The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-05
TWO INTERNATIONAL CODES.

It would seem that there is one code %
international Law which applies solely 10
the countries which are relatively no
strong az to make 1t dangerous exper-
iment TO attempt any bulidozing policy
toward them. and another code which
has 10 reeiproca.ing clauses, and which
applies solely to the dealing OF strong
nation with a weak one.
Great Britain seems TO be the great
authority to determine which Of these
codes Is TO apply ia her dealings with
other nations. With Nicaragua, for ex-
ample. the rule laid down is indemnity
first. without an instant's delay. to the
fun amount of the British claims pre-
sented by themselves. After that arbitra-
ton may be had, that is. after there Is
nothing left 20 arbitrafe. This code was
at one time In full force on the border be-
tween England and Scotland and under
the name OF lockwood Justice" had a
great vogue IN the unsettled days OF the
border wars. The main feature of the
code was that the accused was hanged
first. and after that portion of the cere-
nony was over, a jury was empanelied
90 try him. From one point of yiew-not
that Of the accusei-this code had It's ad-
vantages. Mistrials were infrequent, and
on the whole substantial justice was
done. for there were few residents on the
border who did not deserve hanging on
gneral principles
The adaptation Of this code 20 the set
tlement or the dispute with Nicaragua
seems 10 have met with tho warm ap-
prevail OF Mr.. Cleveland. and IL is proba-
bic that he may be SO complainant In the
matter for the reason that he looks for
ward TO making the application OF an
other section Of the same code TO the case
OF Hawaii. II Is known that the state
department has had under serious consid-
Grafton the cases Of the American citi-
zens who were expelled from the island
republic for having lent aid 10 the late
abortive revolutionary movement of the
royallsts. These defeated plotters de-
mand that the Hawaiian government be
compelled to pay them damages for hav-
ing driven them from the country.
Now. under one international code. that
recognized heretofore as the sole one.
these gentry would not have leg 10
stand on. Had they been expelled, under
similar circumstances, from France, Ger
many. Russia, or even Turkey. the de-
partment OF state would not have con-
sidered their claims Cor a moment. They
would have been promptly Informed that
when they expatrlated themselves ana
took up a residence In foreign country.
they at once made themselves liable 70
all thu municipal laws OF that country.
and when they willfully violate those
laws they must accept the punishment
FOR the oTense whether IL involved i'm
prisonment Punishment or pecuuiary
anes.
But the Hawaiian government has no
friends in the counscis OF the present ad-
minisiratton. and unfortunately for Il.
has no powerful allies. Il would %
cheap ana convenient amusement to bully
1t into paying an indemnity to those
Americans who had eadeavorei to carry
out IN their Individual persons that de-
sign OF subyer;iag the republic. % enect
which Mr.. Cleveland had endeavored 70
use the whole power OF this country.
They we're simply. IN q small Nay. carry
iag out Mr.. ClevelauFS own policy. 10
carry out which he hal sent a personal
representative. charged With the duty ot
stirring UP insurrectlon. 20 ths islands
With men whose views ana designs
we're 50 closely similar 20 his own. Mr..
Cleveland must naturally feel warm
sympathy. and i, would - but natural &;
should take leaf from the book o.
his exesnrlar-Great Brstain-znd urge
urcn ths Hawaiian government e. I'm
m@1sa,s repsrattoa Tor she wrongs ana
outragez perpesrated upon these Asner4-
can eisizsns tn experinx theua frara a
country where they were making money
by acting as agents tn fouc8,lng up re-
belltaa-
They can probably Re able % prosucs
rroos showing that they were raaklax
falIy IS much money IN this manner as
waS tie Enxiissasaa expelled from Near
axtsa N ths conduct OF ais u.te gin
u1sR. for ne less % which be Is 20 re
ceIvs s-Se0