Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-01
BAYARD THE MAN
de Won the Administration to the
English View.
NEGOTIATIONS In THE NICARAGUA Case
The Ex-Secretary Doing Penance
for the Sackv|Ie Incident.
A CHANGE GGES TED

There Is very strong impression in this
country that the unfortunate course of the
United States in the Corinto matter was
shaped in London by Mr.. Bayard. OF
positive evidence to this effect there is, of
course, at this time none to be produced.
The correspondence that passed between
the State Department and the American
legation in London while the episode was
in its negotiatory stages is withheld from
the public, and Secretary Gresham adds to
this exercise of his authority silence
never more profound. The reasoning.
therefore, which ascribes responsibility to
Mr.. Bayard grows out of his well-known
prediction for Englishmen and English
interests, and some differences. easily
drawn. between him and Secretary
Gresham.
Favored Nicaragua at First.
The case. at the start, appealed. it is be-
lieved, on the Nicaraguan side to the in
terests. if not to the sympathes. Of the
administration. The Monroe doctrine and
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty were at once
brought into evidence. The most natural
thing in the world was for the admn;stra-
ton to want to be entirely clear on both
of those points, as either or both might be
affected by England's threatened demon
stration. 1t is known that both points were
most thoroughly canvassed by competent
authorities. The fact also that Nicaragua,
sister republic, near ne.ghbor. and one
with whom the United States was on the
eve of entering into the clio sest business
bonds on a gigantic scale. was looking here
for succor must have counted for some
thing on this side of the water. Secretary
Gresham, moreover, is not lacking either
in spirit Anne ricanism when left un-
hampered. His ringing dispatch in the
Allianca case proves this. So that every
thing seems to assure that. at the outset,
and for some time afterward, this govern
ment was in sympathy with Nicaragua,
and meditated exercising some influence in
her behalf. 1t was probably at this time
too, that the Nicarasuan government began
to build its hopes of assistance from the
United States, and to shape it's own course
accordingly.
Bayard Called Into the Cuse.
Mr.. Bayard had, necessarily, to be called
iCto the case. The London end was most
important, and the business was put into
his hands. From that time it is believed
the interest felt in administration circles in
Nicaragua's contention began to cool Mr.
Bayard put on pair of English eyeglasses
and read the whole case through them. He
personally and officially backed up the few
of Lord kimberly's statements that were
made public. seemed to give England a
clean bill of health, and won over the'ad-
ministration to policy of pronounced
neutrality. But tnlS chdnSe IN sentiment
here appears not to have been known or
properly noted III Nicaragua. and the little
republic kept her eyes fixed anxiously and
longingly in this direction until the very
arrival of the English ships in the harbor
of Corinto. Then she awoke with start to
the realization that she had been leaning
on a broken reed. But even now she does
not know probably when or by whom the
reed was broken.
CrfticIsm of Bayard.
The criticism of Mr. Bayard. while point
ed, is pitched in no shrill key. He has al
ways commanded a certain respect even
from those who denied him in their esti-
mates any of the sturdier qualities of
craftsmanship. He has culture, figure, de-
pertinent and many engaging social quail
ties. He has likewise certain patriotism
that goes with good position and kindli-
ness But he is thought to be too senti-
mental for the harder uses of public Office.
He is approachable on too many sides by
shrewd men laying and playing foo the
main chance. He lacks the superb and in
dispensable quality of making himself dis
agreeable at the proper time. Lord KIM
berly therefore, 1t Is thought, must have
jumped for joy when he found that his side
of the Nicaraguan controversy was to be
presented to the authorities here through
representative SO complacent and agreea-
Bile, and so predisposed toward England and
her interests. How very well he improved
lis opportunity is attested. it is thought, by
the way the case stands today.
Doing fennnce for the SackviIle In
cident.
A curious suggestion Is offered in expla-
nation of the ultra-English manner in
which Mr.. Bayard has carried himself in
his present office. He has become the great
est eulogist that England can point to out
side of her own subjects. He lauds her
higher even than she lauds herself. and she
is not overmodest on that score. He has
never reished, it is said. the part he was
forced by circumstances to play in the mat
ter of sending Lord Sackville out of this
country in 1SSS. 1t seemed an unfair thing
to do Lord Sackville had been tricked and
hand, the exiSencies of politics demanded
his humiliation. MIR. Cleveland was threat
ened with a heavy loss of votes If the Of
Tending minister was allowed to remain.
Mr.. Bayard, then at the head of the State
Department. could not hesitate, and as
sented to the action taken. But it is said
that he greatly regretted 1t. and thought it
calculated to present the American people
in an unfavorable light in England. Has
Mr.. Bayard since taking up his residence
in England the American ambassador
been doing a sort of sentimental penance
for his part in that nsaction? Has he
by a course so cordial as to be positively
brotherly, and by compliments SO profuse
as to make even the Englishmen them
selves wonder, been trying to blot out all
recollection of that episode? And has he not
overshot the mark in his amiab BILE effort to
be quits that score?
Change Suggested.
There are some very prominent men who
would be glad If change could be effected
which would land Mr. Bayard in Paris and
Mr.. Eustis in London.