New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-26
METHODS OF REDRESS.
WHAT MAY BE DONE If THE MAINE DIS.
ASTER WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT.
WASHINGTON OFFICIALS STUDYING THE PRICE,,
DENTs-vIGoRoUs MEASURES TAKEN By

DENTS-vIGoROUs MEASURES TAKEN By
THIS GOVERNMENT IN THE PAST
Washington, Feb 25.-Since so much depends
on the report Of the Maine Court " Inquiry. II
may be interesting to note that Secretary Long
himself does not know when 70 expect this
important document. having heard nothing from
any " the members on this point. He rather
expected that the court would finish its work at
Havana before leaving that port. so as to avoid
the necessity for n return trip One member
OF the Cabinet had a definite opinion
the subject. expecting the report about the mid
die Of next week
There is reason 20 believe that TO prepare for
the reception OF a report that would show the
disaster not 10 be the result Of an accident some
OF the officials of the Administration have been
looking up the subject OF indemnlties so as to
lay the foundation for a case should II be de-
cided to resort to that method OF settlement
There are large number OF precedents which
VII! aid the authorities IN shaping their action
In this direction when the facts are fully es-
taolished. While none ot the cases show tho
fearful loss Of life caused by the Maine ex-
plosion. yet they include many Instances IN
which the United States had adopted energetic
measures TO redress the killing OF American
citizens in foreign countries In general way
these methods of redress have Included demands
for indemnity, proclamations excluding the war;
ships OF the offending nation from he United
states harbors display Of force non-intercourse.
withdrawal % the Minister. reprisal and block
ade Some Of these steps border closely on war.
although they regarded as movements Just
preliminary TO actual hostilitles and as amount
Ing 10 threat that force will follow II repara-
ton is not made
THE CASE OF THE WATER WITCH
The case OF the Water Witch is considered 10 bs
the nearly analogous TO that Of the Maine.
should II be established that the Maine dis
aster not the result OF accident The Water
Witch was United States ship engaged in 1873
in surveying the entrance to one OF the rivers
OF Paraguay. Without warning. and by orders
OF President Lopez OF Paraguay. force of
troops opened fire on the Water Witch, killing
the man al the helm and wounding others In
tense feeling was aroused in the United states
when the facts became known. The President
reported the facts 10 Congress and In his Mes
sage asked authority 20 make demonstration
OF force which would insure suitable redress.
In response Congress authorized him TO "uso
such force as is necessary" to secure ample
reparation. Accordingly armed feet
hastily assembled on scale which was re-
garded as remarkable for those days. The
pedition included nineteen ships twenty-five
heavy guns and two thousand Ave hundred
sailors and marines. Accompanying this feet
were civilian plenipotentiares prepared 10 pre-
sent the demands Of this Government and en-
force them by calling on the feet. The exped,-
ton made a formidable showing in South Ameri-
can waters. and President Lopezs Government
was awed into complete subjection by It's pres
ence The American Commissioners and naval
! officers were received at Asuncion With much
! honor and every reparation within the power
| OF the republic was given. This included an
bject apology. sweeping dsavowal. and Slo.-
OOO for the sufferers from the outrage. AS the
republic was willing to grant full reparation,
the naval expedition did not exert the force II
was prepared to use in case Of a refusal
When the facts Of the expedition were re-
ported TO Congress- the President said that the
dispatch Of this formidable naval feet had had
salutarv influence throughout the world. and
had convinced foreign nations that the United
States would protect the lives ot its citizens
with all the force at It's command.
THE CHESAPEAKE AND THE LEOPARD.
The case of the firing on the United States
ship Chesapeake by the British ship Leopard
is another case afording precedent as TO the
Governuent's mode Of action. The Chesapeake
was proceeding to sea when she hailed by
that British deserters said to be in the hold OF
the Chesapeake be surrendered. The American
commander refused to comply. whereupon thu
leonard first fired shot across the bow OF tho
Chesapeake and followed this with two broad
sides The American commander was severely
wounded three sailors were killed outright and
many were wounded Being unprepared for
action. It being time OF peace. the American
commander hauled down his eolors and sur
rendered. -.
tremendous excitement prevailed in the
United States over this outrage. Presicsnt
Madison speedily issued proclamation exclud-
ING an British warships from American. ports.
He also caused energetic protests and demanos
to be presented at London Tne british au-
,horities promptly disavOWed the acton. re-
called the Admiral under whom the outrage
had been perpetrated and without request ten
dered an indemnity sufficient 10 support the
wives and families Of those who had peen
killed and wounded. .,
In a la er case the American ship Prometheus
WIS fired on in the harhor Of Greytown. The
ship had declined to pay eNcesslve por, s cnarses
imposed by the King Of the Mosquito terrltory'
then controlling the country uhder ,.isn BriIsn
nrotectorate The King called on the britisn
,rarship Express 70 sustain his demands, ana
the Express promptly sent a broadside INTO the
Prometheus. No one was killed put @ .ne o,,,csa ,,
states made a prompt demand Tor repatat,,,on:
The British Government gave this IN the tuiiest
manner and without question. dlsaVo"lhs eh'
act and condemnng the commander oi '"e IA
press. -. y, ,b. T-nttAd
states in 1852 against Japan and IN 800
agafrs- lava In the former case American
ssiIors had been severely handled IN japanese
ports and the native courts failed - give ade.
ruafe redress naval expedition was sent
~ Japanese waters. and this had the eHect OK
socyTirp the fullest apology and also an agree
ment by which every protection was suatan'esn
70 American citizens and property IN japan IN
tho latter case large naval force was sent to
Tho waters OF Java 10 demand that the native
rial courts should give the fullest protection
80 Americans The expedition successful
IN its purpose and all the desired assurances
we're given.
tfr-RRYING WORK AT FORT MONROE.
THE NOTIFICATIONS BEING PUT ~ READINESS
FOR AN EMERGENCY.