Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-26
FIRMNESS A WINNER
Several Times When the United
States Has Had to Deal With
PEOPLE WHO WERE TOO FRESH.
Naples and Paraguay Easily Taught the
Error of Their Way.
WAR AVERTED BY A SHOW OF STRENGTH
rrRoM A STAFF coRREspoSpExr., +,

tne Cnllean controversy Is HSuSlHS 81
prominently over the public mind and there
is so much talk Of war and peace, and the
proper policy for our Government to pursue
toward an outcome, it is not altogether
irrelevant to consider for moment 6
few cases scattered over our naval history
where Uncle Sam, in his search for peace
has felt called upon to assume belligerent
attitude.
Fortunately enough, the United States
has not had many occasions where it has
been obliged to resort to the'altinad ratio
regun. 1t is interesting to note, moreover,
that in the few cases which occur to mind
where such course has been deemed neces-
sary TO maintain the national dignity, the
warlike declarations were only a speedy
means to peaceful termination of the diff
culties.
One of the most attractive cases occurred
during Jackson's administration, in 1882.
The trouble was with Italy, or that part OF
Italy known at that time as the. Kingdom
of Naples. During the years from 1909 to
1872, the Neapolitan Government, under
Joseph Bonaparte and Murat, the success
sive Kings of Naples, had confscated nu-
merous American ships and cargoes.
Decided Stand Taken.
The total amount of the American claims,
as filed in the State Department against
Naples when Jackson's administration as
sumed control, was 81, 734,9 1894. They were
held by various insurance companies and
by citizens, principally Of Baltimore. De-
mands for the payment of these
claims had from time to time been
made by our Government, but Naples
had ALWAYS refused to settle them.
Jackson's administration took a decided
stand. Hon. John Nelson. of Frederick,
Md, was appointed Minister TO Naples and
ordered to insist upon settlement. Com
modore Daniel Patterson, who aided in the
defense of New Orleans in 1916, was put N
command of the Mediterranean squadron,
and ordered to cooperate with Minister
Nelson in enforcing his demands.
When Naples persisted in her REFUSAL, q
warlike demonstration was decided upon,
and Commodore Patterson laid his plans
The entire force at his command consisted
of three 5O-gun frigates and three 20-pound-
gun corvettes. So as not to precipitate
matters too hastily, the plan was for these
vessels to appear in the Neapolitan waters
one at time. Instructions were given ac-
cordingly.
Effects Of a Naval Denomination.
The Brsndywine, with Minister Nelson on
board, went first. Mr. Nelson repeated the
demands for a settlement, and they were
refused. There was nothing in the
appearance Of an envoy and single
ship to trouble King Bomba and his
little kingdom. The Brandywine cast anchor
in the harbor and the humbled envoy
waited patiently for few days. Then
another American flag appeared on the hori-
zon, and the frigate United States foated
into the harbor and came to anchor. Mr..
Nelson repeated his demands, and they
were again refused.
-Four days slipped away and the Stars and
Stripes again appeared on the horizon.
King Bomba, looking out from his palace
saw the 50-gun frigate Concord
sail into the harbor and drop her anchor
Then signs of uneasiness and alarm began
to show themselves. Forts were repaired,
troops drilled, and more cannon mounted
on the coast The demands were reiterated.
but the Neapolitan Government still re-
fused.
Two days later another ship made her
way into the harbor It was the John
Adams. When the fifth ship sailed gal
lantly in, the Bourbon Government seemed
almost on the point of yielding; but three
days later Mr.. Nelson sent word home that
he was still unable to collect the bill.
Brought to Terms by the Bluff
Just as the sixth sail showed itself on the
blue waters, King Bomba and his Govern
ment announced that they would accede to
the American demands. The negotiations
were closed and interest was guaranteed on
The entire squadron re-
NAMED in the Bay of Naples from August
% to September Is. Then the ships sailed
away and separated.
The incident in our naval history which
had in it, perhaps, the most points of COM
parison with the present Chilean situation,
was, one that began in 1856 in an offense
given to the United States by Paraguay.
In 1852 Captain Thomas Jefferson Page, in
of small, light-draft
steamer. the Water Witch. started out for
South America to explore the river La
Plata and its large tributaries, with view
to future commercial intercourse between
BUR country and the interior States of
South America. The expedition was or
dered by the United States Government,
and the countries having jurisdiction over
those waters signi6ed their concurrence in
The project.
The Water Witch pushed her way up the
river slowly carving on her investigations
trouble until February 1, 1855. On
that day she was steaming quietly up the
liver Parana, which forms the boundary be-
,ween Paraguay and Conientes, one of the
States of the Argentine confederacy, when
without any warning, a battery
IN the Paraguayan shore opened fire on
her.
No Cause for the Attack.
The little Water Witch was not fitted out
tor hostilities, and she lost no time in
yetting out of range. One of her sailors,
however, the helmsman, was killed. As far
Is the Water Witch was concerned, there
vas apparently no cause for the attack.
President Carlos A. Lopez, whose rule over
Paraguay was essentially autocratic, had
previously received Captain Page and his
,essel with every show of friendship.
A few months before the attack, however,
copez took offense at the conduct of the
United States consul, who, in addition to
lis official position, acted as the agent for
IN American mercantile company. Lopez
his disapproval by breaking up
he business of this company. and he also
ssued a decree forbidding foreign vessels of
var from navigating the waters of Para
,1ay.
The Water Witch returned to the United
States and reported the case to the Govern
nent. We claimed that the Water Witch
vas not within the jurisdiction of Paraguay,
IS the channels she was in belonged equally
veil to Corientes; and even if she were
within Paraguay's Jurisdiction she was not
vessel Of war, as her object was
entirely of scientific nature. Words to
his effect were submitted to Paraguay, an
'ur Government demanded reparation.
Profited by Past Experience.