Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-31


demnity was declared unsatisfactory Mic
aragua wanted the demand arbitrated At
this time an understanding was reached
among the five Central American nations
whereby they were to unite for protection
against foreign demands. England, how
ever, acted too promptly for any arrange
ments to be contaminated. April % three
BRUSH war vessels arrived in the harbor
Oh Corlnto, Nicaragua Notice was given
that If within three days the indemnity
was not paid the custom house would be
selZed and the revenues collected by British
officials. Corinto is the chief port of Mica
ragua, and the yearly value of its imports
amounts to over 100000. The people and
government of Nicaragua believed that the
United States would look on England's act
as violation of the Monroe doctrine and
would automatically intervene. But The
British foreign office having explicit
ly assured Washington that Great Britain
would not seek to acquire any part of Mica
ragua's territory, this government did not
make any protest.
1t was held that this government could
ma no warrant for interfering to prevent
Great Britain or any other country from
securing reparation for offense similar
TO that charged against Nicaragua. The
United States, it was asserted. cannot un-
dertake to shoulder every quarrel of the
Spanish American republics. The three
days having elapsed the custom house was
seized and a provisional governor put in
charge OF the town. Great excitement fol-
lowed, but through the good offices of the
united States the British forces We're with
drawn on promise that the indemnity
should be paid in two weeks, Salvador
giving its guarantee. England also agreed
that the commission to assess losses should
be composed satisfactory to Nicaragu qua and
the United States. May the British flag
was hauled down and May is the indemnity
was paid. The incident was important as
demonstrating the position of this country
toward the South and Central American
states in proceedings for PREPARATION of in.
Jurles claimed by foreign powers. The
u"nC No foly
Great Britain demanded 100000 from Vene-
zuela for arrest Of British subjects on the
1urman river, for 1t was held the terri.
tory on which the arrests were made was
IN dispute, and to concede that Great
Britain could demand indemnity for thosA
arrests was to concede that Great Britain
mad right to the disputed territory, a
concession which the United States was
unwilling to make in view of VenezueJa's
claim to the territory.
The Waller Case.
John L. Waller, formerly United States
consul at Tamatave, Madagascar, was con-
Victed in March, on charges of conspiracy
with the Hovas against the French authors
ties, and was sentenced to twenty years
Imprisonment. 1t was claimed by Mr.. WAL
ler's friends that the real cause of his
prosecution was the fact that he had OBJ
tanned valuable concessions from the Afala-
gasy government of which French citi-
zens wished to deprive him. Mr. Waller
was transferred to a French prison. and
Mr.. Eustis, the American amba ssador, was
instructed to look into the case. Startling
stories of ill treatment OF the prisoner were
sent to this country, and great indignation
was aroused. Owing to this feeling he was
transferred to another prison, and his con-
Nicuon was ameliorated. The United
States asked for copy of the record in the
case, but France replied that it would be
ineNpedient to furnish the record. 1t was
intimated that Waller would be released aa
a concession to the friendship of the Unit
cd States if he would relinquish his demand
for indemnity for losses consequent on his
Imprisonment Tie prisoners wife is quoted
as declaring that such conditions would
not be accepted. Meanwhile Mrs Waller
came to Washington and urged the GOVERN
ment to greater activity in her husbands
behalf,and great pressure has been brought
TO bear on the administration for vigorous
action.
Manitoba School Question.
The discussion which has ragged through
out Canada for the past year over the
question whether the Catholic schools
should be restored in Manitoba has been
the most serious one in the history Of the
confederation, and has even threatened the
existence of the union. The federal au-
thority has been opposed to the provincial
administration of Manitoba, and neither
side has shown any disposition to recede.
1t is question that should be of great in
terest to a citizen of the United States, for
1t involves in some degree the principle OF
state as against federal rights. Each prov.
fnce, according to the Canadian constitu-
ton. has the right to legislate on its own
educational system, but certain safeguards
for the minority are maintained. An ep-
peal can be made to the governor general
in council from any act of provincial leg
islature affecting any right or privilege of
the minority in the matter of education.
When Manitoba entered the Dominion in
$50, its constitution accepted the provi-
sions of the British North American act,
with its safeguards for the minority. Up
to 1890 Catholics and Professionals We're
given equal rights in school matters But
in that year. the Protestants having in
creased to 1320o0, while the Catholics were
but 10000, law was passed abolishing the
separate Protestant and Catholic schools.
and bringing all under one system with one
set of books.
The Catholics held that this was an in
fringement of their rights and privileges,
and maintained a right 10 appeal. The To-
cal courts disputed the right. and from
court to court the matter went until JAM
uary % of the present year the imperial
privy council decided in the affirmative. 1t
became the duty of the Dominion govern
ment then to decide whether a remedial
order should be issued, and what it should
be. 1t was decided that the order should
be issued that the Catholics should be re-
stored to their rights. The Manitoba legis-
lature was unwilling TO meet the issue, and
adjourned without action. In the mean
time the Canadian parliament met, and eX-
cltemeNt over the question was at ltS
height. The premier fntimated that 1t
was for Manitoba to decide what should
be done, and he fervently expressed the
hope that The province would settle the
question. Manitoba's reply was in the
form of memorial. in which it was asked
that no hasty steps be taken. The provin-
cial government declined to alter its school
law, and entered upon a demonstration to
show the superiority of the present system
over the former. There was a bitter de-
bate in the Manitoba legislature. but the
memorial passed by % to 10. On July the
Dominion ministry declared Its policy to be
that of non-interference during the ses-
sion. 1t was hoped that Manitoba would
be able to agree upon g compromise, and 1t
was decided to invite the Greenway gov
eminent of that province TO do what 1t
might be prepared to do in the way of set
thing the question. A serious crisis
imminent in the Dominion government, and
it was decided to wait. 1t was promised
that positive steps would be taken at the
session beginning next month if Manitoba
had then done nothing. Manitoba, mean
while, has plainly indicated that she will
not yield.
The INicl Canal Opening.
The completion Of the ship canal con-
l.,