The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-09
Probably germany l. Right.

Probably Germany Is Right.
When only garbled summaries and
partial versions are available, error is
inevitable. There Gems TO be much
misrepresentation regarding the posi-
tion assumed by the German govern
ment in respect to the arrests made
on board the Elbe at Hoboken in DC
tober. Heretofore the case has only
been presented to the public in the
form Of brief dispatches from Wash
ington and Trenton, and the errors
seem to have resulted from the preju-
dices of the correspondents. To-day,
for the first time, THE JERSEY CITY
NEWS makes a fair presentation of
the German version of the case.
We print in another column a full
translation OF Count Arco's letter to
Secretary Blaine, in which the facts
are plainly set forth as they are un-
derstood by the German Imperial
Government. 1t seems to leave no
room for doubt that a technical viola
lation OF international obligations
was committed by the Hoboken au-
thorities in their failure to notify the
German Consulate of the action they
had taken. We pointed out the other
dag that under the general rules OF
international law, the Hoboken police
were clearly within their rights. a
vessel moored TO a wharf in a foreign
port being regarded as part of the
land OF the country, so far as her ter
ritorial character is concerned. But
we were not then aware of the Conven-
ton Of 1871. cited by Count Arco,
which, of course, takes prece-
dence over any general doctrine.
IL is, however. frankly admitted
that the right of the police to pursue
offenders, red handed" from their
crime, on board the German vessel
was not disputable, and no complaint
is made OF that act. But the failure
to notify the Consulate the next
day OF what had occurred, and
also to give warning that
the supplementary arrests were to be
made appears TO have been wholly
i~ndefensible. 1t will not do, either, for
the Hoboken authorities to plead
ignorance, for it is assuredly the duty
OF the police of a seaport town, in
which foreign vessels and foreign
citizens are always present, to be in
formed regarding their rights and
duties respecting such vessels and
citizens, in order that complications
like the present may be avoided.
So much may be said regarding the
point of law involved. The second
branch of the complaint involves
questions of fact. 1t asserts that
brutal violence was used towards the
officers of the Elbe without any cause,
and that innocent persons were ar
rested. On this head, it would be
improper for us to make any COM
ments until both sides have been
heard as TO the details OF the episode.
One thing we cannot help remark
ing, the eminently conciliatory and
courteous tone of Count ARGOS letter.
He seems to desire merely an express
sion OF the views Of the State Depart
ment on the episode as a means of
guarding against similar occurrences
in future. He makes all possible al
lowances for the circumstances of the
case and even for the heated
temper OF the police, coming not from
a combat in which one of their number
had been seriously injured. In view
of this attitude, our State Department,
aided by Governor Albeit, can take
only one course and that is sift the
facts 10 the bottom, without temper,
or prejudice, and if an apology is
required, make one frankly and cour
ageously. for the sake of justice
and friendship towards a peaceful and
friendly power.