No. 433.
Mr. Hoffman to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
St.
Petersburg, November 3,
1879.
No. 150.]
Sir: Referring to my correspondence with the
department upon the subject of the claim of Mr. Calvocoressi to compensation
for injury done [Page 927] to his property at
San Stefano by the Russian troops, I have the honor to inclose to you
herewith copy of note received from Baron Jomini upon this subject, together
with a translation of the same. In accordance with the instruction contained
in your No. 64, I shall, in a few days, address a note to Baron Jomini
urging Mr. Calvocoressi’s claim as one of equity.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure in No.
150.—Translation.]
Baron Jomini to Mr.
Hoffman.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
October 29, 1879.
Sir: In reply to your note of 29th August,
1879, concerning the claim of the American citizen Calvocoressi, on
account of damage done him by the Russian troops in Turkey, I have the
honor to inform you that according to the principles of international
law, injuries done to private property are excusable when military
operations require it, and that in general, the person who has suffered
from war should consider himself the victim of a scourge of nature, such
as hail, inundation, &c.
International law, besides, recognizes no difference between the state of
things created by war, and the occupation of the enemy’s territory.
Consequently no obligation to indemnify private individuals for losses
occasioned during the war, or the occupation of the enemy’s territory,
can result to the imperial government.
Receive, sir, &c.,
