The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-12-07

pathy with the Cuban insurgents. nor the
loss nor material damage consequent upon
the futile endeavors thus far made
to restore peace and order, or any shock
| our humane sensibillty may have received
from the cruelties which appear to especi-
ally characterize this sanguinary and
nercely conducted war, have in the least
shaken the determination of the govern
} ment to honestly fulfill every international
obligation, yet 1t is to be earnestly hoped
on every ground that the devastation of
armed conflict may speedily be stayed
and order and quiet restored to the dis
tracted island, bringing into their train
the activity and thrift of peaceful pur-
suits.
ALLIANCE INCIDENT.
One notable instance of interference
by Spain with passing American ships has
occurred. On March g. last, the Alliance,
while bound from Colon to New York, and
following the customary track for vessels
near the Cuban shore, but outside the
three-mile limit, was fired upon by a Span
ish gunboat. Protest was promptly made
by the United States against this act as
not being justified by state of war, nor
permissible in respect to vessels on the
usual paths of commerce, nor tolerable in
view of the wanton peril occasioned to
innocent life and property. The act was
disavowed, with full expression of re-
gret, and assurance of non-recurrence of
such just cause of complaint, while the
offending officer was relieved of his COM
mand.
Military arrests of citizens of the United
States in Cuba have occasioned frequent
reclamations. Where held on criminal
charges their delivery to the ordinary
civil jurisdiction for trial has been de-
manded and obtained in conformity with
treaty provisions and where merely de-
tained by way of military precaution I'M
der a proclaimed state of seige without
formulated accusation their release or |
trial has been insisted upon. The right of |
American consular officers on the island |
to prefer protests and demands in such |
cases having been questioned by the in |
sular authorities, their enjoyment of the |
privilege stipulated by treaty for the con-
suls Of Germany was claimed under the
most favored nation provision of our own
and was promptly recognized.
MORA CLAIM
The long standing demand Of Antonio
Maxine Mora against Spain has at last
been settled by the payment, on the 18th
If September last of the sum originally
agreed upon in liquidation of the claim.
It's distribution among the parties entitled
o receive it has proceeded as rapidly as
he rights of those claiming the fund
,ould be safely determined.
The enforcement of differential duties
against products of this country exported
o Cuba and Puerto Rico prompted the
immediate claim on our part to the bene-
1t of the minimum tariff of Spain in re-
urn for the most favorable treatment
by our laws as regards to pro-
uction of Spanish territories. A COM
lercial arrangement was concluded in
anuary last securing the treatment so
laimed. ,
Vigorous protests against excessive 6
mes imposed on our merchandise by the r
ustoms officers of these islands for tri- r
ial errors have resulted in the remission I
such fines in instances where the equity y
the complaint was apparent, though the +
exatious practice has not been wholly a
iscontinued. q