Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-28
GREAT BRITAIN,s DEMAND.
How Lord Kimberly States England's
Claims Upon Nicaragua.

How Lord Kimberly States Englands
Claims Upon Nicaragua.
The British side Of its controversy with
the government of Nicaragua over the
troubles on the Mosquito reserve in August
last is shown in communication from
Lord Kimberly to Senior Barrios, the Mic
araguan commissioner. He reviews all he
circumstances connected with the arrest of
Mr.. Hatch. British pro-consul, and certain
other British subjects in August, who, he
said, were imprisoned and expelled from
Nicaragua, not only without any form of
trial. but without any communication to
them of the charges against them, so as
to afford them an opportunity OF absolviug
themselves"
In his statement Lord Kimberly observes
that although Mr.. Hatch was not, strictly
speaking, an officer in her majesty's con-
sular service, 1t might have been expected
that the Nicaraguan authorities in the Re-
serve, who carried on correspondence
with him, and made use of his service in
consular capacity whenever and so long
as it suited their convenience to do so.
would, as matter of ordinary courtesy,
have communicated with her majestys
government before reSorting to so extreme
measure as the arrest of that gentleman.
With regard to the con-
duct of Mr.. Hatch, her majesty's govern
ment are satisfied from the reports of her
majesty's naval officers that it was per-
fectiy correct during the time that he act
ed as British pro-consuf."
The British Position.
In closing his review of the case, Lord
Kimberly states the British position as
follows:
Il have orly to request that you will.
without delay inform the Nicaraguan gov
eminent that her majesty's government
cannot admit that any adequate or reliable
evidence has been produced to justify the
arbitrary and violent action taken against
the queens subjects.
They hold the Nicaraguan government
responsible for those proceedings, and they
must require them to pay the sum Of f15,-
0a0 on account of their action in arresting,
imprisoning and expelling those British
ally the DEGREES of exile issued against
them, and to agree to the constitution of
a commission to assess the losses sustained
by them in'their property or goods in the
REESE rye, owing to the action Of the Mica
raglan authorities. Such commission to
be composed of British representative, a
Nfcaraguan representative. and jurist.
rot citizen OF any American state, to be
selected by agreement between the Mica
raglan government and the government
Of her majesty; and. falling In such agree
ment. by the president Of the Swiss repub-
lie. The finding Of the commission to be
by a majority, and the awards to be final,
and to be paid within three months of the
conclusion Of their labors.
other Cases.
Besides the cases of British subjects. ar
rested in the Mosquito Reserve to which
have referred, there are those Of others
who have suffered at the hands Of the Mica
raguan authorities, namely: Arthur e.
Sykes of Sheffield England. who had been
working for a year in the Mosquito Re
serve as an engineer. and was serving in
the capacity on board the tug Buena Ven
tura, when. on the night of July 30. he
was forced, at the point Of the bayonet, by
Nicaraguan soldiers. to get up steam and
take party Of them down the river to
the Bluetieid Bluff. and was. on arrival
there, fortunately released by the captain
of the United States ship Marbiehead.
mt. Josehua E. Gayle. Jamaican. set
year 1894 was beaten with the fiat of
sword for refusing to perform military
service. and then made to serve
There is further the unwarrantable SELF
ure of the British schooner Angela by the
governor of Corn Island, and the deten-
ton of her owner and crew.
For these outrages her majestys govern
ment must also have satisfaction, and they
require that the sum of $500 be paid as in
demnity.
I'm previous letters which have address
ed to you, 1 have explained that her ma
jesty's government are not prepared to
discuss any question with regard to the
treaty of Managua and the recent proceed
ings in the Mosquito Reserve, until this
matter of arrest and Imprisonment of Brit
ish subjects had been disposed of. In order
to avoid any misunderstanding on the sub
ject, 1 think it right to inform you that
to this determination her majesty's gov
eminent intend to adhere; but SO soon as
the demands which 1 have made in my
present note have been satisfied. 1 shall be
prepared to receive and consider in friend
ly spirit any representations on those ques-
lions which the Nicarasuan government
may desire to make to her majesty's gov
eminent"