Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-17
THE NICARAGUA DISPUTE
No Further Developments so Far as This
Government is Concerned.
What Great Britain Has Assured ms
to TerritOry-ActiOn of Her
Representatives Awaited.

Officials will not admit that there have
been any further developments in the Brit
ish-Nicaragua dispute, so far as this gov
ernment is concerned. The latest advices
from London indicate that Great Britain
stands by her original ultimatum for
cash indemnity, etc, and is prepared to
enforce it if necessary. The counter propo-
sition of Nicaragua to submit all the claims
to an international commission has been
rejected. Interest is now centered on the
future course of Great Britain. The period
allowed for the payment of the Hatch
smart money" has expired, and 1t is as
sumed that drastic measures will be re-
sorted to, such as the seizure of the princf-
pal custom houses of Nicaragua and the
collection Of the indemnity IN that way.
No Designs ON Territory.
Positive assurances have been given to
the United States government that Great
Britain has no designs on Nicaraguan ter
ritory in this matter and that it will secure
satisfaction without resort to such an ex-
tremity. Whether this government will re-
gard the seizure of the customs houses as
an unfriendly act within the meaning of the
Monroe doctrine is a matter OF CONJECTURE
but it is thought to be extremely unlikely.
inasmuch as it is said at the State Depart
ment that this government has made no
protest against any action on the part OF
seizure of territory.
II is said that the British government
considers the issue between itself and Mic
aragua as one in which no other nation
can haze any concern, and has not ac-
quainted the government OF the United
States with it's exact purposes. 1t is not
known here officially that any Nicaraguan
port is to be bombarded. In such circum-
stances, it is said, there is nothing for our
government to do but await developments,
and 1t cannot shape its own course until
the British program has been disclosed by
the action OF Its representatives.
The United States Fleet.
No vessel of the United States is now at
Greytown, but the six vessels comprising
the squadron of Admiral Meade are now
at Colon. within a days sail of Greytown.
1t is said at the Navy Department that the
fact that the six vessels are now within
reach OF the Mosquito coast is due to ac-
cdent and not design.
The department has been informed that
Admiral Meade expects to reach Key West
on the 26th of this month. and he is
now only five days sail from that point, he
can remain five days in the vicinity of
Greytown and still carry out the itinerary
agreed upon. There are no orders COM
pelling him to be at Key West at the date
named, although 1t was a part of the gen.
eral plan approved by the department be-
fore the squadron left ON the cruise. 1t is
probable that the Atlanta and Raleigh will
remain at Colon. where they have been for
sometime, after Admiral Meade with the
other four vessels departs.
There are three warships on the west
coast, but none of them is in Nicaragua.
The Alert Is at Panama, the Ranger at
Buena Ventura and the Monterey at Ma
zatlan, Mex.
The British Instructions.
Those in position to understand the
status of affairs express the belief that the
British instructions are on the following
lines:
First There shall be no exercise of force
which will affect the commerce or interests
of the United States or her citizens, or of
other foreign countries.
Second. The exercise of force shall be
confined to the execution of a passive
blockade" of Nicaraguan ports, according
to the established rules for that maneuver.
The passive blockade is designed to
cripple the internal commerce of Nicaragua,
and yet to leave all foreign commerce to
proceed as usual. 1t does not contemplate
of property. But the warships bring to a
standstill the local or coastwise trade and
keep it thus paralyzed until a satisfactory
response is given.
The merchant ships of the United States
and other countries would be free to come
and so, and care would be taken that no
cause should be given for United States in
tervention on the ground that United
States interests were in jeopardy.
The last time this passive blockade" was
executed Was against Greece ten years ago
AT tnat tlne the allleu powers OF Europe
except France, agreed to suppress the
action of Greece in beginning war on Tur-
key. The various countries sent warshjps
which blockaded Grecian ports and held
all coast commerce in check until Greece
yielded.
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British am
bassador, was at the State Department at
noon, but it was said the visit was not in
reference to the Ncaraguan situation. as
the British foreign office is dealing directly
with Nicaragua.