The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-29
A FORGOTTEN WAR.

Our little war with the Falkland Islands
seems to be entirely forgotten writes s. G. w.
Benjamin in the New York Sun. 1t is true
that it was not OF long duration and may APP
pear Insignificant compared with some OF the
conflicts IN which our country has engag ed.
But its real Importance lay in the fact that it
indicated the spirit which at that time per-
vaded our councils, a patriotic sentiment
shared, If, indeed, it was not stimulated, by
that great soldier and President, Andrew Jack
son. As such the incident is worthy of being
recalled at a time when the patriotic fervor OF
the people of the United States has been re-
kindled by the possibility of hostile complica-
t1onsw1th foreign nations.
The Falkland Islands lie in 43 degrees south
latitude ana northeast of Cape Horn. They
have growing value for their seal and other
fisheries, as well as because they offer q con-
Venient rendezvous to vessels cruising in the
South Atlantic. After various political vicissi
tudes they were abandoned by the British Gov.
eminent in IVA, although the usual emblems
OF soVerelg nty flagstaff, flag and coat-of-arms
were slngularly lett there as If with the inten.
tlon OF res Stunning control at more convenient
tlme The years went by; the whalers and
sealers of all nations continued to rendezvous
at the islands without having to pay port dues
or encounterlng any ostensible authority.
AT last 1t occurred to Buenos Ayres that here
was territory OF several thousand square
miles which, in default of any other proprie-
TOT, might well belong to her. She fortified
her claim, however, by assuming that she in
herited the long forgotten claim Of Spain as II
Buenos Ayres had any more right to that
claim IMAM all the other States which had once
formed part OF the Spanish dominion in South
america be this as 1t may in the year 1929
Don LUIS Hernet was commissioned by the re-
pupllc OF buenos Ayres captain-general or
Governor OF the Falkland Islands with full DOW
eTs TO seize and to hold the islands for that
! IepuDlc against all and sundry who might
dispute his title. To give emphasis TO his
pLoau commission he was to wear uniform
SUN with the usual large proportion of gold
iace displayed by America Hispano uni
forms; small military force and several can
/ non also accompanied the Governor without
%nich heitner commission nor uniform would
| nave aValled. Don Luis carried with him full
authority as well to seize, hold, confiscate or
| e&termnate all fishermen or traders together
Win thelr vessels and eargoes In word, he
was supreme dictator of the Falkland Islands
ana the waters thereto adjacent Don Luis
sa1ely arrived at his destination and imme-
d th TOOK possession ''in the name OF
Buenos Ayres. A fort being constructed and
the guns mounted, his next proceeding was
W seize three American sealers that unsus-
Plclously entered the port. They were the
superior, the Harriet and the Breakwater.
| Inc nrst was sent by Don Luis to the Pacific
nIteF seals, while her Yankee crew was landed
! ny lorce on Staten Island, near Cape Horn,
ana lett there to collect seals for the Goveruor
pom LUIS. The Harriet, for some reason which
ao 1osss NOT no. appear, was dispatched to Buenos
Ayres Tor condemnation. But the Breakwa tel
succeeded In making her escape and brought
70 the united States the news OF this unex-
aeo ana hlgh-handed attack on Ameri.
g can, cltlzens and property. Andrew
JACKSON was not the man to endure
for moment such trihing with the
le e OF the American eagle. He did net
stop 10 parley with the Government at Buenos
ayres; 10 exchange diplomatic notes and pour
pallers; 10 endure the backing and filing, ex-
penses, shlllyshallying promises and lingering
uelays not uncommon on such occasions, and
commonly submitted to by weak administers
LIONS mat 90 not understand the rights of their
own country or their own minds. The admin
1Stratlon OF Jackson was not of that flabby sort
he proceeded directly ad rem
Inc United States ship-of-war Lexington
oaPtain duncan commander, was ordered to
SAL without delay for the Falkland Islands and