The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-04-26

ceived today say Vice-Admiral Ste
phenson, in command of the British
fleet at Corinto, has given Nicaragua
notice that he will consider the time
Of grace to run until midnight tonight,
He will begin landing troops at 6 to-
morrow morning.
Nicaragua's last hope of assistance
from the United States in her coutro-
versy with Great Britain to prevent
the seizure of Corinto. vanished this
evening. DR.. Guzman, the Near
aguan minister. who had been wait
ing with intense anxiety to see Secre-
tary Gresham. was finally successful
about o'clock, when the secretary
came into the department from the
White House, where he had been in,
consultation with President Cleve-
land, presumably on the same sub
iect.
Must Pay or Fight.
The interview was very short. In
five minutes the minister emerged
from the secretary's office, looking
very much depressed. He refused to
say a word as to what had taken
place. but it can be stated the secre-
tary gave him to understand very
clearly the United States would not
Interfere in the case as it stands. So
tnere are now three courses open to
Nicaragua, namely: To pay the in
demntty; to permit the occupation OF
Corinto, or to fight; and the next
twelve hours must find the choice,
declared, fer the British troops are to
land at daybreak tomorrow at Cor
into.
AS already stated in the Associated
Press dispatches, the position taken
by the president in this matter is than
me dispute IS one entirely between
Great Britain and Nicaragua, in
which the United States has no cause
to Interfere unless thera should be
committed acts Injurious to American
interests IN Nicaragua, or there should
be shown disposition by Great
Britain to acquire Nicaraguan terri
tory.
Favorable Assurance.
On each of these points, favorable
assurance has been had from Great
Britain, and it is said that all that
can be now done is to watch the
course of events. This decision was
not hastily reached. for the entire
subject of our stations to the
countries Of Central and South Amer
ia was CoHSfuSISQ anu discussed
carefully by the president with his
constitutional advisers. and there has
been made a close scrutiny of the
presidents that might suffice for our
guidance. These have been found in
at least three cases
The first was fairly set out in the
message of President Buchanan to
Congress in 1859, in that portion re-
lating to Paraguay. For several
years preceding this message the
United States had great difficulty IN
maintaining friendly relations with
Paraguay, the latter country being
then under the dictatorship of DR..
Lopez, who was carrying out the
policy of excluding the rest OF the
world from his country by the most
drastic measures. He had, as Presi-
dent Buchanan stated. upon the most
frivolous and even insulting pretexts.
refused to ratify the treaty OF friend
ship and commerce concluded with
Paraguay; had seized and appropri-
ated the property of American citi-
zens residing in the country In a vio-
lent and arbitrary manner and finally
the Paraguayans had fired upon the
United States steamer Waterwitch, in
1856, and killed the helmsman, while
the vessel was making q peaceful sur
vey of the Parana river, to determine
It's fitness for steam navigation. The
honor as we'll as the interests OF the
United States demanded satisfaction.
and the president, being clothed by
Congress with necessary power, sent
a naval expedition up the Parana.
river to the capital Of Paraguay. and
compelled ample apologies from the
president, the payment of an inden-
nifty of $4,000 to the family of the
man who was killed, and finally Sc
cured the ratification of the treaty.
Application Not Exact.
The application of this case to the
Nicaraguan situation is not exact,
but it is regarded as committing the
United States to the recognition of the
principle Of the right to demand an
indemnity for the abuse of United
states officers, and. therefore, we
could not consistently deny the same
right TO Great Britain.
The second case which was relied
upon as a precedent grew out OF the
difficulties encountered by Spain,
France and Great Britain in their re-
lations with Mexico in 1860 These
nations asserted they had oeen
placed, by the arbitrary and vexattous
Conduct of Mexico. under the ne
cessity of exacting from the authorities
OF that country a more effective pro
lection for the persons and properties
of other states. as we'll as the exc
cution of obligations contracted with
then, by Mexico. and, therefore, they
had combined TO effect their ends by
force If need be. The United States
which had similar grievances against
Mexico. was invited to Join these
European nations in enforcing their
demands.
As Seen by Seward.
This invitation was declined by the
United States. which was then in the
throes of civil war, but the significant
point in the case is found in the
declaration by Secretary Seward:
.sAs the undersigned has heretofore
had the honor to inform each OF the
now addressed, the
president does not feel himself at lib
- "a e.,,astior, and he does NOT nuaS-