New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-24
MONROE DOCTRINE STILL ALIVE
IT'S BEARING ON THE PRESENT CONTROVERSY
uErWEEN ENGLAND AND NICARAGUA

ITS BEARING ON THE PRESENT CON1iON hItSf
BETWEEN ENGLAND AND NICARAGUA
Uaebincton April % (speciaD-The feeling Of
.ocitude in regard 10 the probable outcome Of the
controversy between Gree: Britain and Nicaragua
&c by no means confined % the diplomatic rep
resentatves Of the SpanisE-Arncrican republics. In
response 70 inquiries by q Tribune correspondent
to-day Democrat of National reputation. whose
knowledge Of diplomatic history and precedents. as
well As Of international law is recognized by every
body as entitled to great weight and the highest
respect, said:
"The situation in Nicaragua is one that ought TO
command the vigllant attention not only OF the
Administration but OF every intelligent and patriotic
American | cannot believe that It is the purpose
OF Great Britain TO attempt TO collect by forclbe
means a claim against Nicaragua on account OF
alleged injuries damages TO BrItlsh SUBJECTS
which claim has never been adjudica ted or even
Investigated by impartial tribunal, and the JUS
tIce OF which is denied by the latter country Such
an attempt would BE- a plain violation OF lnteTha-
tional law The British ultimatum, as understand
g. contemplates the eXaction by summary process
Of a fine as d punishment for alleged Injuries prior
10 and as q condition precedent to the submission
IN arbitration Of other matters in conroversy-both
the Judgment and the amount OF the fine having
been determined In advance by the Government
which declares that It's subjects have suffered In
fury You will observe that claim for reparation
or Indemnity on account OF alleged insult to the
Gag or sovereignty of Great Britain is herein in
voyed II is simply a proposition 10 collect by
force a claim for $1,000 for the benefit OF Brit
ish subject and the carrying oa OF such PROPOSE
4ion under the circumstances would be a violation
Of plain and well-setted principle OF international
law"
do you know any precedent TO Justify the Sc
clustering Of the revenues Of Mica raRua "A means
NJ securing the payment OF this claim" asked the
correspondent
.I cannot recall a precedent that would apply to
This case. Such action could not be taken by Great
britain against Nicaragua without violation Of
IN. Monroe Doctrine well OF international
law and IT ought not TO be countenanccd or per
,nitted by the United States. In order 10 seqrcster
tbe OF Nicaragua IL would be nee sSary TO-
Britain to seize the custom houses. and that
cnild be done without such show OF force
ond exercise OF authority as would amount TO n
Invasion of the sovereignty OF the Republic OF
Nicaragua Great Britain could not send armed
,,eesel into Nicaraguan waters for such purpose.
even IL she did not land armed force Mica
raolan soil, without violating the Monroe Doctrine
Eeither could she station armed vessels within
thnse waters TO interfere with prevent the
lie commerce of Nicaragua without such "A viola
,,on That would be mild form Of reprsal and Il
Sos sometimes been resOrted to where the circum-
nces not appear TO require justify dec
ssraton of war. but 1t would not be admissible
nnS ou0ht be permitted In this So IA
O. the seizure of the custom houses is concerned
Great Britain can take and hold possession OF them
Sor single day she can continue 20 hold possession
<or a century one pretext another II she
tvs the power. 1t Is the first step that counts I'm
swch matters, and she has never been slow to take
=, wheneyer and wherever she deemed IL be
""Wel what can Nicaragua do?' asked the cor
reHgh she could easily flank Great Britain SO far
- the threat to seQuester the revenues is