The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-27
THEY HAHE 4 REASON.
IT WOlsld Seem That Administration Men
Intend to Act Later O9t.

II WOtsId Seem That Administration Men
Intend to Act Letter On.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 26.-In
explanation of the refusal OF the admins
tration to entertain Nicaragua appeal for
protection against Great Britain it is now
learned that the United States is reserving
its energies so as to deal with the Venezue-
Ian question becomingly when the crisis,
which cannot much longer be averted, is
reached. The British Government has
been given to understand that the United
States does not take issue with it as to the
right to exact an indemnity and reason
able reparation from Nicaragua, consider
ing the gravity of the offense committed
by the Nicaraguan Government in ex-
pelling a British official and British sub
ject from Nicaragua in defiance of all
principles of international law and comfy.
The fact that Americans expelled at the
same time by the Nicaraguans were after
ward voluntarily permitted to return to
the country has not in any degree served
to palliate the offense committed against
Great Britain and against civilization, in
the eyes of our State Department. In
consenting to the execution of the British
programme in Nicaragua, however, the
State Department was very careful to give
full notice that it would not permit the
British TO annex foot of Nicaraguan soil
nor to interfere with the republican form
of government there. 1t was fully in
tended that the notice should be taken as
an exposition of the position of our
Government in the matter and it is as
serted that the fear expressed by the
Latin-American dipIomatists here that
the landing of British troops at Corinto
would be the forerunner of a forCible oc-
cupation by the British of the territory
in dispute between Great Britain and
Venezuela is without foundation.
ambassador Bayard at London is well
acquainted with the views of the President
in this matter, and it may be stated posi-
lively he will not tolerate the occupa-
ton of the territory to the westward of the
famous Schomberg line by Great Britain.
Secretary Gresham, there is reason to
believe, has caused Mr.. Bayard to be in
formed of the position that will be assumed
by the United States, namely: That it
cannot permit the extension of the British
claims to the territory west of the Schom-
berg line and the occupation of that terri
tory at least in advance of arbitration. As
there is still a remote prospect that Great
Britain will so far heed our prior urgent
representations as to consent to submit the
entire boundary question to arbitration.
it may be that Mr.. Bayard has regarded it
as inadvisable at present to communicate
this conclusion reached by the President
to the Foreign Office, and that it will be
withheld until the clash, which is inevita-
bic in the absence of an agreement to arbi-
trate the difficulty, occurs on the Vene-
zuelan boundary.
The attempt of the Guayano colonists to
run railway through Venezuelan terri
tory may precipitate this clash. When
the proper moment arrives the decision OF
our Government, it is said, will be COM
municated in no uncertain terms. and the
moderation the United States has shown
in the Nicaraguan affair, in which the
honor of Great Britain is regarded as in
volved, it is believed, will cause our course
as to Venezuela to be respected.
Some recent statements have appeared
intimating that Nicaragua will be disposed
to criticize the course of the United States
in not adopting energetic steps in her be-
half. DR.. Guzman wishes it clearly under
stood that it is not for Nicaragua or for
him as its representative to question in
the slightest way the kindly disposition of
the country, and, as a matter of fact, the
Minister feels gratified at the consideration
eminent at time of grave emergency.