New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-26
ENGIANU,N BID EAITU.

,rbora seems 70 be a secret understanding be-
,,voen tbc British Foreign Office and the Prcsl-
dent respecting the enforcement OF the indemnity
claim against Nicaragua. The President is
bo,ievcd 10 have assumed the responsibility OF
sanctioning the proposed occupation Of the Gus
tom house by British marines and the SEIZURE OF
Eicorocu1n revenues He is credited with the
oninion that the Monroe Doctrine cannot be ap
nIied TO the collection Of the indemnity when
Great Britain has arbitrarily levicd; ana conSe-
Uuenly that there is nothing in the situation 'a'
iustificS the interference Of the nted states
So easy matter IS it for the British AmoaSsl-
dor 10 make dupcs of President Cleveland and
his Secretary of state. Indeed it is not to be
wondered at that the London press is referring
sarcastically TO Nicaragua as "A martyr To Mon
roosm'' and proclaiming cont"mpinouSly thai
everything is indeed well between us ana the
United States
This Diplomatic controversy may be brl'nN
summarized NJ. Hatch. a consular represent
alive of Great Britain, 10 whom an eA"qua'ur
had never been granted by Nicaragua. was
arrested and imprisoned for participating in
q noltical intrigue in the Mosquito R"Serva-
tion Great Britain demanded fixed sum
rs an indemnity for his Imprisonment. Mica
roruo agreed 10 refer all financial claims
to an arbitration board. Great Britain re-
fused this reasonable proposition ana diNpa'ch"d
= fleet 10 enforce the ultmatum by lanu
ing marines. occupying the custom house ana
SOLVING the customs revenues. The President
Il we are not mislrl 10y the Washington
1isno,ches, considers That Nicaragua is in The
wrong and ought to pay The indemnity and'
moreover, that it would be very dangerous
*
interfere in this matter ana Justify the little re-
uuhllc in refusing 10 meet its obligations ana 10
give ius, satisfaction for wrong committed
against a foreign Power Having received rs
surances that England will not seize N!c1rasnan
territory 10 hold it permanently. the Prcsi-
don't has consented 10 look on ~ an LIE
spectator while Grca, Britain DULLES ana holds
mn q feeble Central American State and violates
Us treaty engagements with the United states
If President Cleveland and Secretary Gresham
had not gone wool cathcring over the Monroe
DoctriDe they would have perceived the direct
hearings Of the Clayton Bulwcr Treaty upon ms
oucs,ion Of the occupation Of ihe custom house OF
Cornto The joint proiectoraie over Inc cahai
* hased mon an agreement that neither Power
will ever erect or maintain any Notifications com
mouding the canal. cor occupy or forify. or colo
"Nicaragua. Costa Rica. the Mosquito coast, or
"onv part Of Central America Now The occu
na,ion OF the custom house and The seizure OF the
customs revenues will be overt acts in direct
violation Of the Clayton-B nwcr Convention. As
has happened many times since the negotiation
of the treaty Great Britain, II the marines are
landed and The domestic administration inter
fcrcd with will BE- guilty Of bad faith. Territory
will be occupied and dominion exercised in Cen
trail America by Il foreign Power; ana mat Is
not only contrary TO the Monroe Doctrine. but II
is also prohibited by the ClaytonBulw Treaty
II the President and Secretary Gresham had
been quick wited they would not have entered
into any diplomatic compact with The BRUSH
Ambassador They would either have assumed
Indifference TO what going on, or else they
would have held Great Britain responsible for the
! consequences and have declined 10 sanction in
advance any aggressive measures. II they had
! taken that line Of action. they would have been
! in a position 10 make the occupation Of tOrlnto
/ the ground Of justification for the abrOgatiOn Of
! the Clavton- Bulwer Convention. Nothing can be
! clearer than the fact that under the convention
! Great Britain has not the right either 10 occupy
! or TO exercise dominion over one foot OF territory
! in Central America. If the marines are landed
and the revenues are seized the treaty, in Sccrc-
tary Frenghuysen's phrase, lis OF course void
able at the pleasure Of the United States" The
abroga alton Of that treaty il the most direct and
practical interest which the Washington Govern
ment can have in any portion Of tropical America.