The record-union., 1897-11-30
The Matter Formally Laid Before
the State Department.
Minister Leder Holds a Consultation With
Assistant Secretary Day.
The United States Not Anxious to
Interfere Unless Germany Com
mits Some Act Not Consistent
With Justice and International
Law.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29-The atten-
ton of the Department of State al
length has 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 on behalf of half blood
named Lueders. While the Depart
ment has been unofficially watching
the matter, it was not until to-day that
the case came formally before II
through the appearance of Mr.. Logger
the Minister from Hayti to Washing
ton, who came to consult Assistant
Secretary Day.
The intimation was given out at the
State Department that our Govern
ment so far had gone only to the length
of instructing ambassador White at
Berlin to watch developments, and
keep his Government informed. He
will lodge a protest only in the event
of the performance by Germany of some
act not consistent with justice and in
ternational law, something that it not
anticipated here.
In other words. the State Department
does not feel that it has a right to
interpose, SO long as the demands OF
Germany for redress are kept within
the bounds of sound practice in inter
national disputes, following in this the
precedent set by the last administra-
ton, when it permitted the landing of
British troops at Corinto, Nicaragua,
to secure indemnity for the ill-treat-
ment of British Consular officers.
1t does not follow from this, however,
that the administration will look with
unconcern upon any harsh and unjust
measures that may be sought to be put
in force by Germany toward the little
island Republic.
The department has been informed
that the statement of facts that has
been made in the case of Lueders is
somewhat misleading, in that it makes
some important omissions. For in
stance. the foundation of the claim of
Hayti that it has the right to punish
the man as it did lies in the assertion
that he was a citizen Of Hayti. Lued-
ers was born in Hayti of a German
father and a native Haytian woman,
and according to the laws Of the Re-
public that made the child a full
fedged citizen of Hayti
Again, as an explanation of the ap-
paa'ently severe treatment of Lueders,
the Haytian Government is prepared
to show that he has been lately arrested
and convicted of the same offense,
namely, resisting and assaulting an Of
ficer. The first offense was commit
ted little over a year ago, and the
Haytian law, like that in our country,
in some cases provides for q much
more severe penalty in the case of a
second conviction. Also, as an indica-
ton that there was no discrimination
practiced toward Lueders ON the score
that he was a German subject, it can
be shown by the Haytian Government
that the person arrested with him at
the same time for the same offense, a
native full blooded Haytian, was sub
jected to exactly the same penalty,
$500 fine and a years imprisonment,
that was meted out to Lueders
Altogether, the case is regarded at
the State Department as one that
might properly be adjusted through the
channels of diplomatic negotiations. in
stead of through the strong means of
demonstration in force, particularly in
view of the fact that Lueders is now
at liberty and in Germany, and the
acute phase Of the case has been
passed.
The Haytian Minister states that his
country is preparing for any eventu-
ality, considering that it's honor is in
volved in the present trouble, and that
it cannot yield to demonstrations of
force by a powerful nation. The Min
lister says that Hayti's ports are un-
fortified, and that the country has no
navy, but has an army Of fair pronor-
tions- Naturally, it could not exuect
to contend against one of the most
powerful nations on the globe. but with
the honor Of the Republic at stake. he
declares it would resist to the last and
would be crushed rather than WELD TO
what 1t regards as an injustice.
The Haytian authorities consider
that the Monroe doctrine applies to the
present case, and for that reason ex-
pect that the people of the United
States will not approve the crushing
of Hayti by powerful European Gov.
eqnment. or that the authorities viii
not remain inactive if the Monroe doc
trine becomes involved