Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-13
Mr.. Cleveland Likely to Have All
Europe on His Hands.
COMPLICATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES
Shooting of the English Puser at
New Orleans.
FRANCE AND GERM ANY


duck shooting he will probably find the
whole of Europe on his hands to take the
place of Congress, which he dropped just
before his vacation. He will find that the
affairs of the State Department are such
as to furnish him occupation and food for
thought for some time to come. Austria
Is about the only country now that this
government has not some sort of complt-
cation with, and the harmony of our rela-
tions with Austria is threatened. Every
thing was all right with England up to this
time. but now the shooting of the purser
Of the English vessel at New Orleans has
created a complication there. The English
are more phlegmatic and better informed
as to our Institutions than are the Italians,
and for that reason they may be more con-
servative in their actions than was the
Italian government at the time OF the
Mafia riot in New Orleans.
The Malta Riots Recalled.
When several Italians were killed in New
Orleans in the riots against the Malta it
was held by the President and the Secre-
tary of State and Attorney General that
in the absence Of a call from the governor
the United States troops could not inter-
fere, and that the general government
could give no guarantee Of indemnity to
foreigners for injuries sustained.
1t will be remembered that the italian
government demanded this guarantee and
that 1t was the occasion of a serious diplo-
matte ENHANCEMENT, resulting In the recall
Of the Italian minister and the breaking or
Of diplomatic relations between the two
countries. Exactly the same question is
presented in this case, and whatever de-
mands are made by the British minister
can only be communicated to the Louisiana
authorities. No doubt the British minister
understands the relations between the
states of the Union and the central govern
ment but at the same time 1T may be
deemed desirable by the British govern
ment to make test of the question and In
sist that this government shall assume the
same responsibility for the protection OF
foreigners in this country that we insist
upon from foreign countries for American
citizens abroad.
Lack of Centralized Power.
The plea that the general government is
not responsible for delipquencies of the au-
thorities of state, while perfectly sound
under our system of government, is not
satisfactory to foreign governments, where
power and responsibility is centralized. This
repetition of the question will, it is thought,
lead to an effort to establish federal jurfs-
diction over questions involving the rights
of foreigners. The British minister, being
accredited to the United States govern
ment, and not to the state of Louisiana,
cannot make demands upon the governor
Of Louisiana, and in reply to whatever de-
mands he may make upon this government
he must meet with the answer, courteous
government has neither jurisdiction nor re-
sponsibility in the matter and cannot COM
pei the state of Louisiana either to afford
protection or to pay indemnity.
The Firing on an American Steamer.
The firing upon an American merchant
steamer by the Spanish gunboat off the
coast of Cuba will. II the statement of the
American captain proves true, present
another foreign complication which did not
exist at the time of Mr.. Cleveland's de-
parture for his vacation, and ne will prob
ably not know of either Of these events
until his arrival here. 1t is understood
? that while Spain Teceded, in part, at least,
from her Determinations against American
flour, the fact of her feeling compelled to
do SO did not increase her good Will TO-
ward the United States. Moreover, there
Is disposition in that country to attribute
the troubles from the rebellion in Cuba
largely to American influence, and 1t is re-
garded as entirely possible that the firing
on the Alliance was an act OF wanton fg-
gression which the Spanish government
will be more disposed to explain by some
excuses than to apologize or make repara-
ton for.
French and German Discrimination.
It is expected also that the question of
retaliation upon France and Germany for
determinations against American products
will be just ripe for President Cleveland's
consideration on his return. Minister
Eustis has not communicated to the State
Department the reply of the French gov
ernment to his latest protest, but it IS ex-
pected that communication from him
will be received within two or three days
and will be here for Mr.. Cleveland's con-
sideration on his arrival. A great deal de-
pends upon the nature Of that reply. If 1t
is not satisfactory something will have to
he done. Whatever action is taken with
relation to the determinations with France
will naturally have to be taken as to Ger
many, the Netherlands and Denmark.