The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1895-04-26
RAPID CITY, S. d. FRIDAY APRIL 26. 1896
MAY FORCE A FIGHT.
THE NlCARAGUAN SITUATION
GROWS WORSE.
IN American Republic Said to Be
outh ing to Make Catspaw Dot Of
Uncle sam-Great Britain Will Not
Use Force Yet.

Washington, April 18.-If Nicaragua's 5
counter proposition to Great Britain for
the submission of the whole question in
dispute to arbitration has been rejected
by the latter government, as reported,
administration officials will expect an
other strong appeal for assistance from
the weak republic. While state depart
ment officers had hoped Great Britain
might accede to the terms Of settle
ment proposed by Nicaragua the gen
eral policy of her majesty's government
to adhere to an ultimatum when once
proclaimed has led them to expect nom
compliance with Nicaraguas request.
The whole question has now reached
an acute stage and no one at the state
department ventures to predict what
the outcome will be. It is we'll known
TO the authorities Nicaragua can not
Well afford at the present time to pay
the $4,000 indemnity demanded without
borrowing the money. 1t is understood
Nicaragua has confessed in q semi-otH-
cial way her inability to meet the de-
mand.
There has been so much talk from
Ntcaraguan sources about the necessity
FOR ceding Corn island to Great Britain
in lieu of the indemnity demanded that
the authorities recognize the possibility
OF having the United States drawn into
the controversy. This talk may be only
trick on the part of Nicaragua to
force the United States into coming to
her rescue, but it is nevertheless fact
that the officials are more concerned to-
day about the Nicaraguan situation
than they have been for some time past.
While Great Britain has disclaimed
80 s~,S,
territory it is appreciated that Mica
ragua could force the administrat ton
into vigorous assertion of the Monroe
doctrine by offering under stress of cir
cumstances to give Great Britain Corn
island in lieu Of the indemnity AL
though Nicaragua might of her own
motion suggest the cession Of Corn
Island to Great Britain as means of
escaping the payment of the indemnity
demanded such action would neverthe-
less be indirectly the result of coercion
on the part of Great Britain Hence
the authorities would consider move
of this kind violation of the Monroe
doctrine and. as one official remarked
to-day, the administration would be
compelled to step in and prevent by
force, If necessary, the consummation
of any such deal. This is no doubt what
Nicaragua would like.
From the beginning Of the controversy
with Great Britain every possible ap-
peal has been made to enlist the assist
ance of our state department in pre-
venting Great Britain from securing
reparation she demanded for the out
RACES upon Consul Hatch and other
British subjects. Until the present
time the state department has turned a
deaf ear to all of these entreaties and
has used it's good offices to induce Mic
aragua to comply with the demands
made upon her by her majesty's gov
ernment. The Corn Island dodge, there
fore, seems to be the last resort for
Nicaragua, and it is currently believed
If Great Britain does not accept the ar
bitration proposition Nicaragua will
play this little game to the full limit.
There is good ground for the statement
that If the cession of Corn Island is
either demanded by Great Britain or
offered by Nicaragua the United States
will at once interfere, with force, if
necessary, and, so far as can be learned
this intimation has been conveyed to
Ambassador Bayard and through him
to the British foreign office