The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-26

feeling was aroused In the United
States when the facts became known.
The president reported the facts to
congress, and in his message asked
authority to make a demonstration OF
force which would ensure suitable re-
dress. In response to this congress au-
thorZed him to use such force as Is
necessary" to secure ample reparation.
Accordingly an armed fleet was hast
lily assembled on a scale which was re-
garded as remarkable for those days.
The expedition included 10 armed ships.
25 heavy guns and $500 sailors and
marines. Accompanying this formid-
able outfit were civilian plenipoten-
tiaries, prepared to make the demands
of this government and then enforce
them by calling on the armed ships.
The expedition made formidable
showing in South American waters,
and President Lopez's government was
awed into complete subsection by its
presence.
The American commissioners and
naval officers were received at AS
cunsion with much honor, and every
reparation within the power Of the
republic was given. This included alb
ject apology, a sweeping disavowal and
$4,000 for the sufferers from the out
rage. AS the republic was willing to
grant full reparation the naval eXpe-
dtion did not exert the force 1t was
prepared to use In case a refusal had
been offered. When the facts of the
expedition were reported to the Amer
lean congress the president stated that
the dispatch OF this formidable naval
fleet had had a salutary influence
throughout the world. and had con-
vinced foreign nations that the United
States would protect the lives Of it's
citizens with all the force at its COM
mand.
The case of the firing on the United
States ship Chesapeake by the British
ship Leopard Is another affording pre-
cedent as to the governments mode Of
action. The Chesapeake was proceed
ing to sea when she was hailed by
the commander of the Leopard with
demand that British deserters said
to be in the hold of the Chesapeake be
surrendered. The American command
err refused to comply, whereupon the
Leopard first fired shot across the
bow of the Chesapeake, and followed
this with two broadsides. The Ameri-
can commander was severely wound
ed, three sailors were killed and many
were wounded. Being unprepared for
action 1t being a time of peace, the
American commander surrendered.
Tremendous excitement prevailed in
the United States over this outrage.
President Madison speedily Issued
n u OF nc A htpnriran
ports all British warships. He also
caused energetic protests and demands
to be presented at London. The Brit
ish authorities promptly disavowed the
action recalled the admiral under
whom the outrage had been perpe-
trated. and without request rendered
indemnity sufficient to support the
wives and families of all those who had
been killed or wounded.
In a later case the American ship
Prometheus was fired upon in the har-
Dor of Greytown. The ship had de-
clined to pay excessive port charges
imposed by the king of the Mosquito
country, then controlling the country
under British protectorate. The king
called on the British warship Express
to sustain his demands, and the Ex-
press promptly sent a broadside into
the Prometheus. There were no per-
sons killed, but the United States made
a prompt demand for reparation. The
British government gave this in the
fullest manner and without question,
disavowing the act and condemnng
the officer of the Express.
Displays of force were resorted to
by the United States in 1852 against
Japan, and in 1858 against Java. In
the case Of Japan American sailors had
been severely handled in Japanese
ports, and the native courts failed to
give adequate redress. A naval expe-
dition was sent to Japanese waters,
and this had the effect of securing the
fullest apology and also an agreement
by which every protection was guar
anteed to American citizens and prop
erty 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 sue
cessful In its purpose.