The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1893-01-21
RIGHTS OF DIPLOMATS.
They Are Not Amenable to the
Laws Of the Land
Whatever They May DO They Cannot
DO Arrested by Police Oficers-An
Oriental Prince Proves the
Depth OF His Love. -
Especial Washington Letter.1

There are several residences in this
city which are not amenable to the law
Of the land. Gentlemen residing in
those houses may commit breaches of
peace which would land others in the
station houses, in cells and behind bars;
but when the favored few enter their
gates no police officer, nor any officer
of the army or navy, can follow to ar
rest or molest them. When they enter
upon their own premises they stand
not upon the soil of the United States,
but upon ground over which this coun-
try has no jurisdiction. The places
having such immunity belong to for
eign nations. They are the houses of
the representatives of other countries,
and their flags protect them.
Viewed from an American standpoint,
this seems singular, but it is one of
those rights necessarily to be conceded
and respected. My adult readers will
recall the fact that about one year ago
there were troublous times in the South
American republic of Chill. After a
fierce war, one government was over
turned, and another took its place.
There was one little plot of ground in
Santiago over which the flag of the
United States foated. 1t was the home
Of our minister plenipotentiary. Patrick
Egan. Under that hospitable roof,
protected by our flag, were entertained
and sheltered certain fugitives whose
lives would have been speedily sacri-
feed by an excited people, if they
could have been captured. Some of the
rabble even threatened to attack the
house, but the Chilian government was
obliged to protect the American lega-
ton, and did so.
Thus it is, N times of war or peace.
that the homes OF the representatives Of
foreign governments are sacred in the
capital of our republic. If any mem
Der OF one of those households should
commit grievous infraction of our
laws, we could do Lothing with him.
Our government by our secretary of
state, would call upon the foreign gov
ernment. and demand the recall and
punishment of the offender; but to in
wade his home here would be equivalent
to invading foreign country, and that
would inevitably mean the commence
ment of war. The land, the house, the
furniture, everything about foreign
legation is free from the operation of
our laws. A foreign minister may owe
millions of money, but his creditors
here could not seize anything for debt.
They could only collect their bills from
the foreign government through our
secretary of state.
You know the old common law OF
"eminent domain" gives government
power to condemn property, take it
from the owner whether he is willing
or not, and pay fair valuation for it.
IT you owned a home in Washington,
and the government needed it for pub
lie use, congress could condemn your
home; the government would pay YOU
for it, and you would be obliged to va
cate it. But these homes of foreign min
listers, owned by foreign governments,
are free from the power of 'eminent
domain" and could not be taken with
out the formal consent of the foreign
| government.
No. only is the foreign minister free
from ARREST upon his own ground, but
the members of his family, his assist
ants, his servants, his guests, his dog
or horses, are free from molestation un.
| der our laws.
In the public prints not very long
ago it was announced, and never de.
MED, that minister from South
American republic bought 81, 200 worth
| OF dude clothes in New York city and
had them sent here by express G. o. D.
| The goods were delivered at the lega.
tion, but the money could not be OBJ
tained. Once in possession of the
clothing, the diplomat simply refused
payment, and, inasmuch as it was i'm
possible to bring any legal process, the
express company, which was response
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