The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1917-03-16
PL.OMATIC CRISES
Breaking off Relations Does Not
Always Spell War.
WE HAVE HAD MANY CLASHES.

Brought Us to the Very Verge of
Hostiities, but the Quarrel Was Am
icably Settled--Our Break With Italy.
Several times before our break with
Germany this country severed diplo-
matte relations with foreign powers
without war as a result. We had
number of diplomatic crises with
France, and we also broke with Vene-
zuela, Nicaragua, Mexico and Italy, yet
hostilities in each case were averted
During President Madison's admin
istration American commerce had suf-
fered severely from the enforcement of
the Berlin and Milan DEGREES, issued
by Napoleon. and when peace was
finally declared in Europe In 1915 this
government at once sought monetary
compensation for the damages done its
citizens. While the French government
readily admitted the Justice of the
claim, it seemed In no hurry to pay 1t,
and the negotiations dragged along un-
til President Jackson referred to the
subject with unusual harshness In his
first annual message to congress.
This action resulted in a treaty be-
tween the two nations, binding tie
French government to pay to the Unit
ed States the sum of $5000,000 in six
annual installments. But the payments
were not made, and this moved Presi-
dent Jackson to send another fiery
message to congress, which put France
in rage and resulted in the ministers
of both countries being recalled. Pres
ident Jackson then abruptly demanded
the payment of the money.
The reply of the French government
in turn enraged this country. 1--WE
will pay the money" wrote the French
foreign minister, when the govern
ment of the United States is ready on
its part to declare to us, by address
ing its claim to us officially in writing,
that it regrets the misunderstanding
which has arisen between the two
countries, that this misunderstanding
is founded upon mistake and that 1T
never entered into its intention to call
In question the good faith of the
French government nor to take a men
acing attitude toward France. IL the
United States does not give this as
surance we shall be obliged to think
that this misunderstanding is not the
result of an error"
The excitement in this country and
France soon approached that frenzy
which precedes war, and the presi-
dents message contained nothing to
allay it.
War preparations were made with
frantic energy, a large French squad
ron appeared in the vicinity of the
West Indies, and in congress John
Quincy Adams made a speech so thrill
Ing in its eloquence that when the
venerable orator resumed his seat "the
very walls shook with the laundering
applause he had awakened" But that
was all. A few weeks later Presi-
dent Jackson Informed congress that
he had accepted the offer of Great
Britain to act as mediator in the dis
pute, with the proviso that the apology
demanded by the French government
was out OF the question, and in May,
1885, the entire incident was brought
to an appropriate conclusion by France
paying the money due of its own ac-
cord without awaiting for the action
Of the arbitrator. Lewis Cass then
went to France az minister plenipoten-
tiary, and King Louis Philippe showed
the true affection he felt for the Unit
q q l1rr fr,ff 80
President Andrew Jackson to be hung
In the palace of the Tuileries.
Our diplomatic relations with Italy
were severed during President Benja-
min Harrisons term.
Members OF the Malta, an Italian Sc
cret society, had perpeuated series of
murders in New Orleans. The activity
of Chief of Police David c. Hennessey
drew upon him the enmity of the con-
spirators, and he was murdered
The jury acquitted six of the nine
who had been arrested in connection
with the conspiracy and disagreed as
to the other three. A mob then stormed
the Jail and lynched those who had
been acquitted. along with some others
suspected
Italy demanded reparation and the
punishment of those guilty of being
implicated in the hangings. Our gov
ernment expressed regret, but ex-
planned that the state in which the
crimes were committed had jurisdic-
tion and Washington could not guar
antee to punish those accused of tax
Ing part in the lynching.
That did not suit Italy, Baron Faya,
the Italian minister, was recalled, and
diplomatic relations between this coun-
try and Italy were severed After the
first heat of resentment had passed ne
gotiations We're resumed, and we set
tied by the payment Of $4,000 In
demnity to the families of the victims
and expressing our regret to the Ital-
ian government.
The Iron Glove.
A refinement of cruelty is the torture
Of the iron Glove as it Is called