Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the President, December 2, 1872, Part II, Volume II

No. 1.—Penal code.

[undated.]

Código penal reformado conforme al texto official, con notas y observaciones, por D. Vicente Hernandez de la Eua, (Madrid, 1866,) pp. 110, 111, 113.

Art. 148. Èl que, con actos no autorizados competentemente, provocare ó diere motivo a una declaracion de guerra contra España por parte de otra potencia ó expusieré à los Españoles á experimentar vejaciones ó represalias en sus personas ó en sus bienes, será castigado con la pena de prision mayor, y, si fuere empleado público, con la de reclusion temporal.

[442] Art. 151. Él que, sin autorizacion legitima, levantare tropas en el reino para el servicio de una potencia extranjera, ó destinare buques al corso, cualquiera que sea el objeto que se proponga ó la nacion ó que intente hostilizar, sera *castigado con las penas de prision mayor y multa 500 á 5,000 duros.

Art. 156. El delito de pirateria cometido contra Españoles, ó subditos de otra nacion que no se halle en guerra con España, será castigado con la pena de cadena temporal, en su grado máximo á la de muerte.

EI código penal, concordado y comentado por Hon Joaquin Francisco Pacheco, tomo 11, pp. 91, 92, 96, 97, (Madrid, 1870.)

Art. 148. “Él que, con actos no autorizados competentemente, provocare ó diere motivo á una declaracion de guerra contra España por parte de otra potencia, ó expusiere á los Españoles á experimentar vejaciones ó represalias en sus personas ó en sus bienes, será castigado con la pena de prision mayor, y, si fuere empleado público, con la de reclusion temporal.”

Cód. esp. de 1822.

[443] Art. 258. Él que, sin conocitniento influgo ni autorizacion del gobierno, cometiere hostilidades contra los subditos cle alguna potencia aliada ó neutral, ó expusieré al estado por esta causa ó sufrir una declaracion de guerra, ó á que se hagan represalias contra Españoles, será condehado á dar satisfaccion pública, y á reclusion ó prision de dos á seis años, y pagará una multa igual á *la cuarta parte del valor de los daños que hubiere eausado; todo sin perjuicio de cualquiera otra pena que m erezca por la violeneia cometida. Si por efecto de dichas hostilidades resultare immediatamente ó hubiere resultado al tiempo del juicio una declaration de guerra, será castigado el reo con la pena de deportacion.

Comentario.

1. No es comun en el siglo XIX que se declaren guerras por provocaciones particulares pero si pueden dar éstas motivo á reclamaciones muy fundadas, que se conviertan en represalias. Caso de desatenderse hé aquí, pués, la aplicacion práctica del artículo; aquí como puede haber lugar á esa prision mayor ó á esa reclusion que se indican.

2. Estos castigos son indudablementejustos. Quien expone á su patria, quien expone á sus conciudadanos á los azares de una reclamacion de tal genero, de las represalias que pueden ser consiguientes aun de las hostilidades que no son imposibles, merece sin duda una ejemplar y severa correccion. Seria el colmo del escandalo que sus compatricios ó el estado sufriesen las consecuencias de su mala obra, y que él riese entre tanto presenciandolas en quietud y seguridad.

[444] *Art. 151. “Él que, sin autorizacion legitima, levantare tropas en el reino para el servicio de una potencia extrangera, ó destinare buques al corso, cualquiera que sea el objeto que se proponga ó la nacion á que intente hostilizar, será castigado con las pen as de prision mayor y multa de 500 á 5,000 duros.”

Comentario.

1. Hé aquí dos acciones: la de alistar tropas para servicio extranjero y la de destinar buques al corso, tambien en provecho de una causa extranjera, que la lei podia autorizar ó reprimir, segun los principios que le pluguiesen. De hecho, la conciencia humana no señala estos actos como criminales, y la mayor parte de los códigos nada dicen acerca de ellos. No habia una necesidad de constituirlos en delito; no la habia de imponerles las penas aquí señaladas, ni aún, en rigor, ningunas otras.

2. [445] Sin embargo, comprendemos, y lo que es mas, aprobamos el sistema de nuestra ley. Parecenos bien que los Españoles no tengan esa facultad que disfrutan los habitantes de algunos otros pueblos, de armar y alistar reclutas, para ponerlos al servicio de una potencia extraña; de destinar buques al corso, para servir los intereses de esas mismas potencias. Es la guerra de por sí una *cosa bastante grave, y pueden comprometer mucho á la patria los armamentos que en ésta se ejecuten, para que nos parezca bien que pueda cualquier in dividuo arrojarse á verificarlos sin autorizacion. La ley no debe querer que derramen su sangre los Españoles, si no por causas que pueda y deba aceptar España; la ley no debe querer, no debe permitir, que se maquiue abiertamente de ese modo contra naciones ó pueblos que no nos ban dado motivo alguno de queja. Hay siempre algo de mercenario y de poco caballeroso en esas levas de gente, á la que nos conduce ninguna idea patriótica, sino el solo interes de la ganancia. Bueno es que la ley corrija los malos y depravados instintos que quieran hacerse cundir en la nacion; bueno es que conserve el decoro de nuestro nombre, y las tradiciones de nuestra castellan a fé.

Art. 156. “El delito de pirateria cometido contra Españoles, ó súbditos de otra nacion que no se halle en guerra con España, será castigado con la pena de cadena temporal, en su grado maximo á muerte.”

Comentario.

1. [416] La pirateria es de por sí un crimen tan bajo como feroz. Él es robo, él es latrocinio del bandolero, mas en mayor escala y con todo *el aumento de males y de peligros que trae naturalmente el elemento donde se emprende y ejecuta. La depredation es su principal objeto, pero las violencias de toda especie, y la muerte misma, son su acompañamiento necesario; el cañon y el abordaje, indispensables medios de su obra; los desiertos del mar, teatro de sus proezas, nos indican bien todo lo que en ese ejercicio debe baber de bárbaro,de desalmado, de horroroso.

2. Como el oceano no pertenece á nacion alguna, todas las naciones se han creido con derecho paracastigar este crimen,qué á todos beria y alcanzaba. Todas le ban castigado. Unas le ban escrito en sus códigos con su propio nombre; otras le han aplicado las penas generales de las muertes, de las violencias, de los robos que le constituyen. Pero en ninguna parte se ha mirado con indulgencia ni con indiferencia á esos bandidos y ladrones del agua, que, sin otra ley que su gusto, sin otra autoridad que la de su propio poder, han recorrido saquando, violando, destruyendo, el naturalmente pacífico espacio de los mares. Donde quiera, la conciencia humana ha inspirado y aprobado su castigo.

3. [447] El artículo 156 de nuestro código, adoptando esta universal costumbre, ha señalado una pena general al delito de piratería, donde quiera *que se cometiera. Sin embargo, no ha sido tan absoluto al designar las personas contra las cuales se ha de haber cometido. No ha dicho, por cierto, que cualesquiera que sean estas, será del mismo modo criminosa y punible la accion. Le ha limitado ó decla-rado tal cuando ha recaido en Españoles, ó en súbditos de una potencia que no se halle en guerra con España. Cuando la piratería se ha ejercido en daño de extranjeros que son, ó que eran enterices? enemigos nuestros, la ley ha callado, y no ha querido reconocer como delito semejante accion, Los motivos de esto son evidentes: no hemos de ir nosotros á asegurar los mares en provecho de nuestros enemigos; no hemos de ir á castigar los males y perjuicios que hubieran causado otros semejantes; seria una demasiaday contradictoria bondad el dispensaries proteccion contra quienes desempehaban casi nuestro propio papel.

[448] *Apéndice á los eomentarios del código penal de Bon Joaquin Francisco Pacheco ó sea el nuevo código, comentadas las adiciones que contiene per Don José Gonzague y Serrano, (Madrid, 1870,) p. 110.

Artículo 147. “Él que, con actos ilegales, ó que no estén autorizados competentemente, provocare ó diere motivo á una declaracion de guerra contra España por parte de otra potencia ó expusiere á los Españoles à experimentar vejaciones ó represalias en sus personas ó en sus bienes, será castigado con la pena de reclusion temporal, si fuere funcionario del estado, y no siendolo, con la de prision.

“Si la guerra no llegare á declararse, ni á tener efecto las vejaciones ó represalias, se impondrán las penas respectivas en el grado inmediamente inferior.”

Artículo 150. “Él que, sin autorizacion bastante, levantare tropas en el reino para el servicio de una potencia extraujera, cualquiera que sea el objeto que se proponga ó la nacion á quien intente hostilizar, sera castigado con las penas de prision mayor y multa de 5,000 á 50,000 pesetas.

“Él que, sin autorizacion bastante, destinare buques al corso, será castigado con las penas de reclusion temporal y multa de 2,500 á 25,000 pesetas.

[449] Elementos del derecho civil y penal de España, precedidos de una reseña historica de la legislacion es*pañola, per los doctores D. Pedro Gomez de la Serna y D. Juan Manuel Montalban, (Madrid, 1871,) tomo 3, pp. 241, 242. (Page 241.)

Art. 14. Él que, con actos ilegales, ó que no estén autorizados competentemente, provocare ó diere motivo á una declaracion de guerra contra España por parte de oto potencia ó expusiere á los Españoles á experimentar vejaciones ó represalias en sus personas ó en sus bienes, en cuyos casos estarán comprendidos los que invadieren un pais extraño y cometieren en él actos de violencia así como tambien los que ultrajaren á un enviado extranjero, será castigado con la pena de reclusion temporal, si fuere funcionario del estado, y no siendolo, con la prision mayor.

Si la guerra no llegare a declararse, ni á tener efecto los vejaciones ó represalias, se impodran las penas respectivas en el grado inmediatamente inferior.

Art. 150. Él que, sin autorizacion bastante, levantare tropas en el reino para el servicio de una potencia extranjera, cualquiera que sea el objeto que se proponga ó la nacion á quiere intente hostiliza, será castigado con las penas de prision mayor y multa de 5,000 á 50,000 pesetas.

[450] Él que, sin autorizacion bastante, destinare al corso, será castigado con las penas de reclusion temporal y multa de 2,500 á 25,000 pesetas. Tolerar el le*vantamiento de fuerza en un pais en favor de determinada potencia, puede ser ya un acto de hostilidad mas ó menos abierta contra otra. El delito de levantar tropas para insurrection en el reino no esta comprendido en esta disposition, pues corresponde á la categoria de los que se cometen contra la seguridad interior.

CAPÍTULO IV, (pp. 246, 247.)

Art. 155. El delito de pirateria cometido contra Españoles, ó súbditos de otra nacion que no se balle en guerra con España, será castigado con la pena de cadena temporal ó cadena perpetua.

Cuando el delito se cometiere contra súbditos no beligerantes de otra nacion que se balle en guerra con España, será castigado con la pena de presidio mayor.

[451] Este delito, comprendido ántes en el capitalo anterior, es uno de los mas odiosos que pueden cometerse, pues ataca la seguridad de las personas, paraliza la navigation y entorpece las transacciones mercantiles. Los lugares mismos en que se ejecuta le bacen mas alarm ante y terrible. Y es de advertir que no tiene seiialada pena cuando se comete contra los extranjeros que se hallan en guerra con España; limitation que todas las legislaciones ban adoptado, y que se funda en el principio de ser licito hostilizar al enemigo por tierra y por mar, no solo con ejércitos regulares sino con fuerzas capitaneadas por particulares, para cuyo *efecto se expiden en el último caso las patentes en corso. El código reformado ha hecho una aclaracion, cual es la de que piratería constituye delito y por él se impone una grave pena, cuando se dirige contra sùbclitos no beligerantes; mas el corso autorizado en debida forma es licito tambien contra estos, y no debe confandirse con la piratería.

[Translation.]

Amended penal statute congruent to the official text, with notes and observations, by Don Vicente Hernandez de la Rua, (Madrid, 1866,) pp. 110, 111, 112.

Art. 148 “Whoever shall, without having been permitted to do so by competent authority, have provoked or given motive to a declaration of war against Spain on the part of another power, or have exposed Spanish subjects to suffer vexations or reprisals against their persons or their properties, he shall be punished with imprisonment; and if such person be a public functionary, he shall be punished with temporary reclusion.”

[452] Art. 151. Whosoever shall, without legitimate authority, raise troops within the kingdom for the ser*vice of any foreign power, or shall fit out privateers, whatever may be his object or the nation against which he intends to commit hostilities, he shall be punished with imprisonment, and fined from five hundred to five thousand duros.

Art. 156. “The crime of piracy committed against Spaniards, or against subjects of another nation which is not at war with Spain, shall be punished with the maximum of temporary irons or with capital punishment.”

The penal statute co-ordinated and commented by Don Joaquin Francisco Pacheco, vol. 2, pp. 91, 92, 96, 97, Madrid, 1870.

Art. 148. “Whosoever shall, without having been permitted to do so by competent authority, have provoked or given motive to a declaration of war against Spain on the part of another power, or shall have exposed Spanish subjects to suffer vexations or reprisals against their persons or properties, he shall be punished with imprisonment; and if such person be a public functionary, he shall be punished with temporary reclusion.”—Spanish statute of 1822.

[453] Art. 258. “Whosoever shall, without the knowledge, authority, or permission of the government, have committed hostilities against any allied or neutral power, or shall have exposed the state to suffer for that cause a declaration *of war, or if such hostilities shall have been the ground for reprisals against Spaniards, he shall be condemned to give public satisfaction for such offense, and to reclusion or imprisonment for a term of from two to six years, and shall pay a fine equal to one-quarter of the amount of damages he shall have occasioned, without prejudice to any further punishment which he may be liable to incur for the violence committed. If said hostilities shall have brought on an immediate declaration of war, or if such declaration shall have preceded the time of the trial, the offender shall be punished with transportation.”

Commentary.

1. It does not commonly happen in the nineteenth century that wars are declared on account of private provocations; but such provocations may be the grounds for justified claims, which, in case of misunderstanding, may cause reprisals. This is a case for the practical application of the article, and of the imprisonment or reclusion which it provides.

2. [454] The above penalties are undoubtedly justifiable, for whoever exposes his country and his fellow-citizens to the dangers of such claims to the reprisals which may be the consequence thereof, or to the hostilities which it is not impossible may follow, is no doubt deserving o severe and exemplary punishment. It would be most scandalous that his fellow-citizens or *the State should suffer the consequences of his misconduct, while he should make a jest of it and quietly and safely witness the result.

Art. 151. “Whosoever shall, without legitimate authority, raise troops within the kingdom for the service of any foreign power or shall fit out privateers, whatever may be his object or whatsoever the nation against which he intends to commit hostilities, he shall be punished with imprisonment and fined from 500 to 5,000 duros.”

Commentary.

1st. This article provides against two distinct acts: that of enlisting troops for a foreign service and that of fitting out privateers with the object also of giving assistance to a foreign cause. The law may authorize or prohibit such acts, as is thought best. In fact human conscience does not point out these acts as being criminal, and most statutes do not mention them in any way. It was not necessary to look upon such acts as an offense, nor to punish them by the penalties fixed in this article, or indeed by any other penalty.

2d. [455] Nevertheless we understand the system of our law and approve thereof. We deem it proper that Spaniards should not have the liberty, which is enjoyed by the inhabitants of some other places, to arm and enlist recruits for entering the service of a foreign power, nor to fit out privateers to the same purpose. War is in itself a fact of too serious a character, and such armaments may too greatly endanger *the safety of the country, that we should think it fit or justifiable for any person whatsoever to embark in such an enterprise without being duly authorized to do so. The law must not allow Spanish blood to be shed, except for causes such as Spain can and ought to defend. The law must not allow nor permit such open plots against nations or countries which have not given this nation any ground for complaint. There is always something mercenary and anti-chivalrous about these levies of men which does not admit of any patriotic feeling, except the mere love of lucre. It is good that the law should correct the bad and depraved instincts which individuals may attempt to propagate through the nation, and it is well that it should uphold the honor of our name and the traditions of our Castilian faith.

Art. 156. “The crime of piracy committed against Spaniards, or against subjects of another nation which is not at arms with Spain, shall be punished with the maximum of temporary imprisonment or with capital punishment.”

Commentary.

1. [456] Piracy is in itself a crime as base as it is cruel. It is the robbery and theft of the freebooter, only practiced on a larger scale, with all the increased evils and dangers which are the natural result of the element where it is practiced and carried on. Depredation is its principal object, *but violence of every description and murder itself are its necessary attendants. Gannon and cutlasses are its indispensable means of action. The deserts of the seas, which are the scenes of its deeds, might easily demonstrate how barbarous, profligate, and shocking is its practic.

2. As the ocean does not belong to any particular nation, all nations have considered themselves as entitled to punish that crime which injured and reached each one of them. All have alike punished it. Some have provided against it in their statutes, and called it by its proper name; others have punished it with the general penalties denounced against murder, violence, and robbery, which constitute piracy. But nowhere has the law looked with indulgence or indifference upon these banditti and robbers of the waters, who, with no other law than their own good pleasure, and with no other authority than their own power, have overrun the naturally peaceful seas, ransacking, violating, and destroying on their way. Throughout the world, human conscience has inspired and approved their punishment.

3. [457] Article 156 of our statute, in adopting this universal custom, has denounced one general penalty against the crime of piracy, wherever it may be committed. It is true the provisions of our law have not been of a so absolute character with re*gard to the persons against whom the crime may have been committed, and it has not provided that, whosoever these persons may be, the act shall be equally criminal and equally liable to punishment. It has limited its provisions to the case when the crime shall have been committed against Spaniards or subjects of a power which is not at war with Spain.

The law is silent for the case where piracy has been committed to the injury of foreigners who are, or were at the time, our enemies, and such acts it has not deemed proper to consider a crime. The grounds thereof are obvious. We are not bound to secure the seas for the profit of our enemies. We are not bound to punish the harm and injury they may have experienced from other enemies; it would be too great and too contradictory a kindness to deal out protection to them against those who, as it were, are performing our part.

[458] *Appendix to the commentaries of Don Joaquin Francisco Pacheco on the penal statute, or new statute, with commentaries on the additions thereto, by Don Jose Gonzales and Serrano, (Madrid, 1870, p. 10.)

Art. 147. “Whosoever shall, by unlawful acts, or without having been permitted to do so by competent authority, have provoked or given motive to a declaration of war against Spain on the part of another power, or shall have exposed Spanish subjects to suffer exactions or reprisals against their persons or their properties, he shall be punished with temporary reclusion, if he be a functionary of the state, and if he be not such, with imprisonment.”

“If the war be not declared, and if the vexations or reprisals be not carried into effect, the respective penalties shall be of the degree immediately below.”

Art. 150. “Whosoever shall, without sufficient authority, have levied troops within the kingdom for the service of any foreign power, whatever may be his object or the nation against which he intends to commit hostilities, he shall be punished with imprisonment and fined from 5,000 to 50,000 pesetas.”

“Whoever shall, without sufficient authority, have fitted out privateers, he shall be punished with temporary reclusion and fined from 2,500 to 25,000 pesetas.”

[459] *Elements of the penal and civil right of Spain, preceded by a historical notice on the Spanish legislation, by the Doctors Don Pedro Gomez de la Serna and Don Juan Manuel Montalban, (Madrid, 1871, vol. 3, pp. 241, 242, 246, page 241.)

Art. 147. “Whosoever shall, by unlawful acts, or without having been permitted to do so by competent authority, have provoked or given notice to a declaration of war against Spain on the part of another power, or shall have exposed Spanish subjects to suffer vexations or reprisals against their persons or their properties, by which acts shall be understood whoever shall have invaded a foreign country and shall have committed therein acts of violence, and also whoever shall have insulted a foreign ambassador, he shall be punished with temporary reclusion, if he be a functionary of the state, and if he be not such, with imprisonment.”

“If the war be not declared, and if the vexations or reprisals be not carried into effect, the respective penalties shall be of the degree immediately below.”

[460] Art. 154. “Whosoever shall, without sufficient authority, have levied troops within the kingdom for the service of any foreign power, whatever may be his object or the nation against which he intends to commit hostilities, he shall be punished with imprisonment and fined from *500 to 50,000 pesetas.”

“If any person whosoever shall, without sufficient authority, have fitted out privateers, he shall be punished with temporary reclusion and fined from 2,500 to 25,000 pesetas.”

Permitting the levying of an armed force in a country for the benefit of some power may be in itself an act of more or less open hostility toward another nation. The crime of levying troops for exciting an insurrection within the kingdom is not embraced in this provision, because it is considered as being a crime committed against the domestic safety of the country.

Chapter IV, (pp. 246, 247.)

Art. 155. “The crime of piracy committed against Spaniards, or against the subjects of another nation which is not at war with Spain, shall be punished with temporary or perpetual irons.”

“When the crime shall have been committed against non-belligerent subjects of a nation at war with Spain, the penalty shall be the galleys.”

[461] This offense, which was formerly forbidden under the preceding chapter, is one of the most odious which can be committed; it endangers the safety of private persons, stops the maritime intercourse and all mercantile transactions. The very place where the offense is committed makes it still more alarming and fearful. It is to be noticed that there is no penalty denounced against the offense *when committed for the injury of foreigners at war with Spain. The statutes of all countries have adopted this restriction, on the principle that it is not unlawful to cripple an enemy on land and on the seas, not only by means of regular armies, but also by means of forces commanded by private persons, to whom letters of marque have been issued. The amended statute considers piracy as being a crime, and denounces against it a severe penalty, when committed against non-belligerent subjects; but duly authorized privateering is lawful, if against belligerents, and is not to be mistaken for piracy.