The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-17
COrintO and La Guayra.

The latest precedent for debt-collect-
ing operations on the American conti-
nent by European power was afforded
seven years ago by one of the Govern
ments now actively pressing Venezuela.
Great Britain had claim of $4,000
against Nicaragua for indemnity for the
arrest and imprisonment of a vice-consul
and certain other British subjects in the
Mosquito Territory in 1894. There were
some other minor claims, aggrcgating
s2,5oO In March. 1895, the British Gov
eminent presented To Nicaragua an ultl-
matum demanding satisfaction for its
claims before April &c. st the same
time it informed the Government of the
United States of its purpose To prosecute
the claims by naval force if necessary.
Mr. BAYARD, President CLEvELAND's di-
plomatic representative at London, be-
came convinced that there was no in
tention of acquiring territory, and that
the " pnroe Doctrine WAS therefore not
attacked Our Government acquesCed
in the proceeding, at least tacitly, and
England went ahead
The Ncaraguan President, IEIAYA,
and most of the people of that republic.
believed to the last that the United
States would intervene To protect them
against their threatening creditor. They
accordingly neglected to comply with
the terms of Lord KIMBERLEY ultima
tum. On April %, 1895, British squad
ron of three war vessels. under he COM
mand of Rear Admiral STEPHENSON,
entered the harbor of Corinto on the
Pacific coast of Nicaragua The Adj
mira sent an officer to President ZELAYA
ut Managua with notification that I'M
less the demands of the ultimatum were
met within three days he would take
military possession of the port, and bonn
bard the town if there should be re-
sstance.
The Nicaraguan Government replied
from Managua that it would not submit
to the British demands. On April -
STEPHENSON landed force of four hun
dred blue jackets, took possession of the
custom house hoisted the British flag
over it, and established a British Gov
ernor Of the port.
There was rioting in Corinto and great
excitement throughout Nicaragua A
mob attacked the British consulate at
Managua- ZELAYA issued a proclama-
ton declaring martial law in the republic.
He also issued protest against the
methods employed by Great Britain TO
collect a debt which he declared was not
justly due. The Nicaraguans still ex-
pected the United States to interfere in
their behalf After a period Of buster
and protest and talk Of fight to the death,
ii became apparent to the minds of the
Central American statesmen that tho
United States intended neither TO take
the position that these drastic proceed
ings for the collection Of a claim of 81
500 were in violation Of the Monroe
Doctrine nor to assume or guarantee the
payment Of the cash in Nicaraguas be-
half Then the business was quickly
arranged through the Salvadorean repre-
sentative In London. ZELAYA's Govern
ment promised to pay within fifteen
days II the ships were withdrawn. On
May Admiral STEPHENSON withdrew
his ships from Corinto, evacuating Mica
raguan territory and leaving the Monroe
Doctrine inviolate The 1880 was paid
in London, according to agreement.
Although the present proceedings in
Venezuela differ in some details from
the Corinto affair OF seven years ago, the
principle Of the creditors action is the
same and the attitude of our Govern
ment depends upon the same consdera-
tons of national policy and duty. At this
distance of time it is clearly evident that
the course Of our Government in refrain
ing from premature interference be-
tween England and Nicaragua, in refus-
ing to fly to arms in support Of the Mon
roe Doctrine before the doctrine was
really attacked, was the right course
There was suspicion in many quarters
at that time of Interior and unavowed
designs on the part Of Great Britain. The
prompt withdrawal of her flag and ships
from Corinto "a soon as Nicaragua agreed
to settle the debt was sufficient vindica-
ton Of England's good faith and single
ness Of purpose. The Monroe Doctrine
was strengthened rather than weakened
in the eyes of the world by Ergland's
behavior on that occasion.
We ought to be able to trust her now.
We ought to be able to assume that she
is not, at least knowingly, a partner in
any proceeding in which good faith to-
ward us and respect for the cardinal prin-
ciple of our foreign policy are lacking.