Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-29
Haiti viii Not Yield to Germany's
Urgent Demands.
WOULD RESIST 10 TEE LAST
Pacific View of the Situation by
State Department Officials.
LUEDERS' CASE DESCRIBED

The attention of the Department of State
has at length been formally directed to the
friction that has arisen between Germany
and Haiti as a result of the arrest by the
officials of the latter country of half
blood named Lueders. While the depart
ment has been unofficially watching the
matter for some time past, 1t was not until
today that the case came formally before it
through the appearance there of Mr.. Leger,
the minister from Haiti to Washington.
The minister came to consult Assistant
Secretary Day. and although the object of
his visit was not officially disclosed, it is
not doubted that the attitude of Germany
in the Lueders case was discussed.
The intimation was given out at the State
Department today that our government has
so far only gone to the length of instruct
ing United States Ambassador White at
Berlin to watch the development of the
case and keep this government informed,
and that he will lodge a protest only in
the event of the performance by Germany
of some act that is not consistaot with
justice and international law, something
that is not anticipated here. In other
words, the State Department does not feel
that 1t has a right to interpose SO long as
the demands of Germany for redress are
kept within the bounds of sound practice in
international disputes.
In taking this attitude the administration
follows the precedent set by the last adj
miListration when it declined to interfere
with the landing of British troops. at Co.
rinto, Nicaragua, to secure indemnity for
the ill-treatment Of British consular Off
GERS 1t does not follow from this, how
ever. that it will look with unconcern upon
any harsh end unjust measures that may
be sought to be put in force by Germany
toward the little island republic.
The department has been informed that
hoe t,fu - fan hot boo l.
in the case of Lueders is somewhat mis-
leading, in that it makes some important
omissions. For instance, the foundation of
the claims of Haiti that it had the right
to punish the man it did lies in the as
assertion that he was a citizen of Haiti.
Lueders was born in Haiti of German
father and a native Haiti woman, and ac-
cording to the laws of the republic that
made the child full-fedged citizen Of
Haiti AS an additional explanation of
the apparently severe treatment of Lued-
ers, the Haitian government is prepared
to show that he had been twice arrested
and convicted of the same offense--namely,
resisting and asSaulting an officer. The
first ofense was committed a little over a
year ago and the Haitian law, like that
in our country in some cases, provides for
much more severe penalty in he case
of Il second conviction. Also as an indica-
ton that there was no discrimination prac-
tiCed toward LuederS on the score that
he was a German subject, 1t will be shown
by the Haitian government that the person
arrested with him at the same time for
the same offense. a native full-blooded
Haitian, subjected TO exactly the same
penalty melted out to Lueders-$oOO fine and
a years Imprisonment.
Altogether the case is regarded at the
State Department as one that may properly
be adjusted through the regular channels
CT diplomatic negotiation, instead of
through the strong means OF demonstra-
ton of force, particularly in view of the
fact that Lueders is now at liberty and
in Germany, and the acute phase of the
case mas passed. II
Notwithstanding the pacific view of the
situation taken by the officials of this gov
ernment. the Haitian minister states that
the republic is preparing for any eventual
ity, considering that its honor is involved
in the present trouble, and that 1T can
powerful nation, even though the E:tle
republic be crushed as a result of conflict.
The minister admits that Haitfs ports are
unfcrtifed. and that the country has no
navy. 1t has. however, he says, an army
of fair proportions Naturally /. could not
expect to contend against one Of the most
powerful nations on the globe but, with
the honor of the little republic at stake, it
would at least resist to the last, and would
prefer to be crushed rather than yield to
what it regards as an injustice.
The Haitian authorities consider that the
Monroe doctrine applies to Haiti as well
as to other countries of the western hemi-
sphere, and for that reason it is confidently
United States will not consent to the
crushing of Haiti by a powerful European
government, or that the authorities here
will remain inactive.