The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-03
GERMAN CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES.

The announcement from Berlin that the
German merchants of Iloilo will file large
claims against the United States for dam
ages sustained by the bombardment of that
city is not surprising. Such claims. like
war indemnities. one Of the outgrowths
OF modern warfare. The commerce OF the
world has become so widely distributed and
trade relations so complicated that it is
scarcely possible for two nations 10 engage
In war without In some way mourning liabil-
tiles TO the citizens or subjects of other ma
tons. The United States will be fortunate
II 1t does not have TO contend with large
number of such claims growing out of its
occupation Of Cuba. Those that are just
and well founded will. of course, be paid.
but, rich and generous as the United States
Is. other nations will find that In matters of
business 1t knows it's rights and will stand
upon them 1t will not be cajoled nor
bluffed into paying any claims except such
as are founded in justice, sustained by the
law of nations and supported by good evil
dence. Events of the last year have shown
that the United States is not beaten in
diplomacy any easier than in war.
In the case of the German claims the dis
patch says that when the German consul
at Iloilo and number Of German mer-
chants presented the claims TO General Otis
for the destruction or injury of German
property during the bombardment. ne re-
piled that the United States would not pay
them because Iloio at the time of the bonn
bardment was still in possession of the
Spaniards. General Otis's action or decision
in the matter is not final. but his reply
shows that he had a correct view, In a gen.
eral way. of the rule OF international law
that governs such claims In a war be-
tween two nations either may attack or
lombard city of the other without in
curing any liability to the citizens or SUBJ
jects of other nations domicilea or do
ing business in the city attacked. AS a
matter of courtesy and humanity it is GUS
tomary TO give previous notice of in
tended bombardment in order that women
and non-combatants may remove to a place
of safety. but even this is not required. and
it does not affect the question of liability
for property. anyway. The German mer-
chants were in Iloilo at their own risk. The
war between the united states ana spain
had ended. but the city was still held by
the Spanards. 1t is $50 miles from Manila
and without cable communication. When
the American expedition reached the place
it was occupied by the Spanish and be-
sieged by the insurgents, and the Germans
were cultivating friendly relations with both
and trying to make all the trouble they
could for the United States. If they had
recognized the ownership Of the United
States In the islands and placed themselves
under American protection they would have
been all right, but having elected to re-
main in the city and take their chances
with the enemies of the United States they
have no just claim for the destruction of
their property. No doubt the claims will
be presented and payment Of them urged
by the German government They will fur
nish material for considerable diplomatic
correspondence. but they will not be paid.