Evening journal., 1914-04-16
united States HAS
Precedent FOR ACT
CONTINUED from Page Two.l

Ill lUdN utAAanu AOA NHaA aA'ANA 80
injury inflicted upon the property Of
an American corporation near Grey /
.own, Nicaragua. and an insult to
American Minister Borland because
he had assisted an American ship cap
tain IN resisting arrest, Secretary
Dobbin. in June. 1858, sent the United
States steamship Cyane TO GreytoWn
to obtain redress and an apology.
These were refused by the local Of
hcials and Captain Hollins, at the eN-
piration of a time limit Of "a hours,
the town after taking away
in steamer such persoRs as desired
to 90. The bombardment was inter-
An interval of several hours
was allowed between fusillades for an
apology. That was not offered and
landing party burned the town with
out loss of life and then withdrew.
President Pierce. in his annual
message TO Congress December 4,
1854, defended that action from for
eign criticism as being more harsh
than just.
Brazil Demanded Satisfaction.
Another precedent is found In the
case of the salute to the Brazilian
flag, following the seizure Of the Con-
federate cruiser Florida by the United
States warship Wachusett at Bahia,
Brazil. on October Z, 1864.
In a note of December II. 1854
which seems by an understanding be-
tween Secretary Seward and the
Brazilian Legation not 10 have been
formally submitted by the latter until
December q, certain demands we're
presented in connection with the cap
ture of the Florida by the Wachusett
The Wachusett was IN port when on
October 4 the Florida arrived from Ten
eriffe and asked permission 10 obtain
provisions and coal and repair her boil
ers. The American consul opposed her
receiving any hospitality, but the au-
thorities allowed As hours for proNis-
ions and further time for repairs, sub
iect TO an examination by a machinist.
The consul was said TO have given a
pledge for observance of neutrality by
the Wachusett.
At dawn of October Z, however, the
Wachusett left her anchorage and ap-
preached the Florida, firing on her. The
commander of the Brazilian naval divis'
ion interviewed and firing ceased, but
soon afterward il was seen that the
Florida was being towed out TO sea by
the Wachusctt. The Brazilian com
mander pursued. but could not overtake
her and the Florida was brought u
Hampton Roads The consul, who was
implicated in the seizure, LETT ON the
Wachusett
ar-Gun Salute Agreed To.
The Brazilian government demanded
First-A solemn and public declara-
tion by the Government OF the Uniof
that it was surprised blythe unusual ac-
ton of the commander Of the Wachu
sett which it highly rebukes and con
demns. regretting that it should have
occurred.
Second-The immediate dismissal OF
said commander, followed by the com
mencement of proper process.
Third-A salute of 2l guns to b'
| Given in the port of the capital of Bahil
/ by some vessel of war of the Jnite'
/ States, having hoisted at her iasthea'
during such salute the Brazilian flag.
The Brazilian Government also aske'
\ eas repnration. full liberty 10 the crew
and ali individuals who we're on boar
the Florida when she was captured, an'
/ the delivery of the vessel to the gov
ernment of the emperor in one OF 1T
ports.
Lincoln Disavows Act
Secretary Seward on December 20
I 1864. replied that the President dis
/ avowed the proceedings at Bahia ~
/ that he would suspend the commander
] of the Wnchusett and direct him 10 ap
near before a court martial; that ths
consul as he admitted that he advised
and invited the commander. would b,
dismissed. and that the flag of Brazi
uould receive from the United States
navy the honors customary IN the IN
tercourse of friendly maritime powers
This answer. said Mr.. Seward, reste'
/ exclusively on the ground that the cap
l ture of the Florida was an unautnor
ized unlawful and indefensibe eAercis
of the naval force OF the United States
within a foreign country in defiance O
;ts established and duly recognize
government.
In the case of the Virginius' Whic
was seized in 1878 by a Spanish gur
boat. while flying the American ma
and carrying arms of the CUBAN II
surgents. the reparation demanded
the limited States included a salute
the flag. Such a salute was concedt
nv Spain. in case II should be foun
that the Virginius was at tne unle
her seizure entitled to fly the nag
the United States. Subsequently Whe
il was found by the attorney gener'
of the United States that the paper
of the Virginius we're obtained on
false affidavit of American OWNERSHIP
the demand for a salute was droppe
Customs Houses Often Seized.
The seizure of a customs house o
ten has been resorted to as a NEAR
of obtaining satisfaction for d clair
In 1895 British naval forces wei
landed at Corinto, Nicaragua, and o.
cupied a custom house for 10 da,
until an agreement was reached Il
the payment of an indemnity, whe
the forces we're withdrawn. In Is;
France declared a peaceful blockaC
of certain ports in Mexico and Il
Mexican government resenung th
act declared war and expelled FrenC
subjects from its territory.
There have been declarations Of
pacific blockade in history which ha'
not resulted in war. In 1851 the Bri
ish government demanded OF Braz
redress for the plundering Of a Bri
ish vessel off the Brazilian coast al
also satisfaction for what was term'
4 an outrage on three officers OF a Bri
ish man-of-war by Brazilian guar
. When the British demands we're r
! fused the British admiralty institute
a pacific-blockade of the port Of r
4 de Janeiro and seized and detain'
4 FIVE Brazilian vessels as an act
reprisal. The matter was subsequen
A " adjusted bv the payment Of claim