The herald., 1897-05-26
WEDNESDAY. 7AY 76. 1897.
TWO OBJECT LESSONS

General Drummond is a British sub
headed the late revolution in Honduras,
and, being made prisoner by the gov
ernment troops some two weeks ago
was sentenced to be shot. At this crit
ical moment the British warship In
trepid steamed into Port Cortez. The
commander. having received informa-
tion that many foreigners were impris-
oned there for political offenses, de-
manded their immediate release and
then, turning over the temporary COM
mand of his vessel to the proper officer,
proceeded inland, in person, to the town
of Pedro, where Drummond was about
to be executed, and ordered his imme-
diate release also. All his demands were
met with very speedy compliance.
This Is lesson number one.
The other case happened in the month
of February. A French cruiser touched
at the isthmus, and while lying at an
chor her commander received message
lIOul Lie L IcHCu COis'ul IL Sidl-
ing that French citizen was unlawfully
imprisoned in the military dungeon
there, and that demand for his release
had been made and refused. The cruiser
Immediately hoisted her anchor and
sailed for Havana. Upon her arrival a
very polite note was handed to Weyler,
which required the release of the French
citizen within an hour. Before the hour
had expired the prisoner was free, and
the French officer was occupied in read
ing a profuse explanation form the cap
tain-general apologizing for the un-
happy mistake through which a citizen
of the French republic had suffered an
inconvenience.
These are little things, but they greatly
stimulate the patriotism of the citizen,
and as greatly the good will of the
stranger who has been rescued The
policy thus adopted by France and
England in dealing with the Spanish
American governments and people may
seem harsh, but it really is not so. Gem
crosby, unmixed with firmness, is in
variably misunderstood and misinter-
rupted, everywhere, from Mexico TO
Patagonia. The masses of the people
are ignorant, and respect no other at
tribute in a foreigner as highly as they
do the reputation of his nationality for
military power. Englishmen are cor
daily detested by the official classes in
the coast cities of Spanish America, but
they are nevertheless treated with great
civility, while in the interior they
are particularly favored On the
other hand, the American is de-
spised, unless his personal quail
ties endear him to him immediate
circle of acquaintances, as in the case.
of the late Consul Willard, at Guaymas
The great tolerance which our govern
ment has extended toward the Spanish
American republics in cases of wrongs
and injuries inflicted upon Americans is
always construed as evidence of our
weakness and coWardice Chilli was go
impressed with this conviction that her
peace officers aided in the numbering of
American marines on the streets of her
principal seaport some ten years ago.
Chill was brought to her senses, and
Americans have ever since been re-
spected there.
According to the last report from
Consul-General Lee the robbed and
starving Americans in Cuba number
twelve hundred. One French citizen in
peril was sufficient cause for the pres
ence of French warship in the iarbor
of Havana. Twelve hundred imperiled
Americans and many-how many will
never be known-murdered besides is
not sufficient cause for the presence of
an American vessel there. This is simply
contemplate, and no nation, however
great may be her wealth or internal de-
velopment deserves, or can ever have,
share of the world srespect or confidence