The evening times., 1900-06-27
THE CLAIMS OF ALIENS
Representative De Armond Crfticises
the Foreign Indemnity Bill.

Representative De Almond Criticises
the Foreign Indemnity Bill.
Representative De Almond Of Missouri,
who recently returned to Washington from
Old Point Comfort and the Virginia water
ing places. said in conversation in the
lobby Of lhe yarnum that one Of the most
vicious little bills which ii was sought to
enact at the last session, and to press
which an attempt viii be made at the next
session. was that reported from the Com
mittee on the Judiciary OF the House
latins to claims against the United States
for indemnity by subjects or citizens Of
foreign state.
In behalf OF the bill it is said that at
present there is no method of procedure
under the laws Of the United States open
to any subject or citizen of foreign state
claiming of the United States indemnify for
injury to his person or property under
treaty or under the principles of interna-
tiOnal law. In default of any better meth
cd. claims Of this kind are presented by the
ambassador or minister representing the
Government Of the claimant 10 the Depart
ment Of State. Discussions usually ensue.
had, and ,'Ially. if the State Department
deems # advisable as question OF justice
o. policy to ray the claim. or part there
OF. communication is sent 10 the House
recommending an appropriation for that
purpose. The question must then be eK-
amined and passed upon b. a committee
uE9n tie report Of which action is taken
Jy the House. and afterward the same
course in relation TO il is pursued in the
Senate.
II is also said that at no state Of this
, procedure is there anything like judicial
( investigation OF the facts and circrm-
stances upon which the claim is based
The means Of scrutinizing the evidence aad
determining The facts are unsatisfactory.
I, incomplete. and leave them uncertain For
many years 1t is said Icy advocates Of the
blll that much time and attention of the
Department Of State have been consumed
IA considering, in a disconnected way.
1 claims OF the character provided fJa by
mis- Dill They are Of the opinion the
State Department should be relieved from
such Investigations. and that these claims
IN the first instance. and prior to anal ac-
tion by Congress. should be judieially con-
sidered and decided by the Court Of
Mr.. De Almond said that the principal
argument in support OF the measure is that
I foreigners know nothing about our inter
nal affairs and cannot comprehend our val
ced institutions OF local government
oy means OF the State organizations. anS
ere dissatisfied when told that the au-
thcsities Of whose action or failure 70 act
they complain are operating under State
laws and not under Federal laws 1T
ought 20 be enough 10 say said Nj De
Arnond. IN answer 20 this suggestion.
that we are too well satisfied with our
own institutions 10 think Of changing
them in any manner whatever FOR the ca
sier CT better understanding OF the sub
JecJs or representatives, Of any foreign
king. prince. or pOteutate."
TIE opponents Of the bill contend that II
il should become a law the citizen or sub
Ject Of any foreign state which shall give
our people the right 10 bring suit against
II viii possess rights and remedies against
the United States not possessed by any
citizen Of this Republic. whether native Or
foreign born For instance Two brothers
born abroad. the subjects Of sone foreign
nation. one Of whom had been uaturaIizad
and through naturalization had become ar
American citizen and subject might suffer
equally. at the same time and Uy he same
means. end the one who continues 70 re-
rsnize Queen Victoria OF the Sultan o.
Turkey as mis- sovereign might sue the
United States and obtain a redress % his
grievances. while the unfortunate brother
who had cast OF allegiance 10 tne s-me
( sovereign ard become a citizen OF the
United States would be rtznediiess
II is submitted that an alien Ought no.
10 have any rights IN this country which
are deEied 20 our citizens M5s: ~ the
troubles with the like OF which the 0iu is
meant 20 deal have arisen M De Arronf
said. in the cases Of contract Iabors1s.
brought 10 cur shores in violation of Law
and Of the rights OF American citizen Ia
bOrers- native and foreign born II is con
tended that most OF these contract .aborers
have no notion OF becoming American
( citizens. and that instead OF according TO
them rights and privileges not given 20 the
I American citizen. il would be wiser and
( better 10 deal with their cases as they
I may arise. dealing with each in the light
l Of its own facts and surrOundings.