New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-25
4 CHANCE FOR GOOD DIPLOMACY

The forecasts IF orr Washington bureau re
sDoctInc British aggression in Nicaragua have
been fulfilled President Zclaya has received
notice from the Admiral that neglect 10 pay the
indemnity will he followed by the seizure Of IN"
custom house, at Corinto and the collection OF
duties by British subjects Al the Foreign once
in London It is officially stated that three war
ships are in the harbor Of Cornto for the purpoN"
Of enforcing compliance with the British Ul'i-
nahum Nicaragua is mcnaCcd with m invasion
of lis territory and with armed interference III
its domestic affairs An indemnity which has
been arbitrarily levied * parie by Great HriIin
is to be collected in a high-hlndcd way by officers
Of the fleet. This outrage Is to be committed
after Great Britain has deliberately rejected Il
reasonable offer on The part Of Nicaragua to SUD
nit all financial claims to board Of arbitration
The Cleveland Administration ought 70 hav"
something 10 say about This affair which will be-
worth hearing There have been large promises
Of patriotic action from the State Department.
We shall soon find out whether Secretary Gr'Sh-
am. after having been dupcd by the British Am
bassador viii accept the situation win meek.
ness and docility. or whether h. VIII warn Great
Britain of the consequences Of lis unWarrahiahi'
action In Central America. The most important
consequence should be- immediate notice of I'm"
abrogation Of the Clayton-BulWcr Treaty. The
Joint protectorate over the Nicaragua Canal ought
to be disclaimcd AMI ropuliatcd, II a guard 81
British marines be landed at Corin'o - collect
the revenues Of that port. Tha, VIII b" IN az
.,rcsSive act Of intervention in The domcSN' az
fairs Of Ncaragu Il VIII be direct ana wanion
occupation Of tcrTitoryNand assumption OF Sovcr-
eighty by Great Britain. II VIII be- wholly Ia
compatible with the conditions and requirements
contemplated when the Clayton culver Treaty
was negotiated.
Nicaragua can settle or not, Is Il pleaScs. In"
bill Of damages which England has arbitrarily
and In n bullying way assessed. The United
States is under no obligation 10 declare war
upon Great Britain because arbitration is re-
fused and an indemnity is collected by armed
force. The Cleveland Administration can protest
against the outrage and demonstrate against
deliberate Interference with the territorial rights
of Nicaragua; but il is not called upon 10 meet
menace with menace and 10 Order 4 naval squad
ron 10 Corinto. 1t will have. however, an oppOru-
nity for sagaciOus and vigorous diplomacy. if the
British Foreign Office attempts 10 enforce the
ultimatum il can take immediate measures for
abrogating the Clayton-Bulwcr Treaty on the
ground that England IS not fulfilling but openly
rcpudiating its engagements. The Joint pro
tcctorate over the canal was granted upon the
understanding that England should cease 10 rXer-
else sovereignty or to interfere in domestic affairs
in Central America. The seizure Of the CorintO
custom house will Justify an immediate notice
that the treaty will be repudaicd.
We DO not know whether Secretary Gresham
will have the courage and good sense 10 adopt
this policy. We hope that he VIII tax" this lin"
Of action, instead Of beating diplomatic parl"y
with the British Ambassador or trying 10 pail
Nicaraguan chcsnuts out Of the fire The Clay
ton-Buwcr Treaty never ought 10 have been no
gotiated 1t Is not in accord with the Monroe
Doctrine; 1t IS an almost fatal obstacle 10 the
construction Of the Nicaragua Canal Great
Britain, by employing naval force at Corinio'
may arm the State Department with power L"
repudiate the convention. That Will be great
gain for American diplomacy.