The herald., 1898-02-26

nuence throughout the world, and had
convinced foreign nations that the United
States would protect the lives of its citi-
zens with all the force at it's command
The case of the firing on the United States
ship Chesapeake by the British ship Leop-
ard is another case affording precedent
as to the governments mode of action. The
Chesapeake was proceeding to sea when
she was hailed by the commander of the
Leopard. with demand that British de-
serters, said to be In the hold of the Chesa-
peake, be surrendered. The American
commander refused to comply whereupon
the Leopard first fired a shot across the
bow of the Chesapeake and followed this
with two broadsides. The American COM
mander was severely wounded, three SAIL
ors were killed outright and many were
wounded. Being unprepared for action, 1t
being a time of peace, the American COM
mander hauled down his colors and sur
rendered.
Tremendous excitement prevailed in the
United States over the outrage. President
Madison speedily issued a proclamation
excluding from American ports all British
ships. He also caused energetic protests
and demands to be presented at London.
The British authorities promptly dis
avowed the action, recalled the admiral un-
der whom the outrage had been perpetrat-
ted, and, without request rendered in
families of all those who had been killed
and wounded.
1t a later case the American ship Prone
thus was fired upon in the harbor of Grey
town. The ship had declined to pay ex-
cessive port charges imposed by the king
of the Mosquito coast, then controlling the
country, under British protectorate. The
king called upon the British warship Ex-
press to sustain his demands, and the Ex-
lxr cn1f hrnn dSt6 i,afn hA
Promethus. There were no persons killed
but the United States government made a
prompt demand for reparation. The Brit
ish government gave this in the fullest
manner and without question, disavowing
the act and condemning the officer of the
Express
Displays of force were resorted to by the
United States in 1852 against Japan and in
1889 against Java. In the case of Japan
American sailors had been severely
handled in japanese ports, and the naval
courts failed to give adequate redress. A
naval expedition was sent to Japanese
waters, and this had the effect of securing
tn fullest apology and also an agreement
by which every protection was guaranteed
to American citizens and property in
Japan. In the case of Java the secretary
of the navy sent large naval force to
the waters of Java to demand that the
native trial courts should give the fullest
protection to Americans. The expedition
was successful in its purpose and all the
assurances desired were given.
In 1915 seven Americans were killed and
about sixty were wounded while they were
being detained in the British prison at
Dartmoor. This was brought on by a
clamor for rations. which was resisted by
the prison guard. The United States de-
manded satisfactory and suitable repara-.
tion and the British government COM
piled by an indemnity for the support of
the families of those killed and wounded.
There are quite number of recent cases,
the latest being that of the German occu-
patton of Kiao Chau over the outrages
committed by Chinese on German mis-
sionaries. In that case the German gov
eminent acquired as indemnity a large
portion of Chinese territory, as we'll as one
of the most valuable strategetic ports of
China.
F.. The principle of money indemnity for the
killing of foreigners had been been rec
ognzed in several recent cases. in the
United States. One of these was the kill
tng'of Italians, at New Orleans by a mob.
In that ease. while the United States did
not admit the responsibility Of the fed
eral government for the act of a mob. yet
indemnity was paid out of the federal
treasury as a matter of international
comfy and equity Similar action was
taken in indemnifying China for her citi-
kens killed at Rock Springs. In the case
of the Virginius large money i'elemnity
was paid. Demands by the United States
are now pending against Turkey for the
burning of American missionaries prop
erty during the Armenian outbreak. There
are many individual claims against Spain.
including the Ruiz case and that of DR..
Delgado, now pending.
President Buchanan adopted the proce-
dure of reprsal in 1859. This is meas
ure inst short of war. Mexico was charged
at that time with asserting to spoliation
along the United States border. President
Buchanan asked congress for authority
to send a military force to secure indem-
nifty, as diplomatic negotiations had failed
to bring redress from Mexico. This course
was adopted by congress and the prepara-
tions for the military reprisal soon brought
about a satisfactory adjustment.
Non-intercourse with Great Britain was
one of the measures adopted in 1909 by
what is known as the non-intercourse act.
as means of stopping associations which
up to that time had involved many compli-
cations and embarrassments. Embargoes
have also been resorted to as a measure
of offense against foreign nations, short
of war, the purpose being to prevent the
shipping of supplies needed by the Offend
ing nation.