The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-02
SOME ASPECTS OF THE NICARAGUA

graphs that paper that he has had an
interview with leading statesman Of
Nicaragua in which the NicaragIan said
"Our government has received Official
a1yices from Washington by which We
gather that the Americans have turned
their back upon us and refuse 10 succor
us IN the hour OF trial
The English have at least pluck In
their favor They have the insolence 70
defy through us the entire American con-
tintnt while the United states can never
Justify their weakness Of action, which
will remain a blot upon their history
Week and small as our nation IS. we
have shown more courage than the United
states. who encouraged us, only 80 desert
US at the last moment"
That discloses the whole inspiration
Of the conduct Of Nicaragua and Of the
other Central and South American coun-
tries which are continually kicking up
their heels in the face OF the countries
Of Europe. They have heard that Presi-
dent Monroe announced lorg ago that
this country proposed 10 take them all
under its wing and fight their battles
for them. they have heard further that
the idea was popular one in the United
states. they were encouraged 10 think
this when Mr Blaine was Secretary OF
state and they have accordingly felt
free TO treat the citizens of European
nations just as they pleased. This is
why Nicaragua maltreated Mr.. Hatch,
the British Consul there. and other Brit
ish citizens II Mr. Blaine were sttl
Secretary OF state Nicaragua would pos
sibly not receive the lesson she is now
getting. and it is entirely probable that
Mr. Blaine would have involved Us In
war with Great Britain. in an effort TO
prevent Great Britain from pursuing the
course she is now taking, that she was
compelled 10 pursue or TO abandon her
position as a self-respecting power, that
will secure justice for its citizens when
ever they are treated with injustice.
Nicaragua has an area Of 1850 square
miles. and. according TO the census Of
1916. Of a total population Of 10000. but
10000 are whites. 1000 negroes. 10000 half
castles. ard 10000 pure-blooded Indians.
In December. 1888. according TO the esti-
mate OF the Bureau of American Repub-
lies. the population was somewhat great
or. being 312,S45. but the burden Of gov
eminent still rested upon very narrow
basis The standing army numbered loo
men. with 500 in the militia and reserve
force The total revenues I'm the last
named year were $3,sl4li0, expenditures
$o2i,602 In 1880 the imports were
worth S2,78S, 40, of which amount about
one third were from England, one-ffth
from the United States and smaller pro-
portions from France and Germany.
Now this is the country for which It
was proposed for this nation to engage
in the most gigantic war ever known
that it may shield it from the conse-
quences of pilaging and insulting innO-
cent people who happen 10 get within
its power. 1t may be said that we have
a great stake TO protect in our interest
I'm the canal. That is true and We Will
protect that stake when 1t is menaced
But no threat of injury to our interest
in the canal is made when England de-
mands that Nicaragua shall atone for
wanton injuries inflicted by her upon
British subjects
TIE English press have, without eXcep-
ton as far as we know, treated this
case from the soundest and most conser-
vative standpoint. and in a spirit as
friendly as possible 10 this country.
though II has. with one voice, refused
to admit that there is any Monroe doc
trine" that imposes any obligations upon
Great Britain.
The Pall-Mal Gazette says of it that
| Great Britaln's entire object is to teach
the little Spanish American republic man
ncrs. and not TO harm her. The Globe
calls attention 10 the OF cra-boufe aspect
OF the affair the intrusion Of the Mon
roe doctrine. which, 1t says, accentuates
| it's ludicrous features. That doctrine,
says the Globe never had any convincing
or binding effect upon anybody except
Monroe himself, and is not now, If it
ever has been, an axiom in international
law. II condemns the bonbastic utter
ances Of certain irrepressiblo American
journals. and expresses qualification that,
in spite Of them, there is no desire on
| the part Of the United states TO quarrel
with England over that presumed prohib-
itory doctrine.
The ST. James Gazette says: Seeing
that American and British interests in
! South America are Identical, and that
| England has no intention Of making
conquests anywhere OH the American con-
unont, there is no ground for American
/ Jealousy. 1t is merely the desire of both
parties to conduct their trade peacefully.
ana both happen to be hampercd by the
az srchy prevalent IN Spanish-Amonca.
| England is disposed 10 accept the co-ope-
ration of the United States 10 correct
this II the latter is inclined 10 act in
concert. Alliance in this direction would
be welcome.
| 1t then declares that Great Britain has
taken the proper and only possible ac-
ton in the premises against an insight
hoant, impudent, insolvent, arrogant, and
ansrchical little South American republic.
| The basis Of the trouble in this case, as
IN others. IL says. seems 10 be that these
barbarian governments rely upon the
| United States for protection: otherwise
they would behave themselves. And the
Monroe doctrine II adds. has been the
reg upon which they have hung their
alsurdities OF speech and action The
idea that they seek to convey is that the