The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-12-04

Expects United States to Assist In
Preventing an OPP
nr2SSiOn.

Washington, D. c.. Nov. 29.-The at
tention of the department of state at
length has been formally directed to the
friction that has arisen between Germany
and Hayti as result of the arrest by
the officials of the latter country of
half-blOod named Lueders.
While the department has been unoth-
cially watching the matter for some time
past ii was not until today that the case
came formally before it through the APP
pearance there of Mr.. Leger, the minister
from Hayti to Washington. The MINIS
ter came to consult Assistant Secretary
Day and the attitude of Germany III the
IuederS case was discussed.
The intimation was given out at the
state department that our government
has so far gone only to the length OF IN
Structing Ambassador White at Berlin
to watch developments and keep his gov
eminent informed. He will lodge pro-
test only i'll the event of the performance
by Germany of some ;:CS that Is not con
Sistent with justice and international
law; something that is not anticipated
here.
In other words the state department
does not feel that it has a right TO inter
pose as long as the demands of Germany
for redress are kept within the bounds OF
sound practice in international disputes,
following in this the precedent set by the
last administration when it permitted the
landing of British troops at COrlnto, NC
aragua, to secure indemnity tor the IL
treatment of British consular officer 1t
does not follow from this, however, that
the administration will look with uncon-
Germ on any harsh and unjust measures
that may be sought to be put i'll force 10y
Germany towards the little island rcpub-
| lie.
The department has been informed
| that the statement of facts that has been
made in the case of Lucders is somewhat
misleading in that it makes some I'M
pOrtant omissions. For instance, the
foundation Of the claim of Hayti that it
had the right to punish the man as 1t
did, lies i'll the assertion that he was Il
citizen Of Hayti. Lueders was born i'll
llayti of a German father and native
/ Hayti woman, and according 10 the laws
of Iayti that made the child a full
| hcdged citizen.
Again, as an explanation for the ap-
parently severe treatment of IucdcrS the
Haytian government is prepared to show
| that he had been twice arrested and con-
victed of the same offcnsc, namely, re-
sisting an officer The first offcn>e was
committed a little over Il year ago and
the Haytian law, like that i'll our cuun-
| try. i'll some cases provides for a much
moro sever" penalty i'll the case of
| second conviction. Also. as an indication
| that there was no discrimination prac-
ticCd towards Lucdcrs on the score that
he was Il German subject. it can be
shown by the Haytian government that
| the person arrested with him at the same
| time for the same offcnse, Il native. full
blOodcd Haytian, was subjected to exact
~ the same pcnalty-S5O0 fine and a
years lmprisOnment-that was melted
cut TO IucderS
Altogether the case is regarded at the
state department as one that might prop
erly be adjusted through the regular chan
nclS of diplomatic negotiations instead of
! through the strong means of demonstrate
ton III force, particularly in view of the
| fact that Lucd"rs is now at liberty and
III Germany. and the acute phase Of the
case has been passed.
The Haytian minister states that the
republic Is preparing for any CvcntUaHly,
considering that its honor is involved in
the present trouble, and that il cannot
yield to demonstrations of force 10y
powerful nation. The minister says that
Hayti's ports are unfortifird and that the
country has no navy. bur has an army of
fair proportions. Naturally it could not
expect To contend against one Of the most
powerful nations on earth, but with tn"
honor of the republic mt stake, he declares.
ii would resist to the last and would
prefer to he crushed rather than 10 yi"li
To what it regards as All injustice. Tie
iiaytian authorities consider that the
Monroe doctrine applies TO the present
case and for that reason expect that 'bc
people Of the United States will not APP
prove the crushing of Hayti by power
tul European government, or that IL"
authorities here will not remain inactive
if the Monroe doctrine becomes involved.