Omaha daily bee., 1895-03-29
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The text of the British uitimatum to
Nicaragua puts n somewhat different
aspect on the matter from that which
was given 1t by the first reports. These
carried the impression that the attitude
assumed by the British government
was essentially harsh and arbitrary, in
keeping with it's general policy regard
ing weaker nations, but q candid read
ing of the ultimatum will necessitate Il
modification, at least, of this judgment
1t appears as to Hatch. the British
pro-consul, who was expelled from Blue
fields by the Nicaraguan authorities
that he had previously been recognized
by those authorities as consular rep
resentative of Great Britain and his
services in that capacity made use of by
them, so that in sending him out of the
country there was q deliberate affront
to the British government, which it was
bound in self-respcct to take notice of
1t may be q debatable question as to
whether or not the indemnity de-
manded, $4,000, is too severe, but this
Is matter that must be left for set
tlement by the two countries. 1t is
quite probable that the financial con-
dition of Nicaragua was not unconsid-
cred, and that were the British govern
ment dealing with q country having a
more plethoric treasury than Nicaragua
| it would have demanded larger sum.
| 1t is very likely that the amount asked
| will well repay the British subjects for
| the indignity and injury they suffered
| ut the hands of the Nicaraguan authori-
| ties, but in affairs of this kind there can
| hardly be an exact calculation of dam
| ages. The offending government must
expect to pay literally for the wrong it
does.
| The condition in connection with the
proposed commission, that the jurist
| member shall not be Il citizen of any
| American state, is regarded as an
affront to this country. and so it seems
| to be. but it can hardly be held to be
such an affront as our government may
properly take notice of. Knowing the
close relations of the United States
| with Nicaragua and the sentiment of
our people respecting European de-
| mands upon American countries, the
| British government may quite naturally
| feel that it's interests in an issue of
this kind could be more safely en-
| trusted to the arbitration of European
| than an American. Undoubtedly there
are hundreds of jurists in the United
! States who would pass upon this issue
with absolute impartiality, but no rea-
| sonable fault can be found with the
British government for not taking this
view. In case the jurist member of
the commission cannot be agreed upon
by the two governments he is to be
| appointed by the president of the Swiss
republic, which ought to be an entirely
| satisfactory arrangement.
| 1t is not apparent that there is any
thing in the British ultimatum to which
the United States can seriously object
| or which would warrant our govern,
ment in interposing. So long as the
British government will give assurance,
rs it Is understood to have done, that
1t does not intend to violate the terri
| tory of Nicaragua or to contravene the
well known policy of this country in
| respect of the treatment of American
states by European powers. the contro-
versy is one in which the United States
is not called upon to take any part.