The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-26
QUESTION OF INDEMNITY.
Authorities Looking UP Precedents In
Case Spain Must Settle.

Authorities Looking UP Precedents in
Case Spain Must Settle.
Washington. Feb. 26.-Some OF the
officials OF the administration have been
looking up the subject of indemnities
SO as TO lay the foundation OF case
I'm the event IL should be decided TO re-
sort to that method OF settlement.
While none of the cases shows the fear
full loss of life sustained by the Maine
eplosion, yet they include many in
stances In which the United States has
adopted energetic measures to redress
the killing of American citizens in
foreign countries. In a general way
these methods of redress have included
demSnds for indemnity, proclamations
excluding warships of the offending ma
tions from our harbors. display of force.
non-intercourse, withdrawal of our min
listers. reprisal and blockade. Some, #
these steps border very close on war. al
though they are regarded as the move
ments Just preliminary to actual hos
tilities and as amounting 10 threat that
force will follow IL reparation is not
made.
The case of the Water Witch is con-
sidered to be the most analogous TO
that OF the Maine. should it be estab-
lished that the disaster was not the re-
suit of accident. The Water Witch was
a United States ship engaged in 1855
in surveying the entrance 10 river of
Paraguay. Without warning and by
order of President Lopez OF Paraguay,
troops opened fire on the Water Witch.
killing the man at the helm and wound
ing others. Intense feeling was ar
reused in the United States when The
fact became known. The president re-
ported the facts TO congress and in his
message asked authority to make dem
onstration of force which would ensure
suitable redress. Congress authorized
him TO use such force as is necessary
20 secure amplereparation. Accordingly
an armed fleet was hastily assembled.
The expedition included 10 armed ships,
rs heavy guns. 2500 sailors and marines.
1T made a formidable showing in the
South American waters, and President
Lopez's government was awed at once
into subsection. The American COM
missioners and naval officers were re-
cciyed at Ascension with much honor
end every reparation within the power
of the republic was given. This in
cluded an abject apology, sweeping
disavowal and $4,000 for the sufferers
from the outrage. When the facts
OF the expedition were reported 20 con-
gress. the president stated that the dis
patch OF this feet had had a salutary
influence throughout the world. and had
convinced foreign nations that the
United states would protect the lives of
its citizens with all the force at It's
command.
The case OF the firing on the United
States Chesapeake by the British Leop
ard is another case affecting preceden
as TO the governments mode OF action
The Chesapeake was proceeding TO Sc;
when she was hailed by the commando
OF the Leopard with a demand tha
British dcserters said 10 be In the hol,
Of the Chesapeake, be surrendered
The American commander refused q
comply whereupon the Leopard fira
fred a shot across the bow of the Ches
tpeake and followed this with two broad
sides. The American commander We
severely wounded. three sailors wer
Killed outright and many were wounded
Being unfTepared for action. II being
time Of peace. the American commando
surrendered. Tremendous excitemen
rrevr lied In the United States over a.
OUTRAGE. Presifeht Madison speedily Is
sued n proclamation excluding rsrltls
warshps from American ports lie ais
caused energetic protests and demand
60 b. presented al London. The Brit
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