Home Missionary Society Claim (PIL)

HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY CLAIM CLAIM (US vs. Britain)

Facts: The collection of a tax newly n ewly imposed by Great Britain on the natives o f Sierra Leone known as the “hut tax was the si!nal fir as serious and widespread revolt in the "onietta district# $n the course of rebellion% all &S' (issions were attacked% and either destroyed or dama!ed% and some of the missionaries were murdered# &S contents that British Government is responsible for the revolt since it wholly failed to take  proper steps for the maintenance of order and the protection of life and property% property% and that the loss of life and dama!e to property p roperty is the result of such ne!lect# $ssue: )hether or not revolt is attributable to the British Government# *eld: +ven assumin! that the “hut tax was the effective cause of the native rebellion% it was in itself a fiscal measure to which British Government was perfectly entitled to exercise# $t is well established principle of international law that no !overnment can be held responsible for the act of rebellious bodies of men committed in violation of its authority% where it is itself !uilty of no breach of !ood faith% or of no ne!li!ence in suppressin! insurrection#