One of the many difficulties that arise under the Coercion
Act is the application of the statute to foreigners. There is no doubt that foreigners are liable to any law applicable to natives also, but at the same time Englishmen have always remon- strated against the detention, without trial, of Englishmen accused of political offences in foreign countries. The American Government, following that precedent, has remonstrated on behalf of its citizens seized under the Protection Act, and they have, on promising to return to America, usually been re- leased. The Democratic Party, however, is 'exceedingly anxious for the Irish vote, and has, therefore, held meetings to denounce the conduct of Mr. Lowell in not demanding that Irish suspects naturalised in America shall be at once brought to trial, that is, under present circumstances, shall, in defiance of evidence, be acquitted. The movement appears to be rejected by the best men in America, including the Secretary of State; but it adds one more to the many difficulties of departing from recognised legality.
