Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-02-24
MeEIrn Homewnrd. Mnrhe.

Hegira Homeward, Maybe.
The return of molested Greeks to resume
their residence and business in South
Omaha today and plans to test their in
demnity rights against that city are Just
now about the most conspicuous features
in tho situation growing out of the Sunday
riots.
Several prominent Greeks have stated
that their people-many of them at least
would return to their homes today, but IL
is doubted IL the normal number ever will
return to South Omaha. While there is
no popular fear of an immediate revival
of hostilities, the impression is common
that since the packing houses have de-
cided to let out the Greeks gradually they
will not all resume their homes in that city.
AS to the claims for damages against
South Omaha by the Greeks and American
property owners, extreme doubt Is ex-
pressed of their validity. Joel w. West,
an attorney and also one of the damaged
property owners. has spent much time
since the riot investigating this question
and thus far he falls to find warrant in
the statutes OF Nebraska for such proceed
ure. He also doubts that the federal gov
ernment may be held in such action.
As TO the Minister.
In this connection some of the local lead-
ers among the Greeks say they are ad-
vised by their minister at Washington.
L., A. Koro Milas. that he or Nlkolaos
Sallopouios. the consul at Chicago, will
come to Omaha to direct and advise the
Greeks. From the press dispatches OF yes-
terday 1t is inferred that the minister con-
templates redress. even IL he has to ask
Uncle Sam to reimburse his people for
what they lost in South Omaha Sunday
night
The law firm Of Sullivan g. Ralt, COM
posed of former Supreme Justice John J.
Sullivan and James Raft. has been re-
tanned the local legal advisers OF the
Greek community, numbering 1900 persons.
But Mr.. Raft said yesterday they had de-
cided upon no definite action as yet. He
did not know whether civil suits would
be instituted or not.
1t is understood that the owners of prop
erty damaged in the riot are. as originally
stated. still contemplating some sort OF
action I'm the court.
West Cannot Find the Laws.
Joel w. West after looking into the mat
ter of indemnity against the city of South
Omaha says:
Provision is made by statute in a
number of states. where municipalities are
held liable for damages resulting to prop
erty through the action of mobs. But such
law does not apply to Nebraska. 1 also
question whether there is any federal law
that exacts compulsory compensation for
damages to the property of aliens under
such circumstances. particularly as may
apply to Greece. / am not aware of any
treaty between the United States and the
Greek government as would apply to such
circumstances as the South Omaha affair.
In brief do not think that we have any
recourse, whatever, or any ground upon
which to begin a civil suit against the
city Of South Omaha.
II am, however. OF the opinion that u the
newspapers correctly report the addresses
at that mass meeting that these speakers
could be held amenable for damages for
melting the riotous acts and that action
could be brought against them. The case
is analogous to that of the Haymarket
riots in Chicago, where the speakers
through their incendlary talk wrought the
anarchists up to doing what they did.
1.-THE South Omaha affair chould be tho
incentive for the enactment OF a law af-
fixing civil responsibility to municipalities
for damages resulting from riots and mobs
Such a law would not help the property
owners damaged I'm Sundays riots as a law
cannot be made retroactive"
Troops Encourage Them.
The action OF Governor Shallenberger
after visit to South Omaha Monday. in
calling out three companies OF the Ne
braska militia and keeping them assembled
| IN the armories and halls Tuesday seems
to nave had the effect OF encouraging the
Greeks. Many who left South Omaha and
took refuge In Council Bluffs returned
/ Tuesday and went to South Omaha for
| their personal effects.
Before going 10 their former homes how
ever the Greeks visited the armory and
hall az Fifteenth and Dodge streets where
companies were statioLHd. They peered
In at the windows and peeked through
cracks around the doors 90 make sure the
z0ldiers were there and ready for business
Sentries we're making long wet pa lis
across the cement floor OF the armory ana
streaks 81 mud showed they had walked
the halls where the companies were sta
TONED.
last Held the Fort.
Commanding Officers said their instr,e-
tiOns went no farther than that they
should remain In possession and asssmblsa
until further orders Sere received diamIss-
inE them.
Not more than tWenfT-iiFs men % each
company were IN the stations. The Vlxi.
ience ~ ihc sentrics Was well calculatsd
o. impress the orcska Nho la1kss in 10
one sas aiioSea 20 i.sss ths linss Without
an oFaeF from tAs sfficsr n osmmaad