The morning call., 1894-08-17
SHALL WE SURRENDER POLITI-
i -. CAL EXILES?

The Govern ment had better be careful
lest it establish an awkward precedent by
its conduct in the EZeta case. Ezeta was
Vice President of San Salvador, and was
overthrown by a revolutionary movement.
AS usual in such cases he fled and found
refuge ON the deck of the United States
warship Bennington. which is now lying
outside the heads. As soon as it was
known that be had escaped to an Ameri-
can ship the members of the Government
which had succeeded him accused him of
murder, arson. robbery and embezzlement,
and applied to the President at Washing
ton for his extradition under the treaty be-,
tween Salvador and the United States.
Mr.. Cleveland issued the order of extra
ditiOB, and has now directed the Benning-
ton to remain outside the heads with
Ezeta on board until the papers can reach
San Francisco. =: "
There may be facts in the case which are
not generally known, and which put new
face upon it; as matters stand the action
Of the Government seems Incompetent
sible. Ezeta met the fate of large pro-
portion: of the executives Of South Amer-
lean States He was overthrown by a
cabal-rightly or wrongly Americans have
no means CT knowing. When hewas over.
thrown he was accused OF all the crimes
in the calendar. That happens to every
Central American President or Governor
who is upset. In the tropical regions of
this continent the law is slack; life and
property are held at the pleasure of the
powers that be. Before ruler is bowled
over he generally makes free with the
property and lives of his opponents and
plunges his arms to the elbow into the
treasury chest. For these deeds he is held
TO answer by his enemies in his own coun-
try, If they can catch him; but if be sue
eeeds.@in making good his escape TO the
shelter of foreign flag it is held that his
doings were political and cannot be the
basis OF proceedings for extradition. The
crimes with which he is charged-murder,
robbery and embeZZlament-are merged in
the graver crime of high treason, and DO
civilized nation surrsnders fugitiyes ac-
cused of that offense.
: This. is chapter of law which was so
thoroughly discussed when our extradition
treaty with Great Britain was concluded
that every one should be familiar with it.
Under that treaty the United States and
Great Britain reciprOcally agree to surren-
der murderers and robbers, but it is pro-
yided that If the murder and robbery con-
stituted part Of a. political movement the
fugitive cannot be reclaimed And there
is good reason: for this. Revolutionary
leaders constantly take life and property
in attempting TO carry out their revolu-
tionary projects; if they could he eAtradi-
ted for these acts no country would be a
safe refuge for political exiles. We have
no doubt that Great Britain could make
OUT aacase of: robbery against Mr.. Egap,
ex-Unted States Minister TO Chile, and at
the close of our civil: war we could have
framed plausible accusation of murder
against Mr.. Benjamin, who was Queens
Counselin England. No attempt was ever
made to extFadite these persons, because
it was felt on both sides of the ocean that
their offenses wers political and not COW
cred by che treaty. 49, =. 80 So
The stories which are current regarding
the last days of Ezeta's rule in Salvador
are not pleasant. He seems to have out
done the average Central American 10
turbulence and .savagery. But with all that
we have othfng to do. What he did he
did in his capacity as de facto ruler of an
independent state. and the United. States
ca mot undertake to catch Salvador rebel
refugees. If EZeta should be landed. and
under the decree of q commissioner should
be remanded to the authorities of Saliva
dor we shall declare to the world that this
is nolonger refuge for political fugitives
from tyranny, but has become hunting
ground where .despots may chase exiles,
with American detectives to serve as blood
bounds-~- -