The Pugh Claim

In: American journal of international law: AJIL, Volume 28, Issue 1, p. 136-138

Abstract

In June, 1929, James Pugh, an Irish seaman, was arrested in a bar in the city of Colon, Republic of Panama, because of his belligerent attitude toward two policemen and his refusal to pay a bill. On the way to the police station a serious fight occurred, the circumstances of which were in dispute. Pugh died shortly thereafter. The Panamanian judicial investigation of the affair acquitted the two policemen of criminal responsibility for Pugh's death, a result which apparently was not satisfactory to the British Government, for in July, 1930, a formal request was made upon the Government of Panama by the British Government for an indemnity of ®1,000 on behalf of the children of the deceased, based upon the allegation that his death had been caused by unjustified acts of Panamanian policemen in beating him and dissatisfaction with the manner in which the police agents had been tried.