Joseph McKenna

“ It is not possible to hold that the proclamation of the President was intended to supersede the laws of war, and attach to every appropriation by the military officers conducting operations of war the obligations and remedies of contracts. ”

“ During said period said wharves were not used exclusively by the United States, but commercial steamers were permitted to land there, and they were used by the merchants of the city of Santiago when such use did not interfere with the handling of government stores. It does not appear that claimants received any compensation from commercial steamers or merchants of the city for such use during said period. ”