The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-29
would Not Accept FinanciaI Aid.
WOULD NOT ACCEPT AID.
Nicaraguans Were Opposed to Yield
ing to the British.

WASHINGTON, April 2S-The dispatches
received to-day from London and Costa
Rica throw q good deal of additional light
on the attituae of the administration in
regard to the Nicaraguan incident. 1t is
evident that both the United States and the
Central American republics were anxious
to secure a peaceful settlement of the diff
iculty by the payment of the indemnity
demanded by Great Britain for the expul-
sion of Proconsul Hatch. President Ygle-
sias of the republic of Costa Rica, if the
cable advices are correct, offered to con-
tribute a portion of the money, while the
State Department here, through Embassa-
dor Bayard, at London, arranged for an
4-ax taasian -yaf stWo weeks in. which the
money could be raised If Nicaragua would
agree to settle on this basis. 1t is not
known exactly what representations We're
made to the State Department here by Mic
aragua or Nicaragua'S representative to in
duce Secretary Gresham to cable Mr.. Bay
ard these instructions, but, as the popular
feeling in Nicaragua was all against yield
ing, it is believed the government of Nicar-
aqua concluded, out of Difference to it,
and possibly as means of its own preser-
walton, to stand out in the hope of ulti-
mately inducing. if possible, active inter-
vention of the United States.
1t is said that the State Department has
all along advised Nicaragua that the expul-
sion of Consul Hatch was an offense that
no self-respecting country would overlook,
and prompt reparation was due Great Brit
ain When hampton and Wiltbank, citl-
zens of the United States, were expelled
from Bluefie1ds, last July, for alleged COM
plcity in the very conspiracy to defy Mic
araguan authority in the Misquito coast
in which it was said Consul Hatch was in
volved, the sentiment in this country was
strong. and the State Department took such
vigorous steps that hampton and Wiltoank
were not only permitted to return, but they
were restored to all their rights and prop
erty, and a public ball was given in their
honor. At that time it was believed that
Nicaragua would show the willing
ness to give redress to England that she
did to the United States But by continued
delay matters were allowed to reach the
acute stage. and Great Britain, in accord
ance with the terms of her ultimatum,
seized Corinto to enforce the payment of
the indemnity claimed to be due her.
GRESHAM IS SILENT.
Much interest is manifested in diplomatic
circles on the situation. Secretary Gresham
drove out to Woodley this afternoon and
had q long interview with the President
1t was thought that some official statement
would be made, but on his return the Sec
retary declined to give out anything. The
fact that the United States has been Off
cially advised of the occupation of
corinto by the British is. however, def
nitely ascertained. From recent indications
all the correspondence in the case will be
held by the State Department until the in
cident is closed.
The situation in Nicaragua with regard to
the British occupying Corinto, and that
port declared closed by the Nicaraguan gov
ernment, presents many possible compiica-
tions From the very best information OBJ
tainaIble it seems almost certain that the
administration will not attempt any inter-
ference with the dispute between Nicaragua
and Great Britain as long as the latter
confines itself to the collection of the in
demnity The United States has main
tanned in the past that European powers
could, in their international dealings with
South and Central American countries, con-
duct their dispute in their own way as long
as they did not seek to overthrow existing
governments, set UP monarchies, or pro-
tectorates. or acquire territory Such was
the substance of the notice served by Sec
retary Seward on France and Great Brit
ain with regard to Mexico In 1862.
If the occupancy of Corinto falls in its
object. and Great Britain should declare
war on Nicaragua, it is said the admins
tration would still decline to interfere, so
long as the war was carried on. not for the
aggrandizement of Great Britain or the ac-
quisition of territory. but for the sole pur-
beyond that however, the administration
it is said. would consider violation of the
C1ayton-Bulwer treaty and would not be
tolerated 1T is pointed out that the United
States, to interpose TO prevent England
from carrying out the present method of
declaring a virtual protectorate over Nicar-
aqua, and would commit this government
to a policy with regard to the Central and
South American countries that would keep
her involved In endless broils with Eu-
ropean powers. 1t would give these states
the privilege of resisting just claims of
other countries and taking refuge behind
the skirts OF the United States. In other
words all diplomatic correspondence reIa-
tive to these statefs would practically be
carried on through Washington. Besides.