an Englshman or English property.
compensation Is rendered almost before it Is
asked. That is so well understood that if the
story Of Barrundia's seizure and murder had
b5n located on board an English ship, noone
woull have believed it for moment.