Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-30
PRESS COMMENTS.
The Story Of a Great Diplomatic victory.
On. Y. SUM-

On. Y. SUM-
1t is reported from Washington that
the department of state is deeply con-
cerned about England's peremptory de-
mand upon Nicaragua, and is 'anxiously
awaiting a statement from Abassador
Bayard explaining the purposes of Great
Britain.
Now, it is one of the most extraordinary
facts of recent diplomacy that Ambassa-
dor Bayard long ago sent to Washington
statement explaining the purposes of
Great Britain in regard to this matter.
The only trouble was that the Importance
of the explanation of Great Britain's in
tentions was utterly overlooked both by
the ambassador when he sent it, and by
Secretary Gresham when he received it.
The story OF the simplicity exhibited by
both Mr.. Bayard and Mr.. Gresham Is
almost pathetic. 1t would verge on the
ludicrous if the possible consequences
were not so tremendous
A few days before last Thanksgiving
day, and just after our ambassadors re-
turn to London from his visits to this
country during the political campaign,
Lord Kimberley sent for Mr.. Bayard and
lOlu SAesSpAy NdStu was gums w -A>'F
pen four months later as between Eng
lard and Nicaragua The ambassador
heard accurately his lordship's statement
of England's intentions, and reported the
same faithfully to Mr. Gresham. The
record of the conversation at the foreign
office is contained in the despatch dated
Nov "a, 1894, and numbered 1913 in the
published documents relating to the Blue
fields affair. The only thing lacking, as
we have remarked was a perception on
the part either of Mr.. Bayard or of MIR.
Gresham, of the relative importance and
practical bearings of the two communlca-
lions, which Lord Kimberley then saw tit
to make with an absolute frankness which
was the height of diplomatic finesse.
Prince Bismarck once remarked that
when he wanted to be deepest and dark
est, he told the exact truth to his adver-
sary
The two statements of purpose which
Lord Kimberley made to Mr. Bayard on
that occasion were these: First. that
England had no intention to insist further
upon her farcical claim to jurisdiction on
the Mosquito coast, and ''no other wish
than to act in accord and with the ap-
prevail of the United States in matters
concerning political control in Central
America and secondly, that England
intended to press her demand upon Mica
ragua for damages "arising out of the
rough treatment Of Mr. Hatch" as pro-
ceeding wholly unconnected with any
political or conventional question touch
ing the Mosquito reservation, but simply
on the grounds of international law, to
obtain satisfaction for an atfront. -
Mr.. Bayard's ears heard both state
ments, but his mind seems to have dwell
exclusively on the former. so Great
Britain was actually willing at last tc
renounce her pretensions of dominion III
Central America, the inveterate source OF
trouble and anxiety to so many successive
American administrations One great
cause of contention between England and
the United States for the past half cen
fury was thus easily and suddenly re-
moved There was no further danger
that Great Britain would attempt to
play in Nicaragua, with reference to the
interoceanic waterway of the future, the
role she had so boldly and successfully
maintained in Egypt for the sake of the
control of the Suez Canal.
That great danger was now removed,
and he, Mr.. Bayard, had somehow accom-
plished it's removal, he hardly knew how.
But Lord Kimberley was truthful gen
tleman, and he, Mr.. Bayard, could not
doubt the evidence of his own senses
Tears of joy and pride must have gathered
in the kind, if not very penetrating eyes
of our respected ambassador, as he listened
to the frank, friendly words of Lord
Kimberley. He must have murmured to
himself while politely receiving Grea1
Britain's surrel der: at is the mild pow
er that cures, after all. Can it be my
general attitude and bearing since Mr.
Cleveland sent me to London that has &C
what neither Webster MOI
Marcy, neither Buchanan nor Dallas, nor
even Lowell nor Phelps, ever succeeded in
bringing. about? Or can it be specifi
cally that recent speech of mine in Dover,
wherein / certified to the good charactt r
of the British nobility and gentry, their
freedom from profanity and other vicious
habits, and their invariable custom of be-
the day with domestic prayers?
At any rate, the thing is done, and tn
Canal is for all time safe fr, IN
British aggression and interfe 'ence.
The mysterious but not the less delight
full achievement of unassuming American
diplomacy was Immediately communi-
Gated to the department of state, and Mr..
Gresham Immediately blew the horn Of
diplomatic triumph and communicated to
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