The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-01
Local View of It.

Writes Walter WeIlman, from Washing
ton: A man of reputation as an interna-
tional lawyer today cited to me an Illus
tration of the relations between the Uni
ted States and Spain over this lameltable
disaster: "a" and B" are neighbors. on
friendly terms, though there may have
been friction between them at times "A 5
son drives with a horse and wagon 10
BIS house on a friendly errand. There an
accident occurs, under peculiar cream
stances, in which the boy loses his life
and the horses and vehicle are destroyed
promptly expresses his great regret and
sorrow. Now a is not justified in Selling
his gun and seeking the life of B and all
the members Of his family. He is justi-
fed in demanding of the proper legal au-
thorities that they conduct a searching
inquiry into the circumstances. While
awaiting the verdict he keeps himself
calm and cool.
Then let it be supposed, continued the
lawyer, the verdict is that the boy lost
his life because Of negligence on the part
of some of BIS employees, or even of mem
bers of his family. In such case II IS
the duty OF B, as man and neighbor, to
offer all the reparation that lies in his
power. He should not wait to be asked
He should tender his apology He should
declare mis- intention TO punish the care
less employees or klnsInen who were di-
reetly responsible; he should proffer pecu-
MARY reparation. These should ac-
cept, and the friendly relations of the
neighbors continue as before.
Again, let ii be assumed, continued this
diplomatist, the verdict is that the boy
lost his life through a crime committed
by BIS employees, or even by members OF
his family. This is of course, a more
serious case, as malice is always more
heinous than culpable negligence. But
still there is no feud between A aud b
provided does what he should do. In
this case he must move even more rap
idly than in the other. He must apologize
pay and punish, and his apology must
be sweeping, his payment whatever is
suggested without dispute or haggling,
and his punishment swift and severe. If
he does all these things. there is 10 VEN
delta between a and 3.
But if 3 fails to meet these responsible
tiles, if he is slow in his action. if he
kaggles about the value Of the property
destroyed and the punitive damages, If
he is remiss in searching out and punish
ing the guilty, if he disputes the correct
ne IS of the verdict, if he acts i1sincerely
or eVaSiVely, there is only one course Tor
A to pursue. he may demand explanation
and wait an hour for it, Or without eX-
PLANTATION, 3 failing to meet his duty as
man and neighbor, A may conclude B ac-
cepts responsibility as if he had done the
deed himself, and proceed accordingly.
In O'her words, there is war between A
ard L, and war to the knife.
Settlement of this affair between the
United States and Spain will have to be
conducted upon the lines followed by ma
lions between whom there is no court,
each law unto itself. Much more depends
upon the attitude of Spain than upon that
of the United States. Our position is
fixed for US by the rules of self-respecr
and dignity and protection of our rights,
just as AS conduct was fixed for him in
the hypothetical case cited by my law
yer friend. A is a barbarian if he loses
his head and seizes his gun before the
facts are ascertained. b is savage who
deserves the severest chastisement if he
fails to discharge his duty as owner of
the premises upon which the catastrophe
occurred. A is a craven if he lets b off
without atonement, and Uncle Sam is
neither a savage nor a craven.