The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-04-22

troversies or violations of the laws Of
neutrality.
Article 2Sa-1. He shall exercise
great sRrs thar all under his command
seFupnlously respect the territorial au-
thority of foreign civilized nations I'm
anity with the United Statea-
a No armed force for exercise taR-
get practice, funeral escort, or other
purpose shall be landed without per-
mission from the local authorities, nor
shall large bodies OF men be granted
leave 10 visit the shore without sim
liar permission, nor shall men be land
ed 10 capture deeertera
8. Great gun target practice, even
at floating targets, shall not take Dlace
within foreign territorial waters OF at
any pnint from whinh shots may fail
therein, without permission.
Article 2S4--On OCCASIONS where In
.jnry 20 ths United States or TO citizens
thereof is Committed Op threatened, I'm
violation Of the principles of intsrnR-
tiOnal law OF treaty rights. he shall
cDnsnlf with the diplomatic represent
ative OF Consul OF ths United States,
and take such steps as the gravity OF
the case demands. reporting immedi-
atelY to the Secretary OF the Navy all
the factR The responsibility, for any
action taken by a naval force. however.
rests wholly upon the commanding
officer theraoi
On the Use or Force.
The use OF force against a foreign
and friendly State, or against anyone
within the territories thereof, is illegal.
The right OF self-preservation, how
ever, is a right which belongs TO States
as well as individuals, and in the case
OF States ii includes the protection of
the State, its honor, and its possess
ions, and the lives and property OF It's
citizens against arbitrary violence, ac-
tual or impending, whereby the State
or its citizens may suffer irreparable
injury. The conditions calling for the
application for the right OF self-preser-
walton cannot be denied beforehand,
but must be left to the sound judgment
OF responsible officers, who are to per-
form their duties in this respect with
all possible care and forbearance. In
no case shall force be exercised In
time of peace otherwise than as an ap-
plication OF the right of self-preserva-
ton as above defined. 1t can never be
exercised with a view to infiicting
punishment for. acts already commit
ted. 1t must be used only as last re-
sort, and then only to the extent
which is absolutely necessary TO ac-
complish the end required.
Article 286-Whenever in the appli-
cation of the above mentioned princi-
pies it shall become necessary to land
an armed force in foreign territory on
occasions of political disturbance
where the local authorities are unable
to give adequate protection to life and
property, the assent of such authori-
ties or of some one of them, shall first
be obtained, if 1T can be done without
prejudice to the interests involved.
Article 2S9-He shall impress upon
officers and men that when in foreign
ports it is their duty to avoid all pos
sible causes of offense to the authori-
ties or inhabitants; that due defer
ence must be shown by them to the
local laws, customs, ceremonies, and
regulations; that in all dealings with
foreigners moderation and courtesy
should be displayed, and that feeling
of good will and mutual respect should
be cultivated.
Minister Can Only Suggest.
If 1 read these regulations Alright,
the American Minister can only sug-
gest line of policy to the command
ing officer of our fleet. This officer
uses his own judgment in complying
or dissenting, and cannot hide behind
the Minister'S coat tails in the event
of mistake. If my conclusions be cor
rect, L am deeply grieved that the
American navy should have disre-
garded Article 289, and shown no def
erences to local ceremonies whereby
feeling of good will and mutual re-
spect is cultivated.
l have already told you how the Ben
nington piled Pelion upon Ossa in the
way of slight, by firing salute upon
Kaiser Williams birthday at the re-
quest went direct TO Captain Pigman,
and was acted upon without consult
ing the American Minister. Now,
then, what has happened since? On
February 4th President Dole returned
to Honolulu, after a months absence
on the big island of Hawaii, which he
travelled over to learn the needs of the
people. Colonel Mclean, of the Ha-
Waiian army, sent word to Captain
Frank Wilder, of the Boston, then in
port, that he intended to fire a salute
in honor of the Presidents return, and
suggested that the American fleet do
the same. The result was that the
Boston and Bennington co-operated
with the Hawaiian army in welcoming
President Dole. The Boston had
steamed into the harbor few days be-