The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-03

no Protest Exec pit In Case of Violation Of
Internstional Law-Hayti's stand
Washington, November 29.-The at
tention OF the department of state at
length been formally directed to
the friction that has arisen between
Germany and Hayti, as a result Of the
arrest by the officials Of the latter
country of a half-blood named Lueders.
While the department has been unoffi-
cially watching the matter for some
time past 1t was not until today that
the case came formally before 1t
through the appearance there of Mr..
Leger. the minister from Hayti to
consult with Assistant Secretary Day
and the attitude Of Germany in the
Lueder case was discussed.
The intimation was given out at the
state department that our government.
80 far, has gon only to the length Of
instructing Ambassador White at Ber-
lin to watch developments and keep this
government informed. He will lodge a
protest only in the event of the per-
forunance by Germany of some act
that Is not consistent with justice and
international law, something hat Is
not anticipated here. In other words
the state department does not feel that
1t al a right to interpOSe SO long as the
demands Of Germany for redress are
kept within the bounds of sound prac-
tice in international disputes, follow
ing in this the precedent set by the last
administration when it permitted the
landing of British troops at Corinto,
Nicaragua, to secure indemnity for
the ill-treatment Of British consular
officers. 1t does not follow from this,
however, that the administration will
look with upon any harsh
n unjust measures hat may be
sought to be put in force by Germany
towards the little island republic.
The department has been informed
that the statement Of facts that has
been made in the case OF Lueder Is
somewhat misleading in that it makes
some important omissions. For in
stance, the foundation Of the claim Of
Hayti hat it had the right to punish
the man as it did lies in an assertion
that he was a citizen of Hayti. Lue-
der was born in Hayti of a German
father and a native Haytian woman
and according to the laws of the repub-
lie that made the child a full fedged
citizen Of Hayti. Again, as an eXpla-
nation for the apparently severe treat
ment Of Lueders, the Haytian govern
ment is prepared to show that he had
been twice arrested and convicted OF
the same offence, namely, resisting n
assaulting an officer. The first offense
was committed a little over a year ago
and the Haytian law, like that in our
country, in some cases, provides for a
much more severe penalty in the case
of q second conviction. Also, as an in
dication that there was no discrimina-
ton practiced toward Lueder on the
score that he was a German subject,
it can be shown by the Haytian gov
IN that the person arrested with
him, at the same time for the Offense,
a native full blooded Haytian, was
subjected to exactly the same penalty
$500 fine and a years Imprisonment
that was melted out to Lueder. Alto
gether, the case is regarded at the state
department as one that might properly
be adjusted through the regular chan
nels Of diplomatic negotiations instead
of through the strong means of demon
strations in force, particularly in view
Of the fact thai Lueders is now at liber-
ty and in Germany, and the acute
phase of the case has been passed.
The Haytian minister states that the
republic in preparing for n eventual
ity, considering hat it's honor is involv-
ed In the present i and that 1t
cannot Yield to demonstrations of force
by a powerful nation. The minister
says that Hayti's forts are unfortifed
and that the country has no navy, but
has an army of fair proportions.
Naturally it could not expect to con-
tend against one of the most powerful
nations on the globe. but, with the hon
or of the republic at stake, he declares
it would resist to the last and would
prefer to be crushed rather thai to
yield to what it regards an injustice.
The Haytian authorities consider that
the Monroe doctrine applies to the
present case and for that reason they
expect that the people Of the United
States will not approve the cruising OF
Hayti by a powerful European govern
ment or that the authorities here will
not remain inactive if the Monroe doc
trines becomes involved.