Evening star., 1898-02-26
LOOKING UP PRECEDENTS
Gases Where Money Has Been Paid as In
demnity.
Principle Repeatedly Recognized b,
This COuntry-Reprisal and Nom
Intercourse Also Employed.

Some of the officials of the administration
have been looking up the subject of indem-
mites, so as to lay the foundation of a
case, in the event it should be decided to
resort to that method of settlement in the
case of the Maine disaster.
TIE principle of money indemnity for the
killing Of foreigners has been recognized
in several recent cases in the United States
One OF these was the killing of Italians at
New Orleans by a mob. In that case while
the United States did not admit the respon-
sibility Of the federal government for the
act of mob, yet indemnity was paid out
/ OF the federal treasury as matter of in
ternational comfy and equity. Similar ac-
ton was taken in, indemnifying China for
her subjects killed at Rock Springs. In the
case of the Virginius, a large money in
demnity was paid. Demands by the United
states are now pending against Turkey for
the Armenian outrages. There are MANY
Individual claims against Spain including
the Ruiz case, and that of Dr. Delgado.
now pending.
There are large number of precedents
which will aid the authorities in shapinp
lhelr action In this direction when the
facts are fully established.
The case of the Water Witch is consid-
81 ed TO be the most analogous to that OF
the Maine. The Water Witcn was a United
States ship engaged in 1865 in surveying
the entrance to one of the rivers of Para
quay. without warning and by orders of
PRESIDENT Lopez Of Paraguay, a force of
troops opened fire on the Water witch
billing the man at the helm and woundinp o.
others. The President reported the facts to
Congress. and Congress authorized him IN
use such force as is necessary to secure
ample reparation. Accordingly an armed teet
was hastily assembled on a scale which wa .
regarded as remarkable for those davs
accompanying this outfit were civilian pIen-
fpotentiaries prepared to make the demands
of this government. President I,onaz,s
government was awed into complete snh-
lection. The American commissioners and
naval officers were received with much
| honor and every reparation within the
power OF the republic was given. This in
| cluded abject apology, a sweeping dIsavow
| al, and $4,000 for the sufferers from the
outrage.
| The case of the firing on the United
! States ship Chesapeake by the British sbin
| Leopard is another case. The Commando
| OF the Leopard demanded that British do
| serters said to be in the hold of the Chesa :
peake, be surrendered. The American COM
| nander refused, whereupon the Ieona rd
first fired shot across the bow of the
| Chesapeake, and followed this with two
| broadsides. The American commander was
wounded. three sailors were killed and
| many were wounded. Being unprepared
the American commander hauled down his
| colors and surrendered.
| President Madison issued a proclamation
excluding from American ports all British
| war ships and caused protests and deman nds
/ to be presented at London. The British au-
| thorities disavowed the action, recalled the
admiral under whom the outrage had beer
perpetrated, and, without request rendered
indemnity sufficient to support the wives
and families of all those who had been
| KILLED and wounded.
| In a later case the American ship Pro-
| metheus was fired upon in the harbor OF
| Greytown. The ship had declined to pay
| excessive port charges imposed by the hns
! Of the Mosquito country. then under 9
British protectorate. The king called or