The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-20
GREAT BRITAIN AND NICARAGUA.


The latest news regarding the contro-
versy between Great Britain and Mica
ragua is important. To understand the
present situation and it's elements of
danger, let us recapitulate little. The
British ultimatum demanded a cash In
demnity of $4,000 as reparation for the
expulsion of MIR. Hatch the British con-
sular agent. and the appointment of
commission to arbitrate the amount of
damage done to the persons and prop
erty of British subjects expelled from
the Mosquito reservation about the same
time. The ultimatum was delivered to
the Nicaraguan minister in London by
the British Secretary of Foreign AT
fairs on the 18th of February last, and
transmitted by him to his home govern
ment by mail. The first heard of it in
this country was by wire from Mana
qua. the capital of Nicaragua, March is,
and the dispatch stated that the British
government demanded that the ultimat-
UNI should be complied with within
seven weeks from Feb. IS, the date of it's
delivery to the Nicaraguan minister in
London. After little delay Nicaragua,
on the 18th inst, replied to the ultimatum
with proposition to refer to arbitration
not only the question of damages to the
property of British subjects. but also
that of indemnity. The seven weeks
from Feb. 26 within which the British
government demanded compliance with
it's ultimatum. expired on the 10Th inst.
The latest information which comes from
London is that Great Britain declines
on her ultimatum. This decision was
wired by the British Secretary of For
eign Affairs directly to the Foreign Min
lister of Nicaragua, at Managua, in the
following terms
/ have had the honor to receive your
note was delivered to Senior Barrios on the
18th of February with the request that
copy be forwarded to your Excellency by
ment cannot be responsible for the delay
in your receiving it. Your counter-proposal
be accepted Her Majesty's government
cannot admit there is any doubt to the
rights of the British subjects and must adj
here to the demands in my previous note.
There was no mistaking the temper Of
this note. 1t was curt and peremptory
1t conveys an implied censure on the
Nicaraguan minister at London for de-
lay in forwarding the ultimatum and on
the Nicaraguan government for not ac-
cepting it's terms Internationally. The
announcement of Great Britain's inten-
ton to adhere to the demands of my
previous note leaves no doubt of her
position.
The question now arises, what will she
do, and how will she go about it? Will
she give Nicaragua another chance to
comply with her ultimatum, or will she
take a new tack and proceed at once to
forcible measures? 1t is evident she in
tends to exact the full amount of the in
demnity demanded, and to enforce it's
payment by any means necessary to this
end.
1t was stated a few days ago that the
United States had entered a protest
against Great Britain's trying to enforce
compliance with her demands by the
bombardment of Greytown. This is not
credible for two reasons: First-Such a
protest by the United States would have
been an impertinent interference in a
controversy to which she is in no sense
a party; and second. Greytown was
bombarded once by United States war
vessel for much slighter cause than
Great Britain's claim affords
1t is not likely that Great Britain will
lombard Greytown, but it is highly prob
able that she will take some vigorous
action to enforce compliance with her
demands. She may undertake to land
marines and sailors to seize the custom
houses and other government buildings,
or she may attempt to appropriate a
slice of Nicaraguan soil either in liquida-
ton of or as security for her claim. The
first would come very near justifying the
active Intervention of the United States,
and the second would without doubt.
Meanwhile, it adds to the interest of the
situation to know that six United States
war vessels are at Colon, within a days
sail of Greytown. This is said by the
authorities of the Navy Department to
be due to accident, but it may prove OPP
perfume.