Republic of Mexico v. Hoffman

324 U.S. 30 (1945)

REPUBLIC OF MEXICO ET AL.

v.

HOFFMAN.

No. 455.

Supreme Court of United States.

Argued January 11, 12, 1945.

Decided February 5, 1945.

CERTIORARI TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT.

Mr. Morris Lavine for petitioners.

Mr. Harold A. Black, with whom Messrs. Farnham P. Griffiths and Allan P. Matthew were on the brief, for respondent.

The question is whether, in the absence of the adoption of any guiding policy by the Executive branch of the government, the federal courts should recognize the immunity from a suit in rem in admiralty of a merchant vessel solely because it…