The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-03-23
THE NICARAGUA AFFAIR
Great Britain's Claim for Indem-
nifty Just One.
UNCLE SAM WILL NOT INTERFERE

Arranging for the Framing ola New Treaty
with Great Britain Concerning Behrins
Sea Seizures Necessity for Action to Pro-
tect the Seals from determination.
WAsHINGToN March 23-The cabinet
meeting yesterday lasted but two hours,
everybody being present except Secretary
Carlisle. who was in New York. The ses-
sion Is said to have boon uneventful, thus
disappointing the expectations of those
who looked for some decided aggressive
action In foreign affairs 1t is also said
that there was an entire absence OF fric-
tion among the members, although tho
principal subjects under discussion, relat-
ing to tho various complications into
which we have become involved with Ger
tain foreign countries were well calcu-
lated to exhibit divergence of individual
views.
1t is presumed that the attitude Of Great
Britain towards Venezuela and Nicaragua
was canvassed, but as far as can be gath
cred the secretary of state has no new mat
ter touching this to impart, and it was not
believed to BIO necessary to take any posi-
tive action in the absence of an explicit
statement of the purposes of Great Britain.
As far as the Nicaraguan matter Is con-
ccrned IL Is not believed that our govern
mcnt Is disposed to take issue with Great
Britain as to her right to demand an in
demnity for the unjust treatment Of her
consular agent and citizens, inasmuch as
the United States has already and repeat
eddy gone on record as insisting on its right
in such cases to secure PREPARATION for i'm
proper treatment of its citizens.
The only point upon which there can be
n question Is MS to the method of collect
ing the indemnity, but there IS reason to
believe that in the view of the cabinet the
subject need cause no real trouble, as
Nicaragua doubtless will agree to meet
reasonable demands from Great Britain
when it is made clear to her by our de-
partment of state that she cannot other
wise rely upon the moral support of the
United States, which might otherwise be
disposed to use its good offices to secure
an abatement Of the amount of the in.
demnity II the principle Of an indemnity
is conceded.
In view Of the more weighty matters
now engaging the attention of the i'd
ministraton it is stated that foreign min
listers in Washington are likely to be, at
least for the present. left undisturbed in
their relations with our government. No
answer, beyond purely prefunctory one
acknowledging the receipt of our COM
municution and promising to make in
vestigation, has been returned to Spain to
our demand in the Alliance affair, and
while under ordinary conditions this might
be resented by our government dis
position was shown by the cabinet to make
all due allowance for the fact that, as a
result Of the overturning of the Spanish
cabinet, the subordinates there dare not
do anything to compromise the incoming
cabinet
l,.at
framing of new treaty between the
United States and Great Britain concern
ing Bchring sea seizures. The negotiations
will be carried on in Washington. Sir
Charles Upper, minister of marine and
fisheries for Canada, and other leading
statesmen of the dominion, including
probably Minister Foster, will come hero
TO cooperate with Sir Julian Pauncefote,
the British ambassador, concerning the
terms of the treaty The question Of fix
ing the date for the meeting Is now under
consideration.
The projected treaty is rendered neces-
sary by the inaction of congress on the
Behring sea seizures claims The original
claims, which, with interest amounted to
$3.50 0O0 were scaled down to S425, 200.
President Cleveland advised payment in
his message to congress, but an amend
mendation was defeated. 1t was then
sought to provide for an international
commission to adjust the terms OF settle-
ment, but this also failed, leaving the
matter still open. The purpose OF the
treaty will be, therefore, to create a com.
mission to hear all the evidence and deter
mine the amount of indemnity to DO paid
the seized sealers After being signed the
treaty will have to be submitted to the
senate for ratification, and unless there Is
an extra session this cannot be accom-
plished before next December.
While it is felt that this is an unfortu-
nate delay in adjusting the claims, yet it
appears to be the only means of advanc-
ing them to an honorable settlement con
sistent with the kindly relations existing
between the United States and Great
Britain.
Another phase Of the scaleries question
which may come up simultaneously with
the adjustment of the claims is the franz
ing of new modus vivendi or other
means OF protecting the seal herds in
Behring sea. Experts appear to agree
that the seals will be extcrminated soon
unless energetic steps aye taken as the
protection afforded by the regulations
agreed on by the Paris court of arbitration
seem to be insufficient.