The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-14
A PREDICAMENT
In Which the United States
Now Finds Itself.
Government PowerIess to Carry Out
Solemn Treaty Obligations.


incidents as those Of New Orleans and
Walsenburg. Colo. facing them, and such
affairs as the Rock Springs massacre OF
Chinese aud the killing OF the Italians in
New Orleans in the background. the state
department officials make no seoret OF
their apprehension that the United States
Is destined to, have serious difficulties in
maintaining its treaty relations with for
eign nations unless congress comes to the
rescue.
AS 1t stands now, owing to the limita-
tions placed upon the exercise Of the fed
eral power by a statute. the government
itself Is powerless to protect foreign clti-
zens whom the United States Is under
solemn treaty obligations to protect.
Under our peculiar conditions the national
government can only look to the state to
extend protection. and II this is denied, or
the measure of protection is inadequate, 1t
cannot interfere.
Meanwhile, the state itself is wholly free
from any responsibility TO the foreign
powers with which the United States has
entered into treaty relations, and these
powers are prohibited from even remon-
strating with the offending state govern
tuey Cdu lOOk reuTtSs Only W
the helpless national government.
So 1t is within the power Of any erratic
governor or weak mayor or an incompe-
tent chief of police in any city to force an
issue that can be decided only by war; and
the fate OF the whole nation may depend
upon the conduct of such officials.
For Congress to Consider.
This matter was brought to the atten-
tion Of congress by President Harrison at
the instance of the late Secretary Blaine
for the adjustment Of the trouble that
threatened war with Italy, as the result of
the killing of the Italians In New Or
leans; but no action was taken to carry
out the suggestion, probably owing to the
fact that the necessary legislation might
be regarded as an infringement upon the
old states right theory.
1t Is very probable, however, that Presi.
dent Cleveland will feel obliged to again
call attention to the subject at the meet
ing OF the next congress, and point out
how, in the absence Of such legislation, he
is obliged to appeal to congress to pay out
Of the money raised by the whole people
large sums for indemnity for outrages
committed by disorderly element in one
small place
just what shape the proposed legislation
will take cannot now be defined, but the
prevailing idea will be to make 1t the
business Of the United States court to pro-
tect foreigners In the United States, first
through the court, and, IL that is not sufii-
cient, through the troops of the national
government, and to do this without delay
in all cases.
1t is obvious that an amendment OF the
posse comitatus law, passed with the ex-
press purpose to prevent the use of troops
at elections, but proven TO be of much
wider scope than was intended, would
otherwise hurt the possibilities of the
strict constructionists of the states rights
theory, but as between this and the ever
present danger Of becoming involved in a
foreign war without a reasonable or just
cause, il is believed that congress will not
hesitate To declare for the law.