June 10: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
ON THIS DAY IN 1894, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “WASHINGTON, D.C., JUNE 9 — The action of Captain Thomas of the United States steamship Bennington in affording asylum aboard his vessel to Salvadorean refugees at La Libertad is giving officials here much concern. Today Secretary Gresham and Secretary Herbert, after talking over the matter themselves, went to the White House to lay the facts before the President and advise with him as to whether Captain Thomas’ conduct shall be approved, or whether he shall be instructed to put the refugees ashore exposed to the tender mercy of the exultant revolutionists. It is believed that it is high time that this question of the right of asylum shall be definitely settled so far as the United States is concerned, in order that naval commanders, as well as United States diplomatic officers, may know just how far they can proceed safely. The practice heretofore has varied. In Chile, United States Minister Egan took a notably strong stand in affording asylum to the adherents of the ill-fated Balmaceda administration, while in Rio Admiral Benham exactly reversed this position. A strong precedent for Captain Thomas’ action is afforded by the conduct of Admiral Jouett about ten years ago, in the case of revolution in Colombia, when the entire American fleet was used to shelter refugees, men, women and children, whose lives were endangered when Colon was burned.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1905, the Eagle reported, “Mayor [George] McClellan has issued orders that the flags shall fly from the City Hall on Wednesday, June 14, in observance of Flag Day, the 125th anniversary of the adoption of the flag of the United States, and Superintendent of Schools Maxwell has requested of all public schools the devoting of part of the opening exercises of the day shall have reference to the flag and the respect and honor due it.”