Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-24
SHALL WEHAVE WAR
SERIOUS PROBLEM ron us.
How Far shall We Permit John Bull
70 GO IN Persecutins q Sister
American Republio That IL Weak
and Poorf

WASHINGTON, d. c., March g.
There Is absolute authority for the state
ment. Notwithstanding guarded and techni-
cal details. that Great Br!tain's demand
upon Nicaragua Is of such character as
TO merit very grave consideration on the
part OF the Government OF the United
states Inspection Of the text Of Great
Britains demand. a copy OF which was
orough, to Washington by Minister Bar
rios. the special agent sent 10 London
by Nicaragua, discloses the fact that the
conditions imposed upon this feeble and
impecunious republic are harsh in the
extreme. Great Britain demands f75.O00
smart money. to be paid down within
seven weeks-that Is to say, before April
aeth next for the affront 10 the British
srown. implied in the alleged wrongful
expulsion OF the British pro-Consul
Hatch. from Bluefelds. This Is an i'm
perative demand. There is no suggestion
0 arbitration or loophole offered for
compromise or delay
Next, Great Britain insists that the
claims OF Hatch and other British sub
3ects. for damages alleged to has been
sustained, shall be submitted TO a mixed
ed by Nicaragua. one by Great Britain,
and the third 10 be selected by them-but
mot to be a citizen of any American re-
public"
OUR EXCLUSION.
This stipulation. as originally given out
by the Nicaraguan representatives. was
mot to be a citizen OF the United States
This statement gave opportunity Tor
technical denial on the part Of the British
representatives who said that no such
sndiplomatic and insulting discrimination
lad been made against the United states.
but that Mexico. Chile. Nenezeula, Brazil.
Ind other American republics are included
With the United States in the embargo
soes not render the fact that the United
States is shut out from participation in
matter OF this great Importance TO the
integrity of the American continent any
he less serious
Our interests in Nicaragua, especially
IN regard TO the problem Of trans
sthmian canal. are so great that the
presentation OF excessive demands, i'm
possible Of immediate compliance. to be
followed perhaps by the seizure OF ter
ritory "a n guarantee OF payment have
brought the United States face to face
With complication, which, taken in con-
1ection with the NeneZeula boundary
question. assumes Importance Of the first
magnitude.
The immediate question that may con-
front the administration relates 10 the
extent 10 which Great Britain shall go
N enforcing the prompt payment Of this
money. knowing that Nicaragua can spare
no such sum from its Treasury. which,
like those of most Of the Latln-American
nations. barely sufiices 10 meet current
expenses. II remains 10 be learned wheth-
sr Nicaragua can make the pecu-
aisry apology required or give any
satisfactory assurances Of It's future
payment. Little doubt Is expressed that
Great Britain Will seize something as
security in case of a default. and. under
the terms OF the Clayton ulwor treaty.
She United States will have a right TO
know In advance just what Great Bril-
tain proposes to do.
No such serious international problem
has been presented TO a recent admins
tratiOn as the present one