The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-06

rights of our citizens should be observed
British Interests Assumed.
Upon the withdrawal OF the British
agent from Pretoria the United States
consul was authorized. upon the request
OF the British government and with the
assent of the South African and Orange
Free State governments. to exercise the
customary good offices OF q neutral for
the care of British interests. In the dis
charge of this function I am happy 70
say that abundant opportunity has been
afforded 10 show the impartiaIity OF This
government toward both combatauts.
ITALY
LYNCHING AT TALLULAH. GA.
State Shields the Offenders.
For the fourth time in the present de-
cade the question has arisen with the
government of Italy in regard 10 lynch
ing of Italian subjects. The attest Of
these deplorable events occurred at Talu-
Ian. Louisiana. whereby five unfo ,-unaJes
OF italian origin were taken from $ail and
hanged. The authorities Ct the state AID
q representative Of the italian GOV ern-
ment have carefully investigated the oc-
curreuce, with discrepant results. particu-
larly as to the alleged citizenship Of the
victims.
Federal Investigation in Progress
II not appearing that the state had
been able 10 discover and punish the vio-
lators Of the law, an independent inves-
tigation has been set on foot through the
agency OF the department of state, and
Is still in progress. The result will en-
able the executive TO treat the Question
with the government of Italy ir spirit
Of fairness and Justice. a satisfactory
solution will doubtless be reache ].
OF SUCH LYNCHINGs IN GENERAL.
Congress Should Empower Federal
Courts.
The recurrence OF these distressing
manifestations OF BIND mob fury direct
ed at dependents or natives If a foreign
country suggests that the continency has
arisen for action by congress in the d.
rection OF conferring upon the federal
courts jurisdiction in this class Of inter
national coses, where the ultimate re-
sponsibilities OF the federal government
may be involved.
Harrison Suggested This Remedy.
The suggestion is not new. In his an
nuaI message Of December 9. 1891, my
predecessor, President Harrison, said:
1T would, believe, be entirely compe-
tent for congress TO make odenses
against the treaty rights OF foreigners
douiciled in the United States cos-Eza-
bic in the federal courts This has not,
however been done. and the federal offic-
ers and courts have no power in such
cases to intervene either for the protec-
ton Of a forei gn citizen of for the pun
ishrnent Of his slayers. II seems to me
TO follow, in this state Of the aw, that
the officers Of the state charged with po-
Ice and judicial powers in such cases
must. In the consideration Of information
al questions growing out Of such Incl
dents, be regarded as federal agents as
to make this government answerable for
their acts in cases where ii would be
answerable If the United States had used
its constitutional power 70 define and
punish crimes against treaty rights
Bill introduced in 1892 Failed.
A bill to provide for the punishment Of
violations Of treaty rights Of aliens was
introduced in the senate March !. 1880,
and reported favorably March 90 Hav-
ing doubtless in view the language Of
that part Of Article III. OF the treaty OF
February IS. 1871, between the United
States and italy which stipulates that
1.-The citizens of each OF the high con
tracing parties shall receive, In the
states and territories Of the other, most
constant protection and security for their
persons and property. and shall enjoy In
this respect the same rights and priv
1eres. as are or shall Be granted 70 the
natives. on their submz ting themselves
70 the conditions imposed upon the na-
tives." The blH 50 introduced provided
that ANY act committed in any state OF
territory OF the United States in viola
ton Of the rights Of q citizen Or s1fo5sct
Of foreign country secured 20 such clti-
zen or subject by treaty between the
United states and such foreign country
ac4 constituting a crime against The laws
az The state OF territory shall constitute
a crime arainSf the United STATES aDd be
cornizabIe in the federal courts" No &C
ton was taken by congress IN the mat
ter
Subject Should be Taken ID Anew
I earnestly recommend that the sub
iect be taken up anew AMI acted upon
d1-irE the present session The neces-
sirr for some such provision soTDdaatlT
ap7ears. Precedent for constituting a
fe.era, Jurisdiction IN criminal cases
whore aliens are sufferers IS rationaily
3af.f,ei5e from the existing ssztute which
gives 10 .he district ard circuit courts Z
n. I-nstei States jurss3sction q civil
susts brought b. aliens where the a-n5uat
involved exceeds q certain sum II such
5ea-ccs soIicitu5e be shown f1r allen
r-ats il cases q rue-ely civil and -
c1nlary import. how nuch greater saouid
t-e the pubic duty 70 take cognizance q
matters affecting ths lives and the rights
C = e-s under the settled principles o.
international laE. no less taaa uudeT
treaty stipulation ir. cases O saca fran-
szersssnt vrrozz-i5.nE IS u1o mz-ler.
ans especially when experience has
shown that Iocal Justice = toso oftsa h@i7-
less % punish ;hs oHeDsss.
NATURALIZATION AGREEMENT
sfte- many years x e-dezvor ~. tae
par 81 tbs government - taz- ead- -
T-zIfar esvz~n-e1t has crsase8tsd - 80
t=r stfta aa-r-l1-s1as ~ a usatsrzffzzsia1
convention. having for ore q its objects
49, rrg-fIa-s7. = Ire z-ztzs % Isz4aas
sescs7t those O. 81 aga ~ ae-1Te ull-
t.ry ss7v4ce} 40 having besn nazur7al-