The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-03-23
MAKES REPLY
President Zelaya Has Filed Statement
With Washington Government

svWcHAAetVh UVvC1 uuCuG
Washington, March 23-President
Zelaya of Nicaragua has, through Mr..
Espinosa. the minister of that coun-
try to the United States, sent his re-
ply to the demand made by Secretary
Knox for the arbitration of the En-
ory claim arising out Of the anul-
ment by Nicaragua of a concession
granted by that country for cutting
mahogany. because Of alleged VIOLA
tion OF lite provisions.
. No statement was obtainable at
the state department today as to the
nature Of Zelaya's reply, but enough
is known to warrant the statement
that 1t does not meet every demand
of this government. 1t is understood,
however. that Nicaragua has suggest
ed a method Of adjustment of the
whole issue which in its Judgment
provides for settlement on an equita-
BILE basis for all parties interested.
The Emory claim has been hanging
fire between the state department and
Nicaragua for years, the department
being unable to secure the consent Of
the Central American country to ar
bitrate 1t along lines satisfactory to
this government-that Is by a COM
mission sitting outside Of Nicaragua,
which. while passing on the question
Of the right Of Nicaragua to annul the
claim, also should fix the amount Of
damages to which the Emory company
might be entitled, If any, as a result
of the action Of the Nicaraguan courts.
Nicaragua has expressed it's willing
ness to have such commission pass
on the correctness of the decision of
It's courts in annulling the concession
but has uniformly insisted that the
question Of damages should be fixed
by a local arbitration commission
made up Of a representative Of the
company. a representative of the gov
ernment, and a third to be chosen by
these two, as contemplated in the con-
cession in the event that issues arise
between the company and the govern
ment.
Today's note from Mr.. Bspinosa re-
afarms Nicaragua's willingness to ar
bitrate the questions at issue, but as
in former communications differs with
this government as to the form in
which this is to be brought about.
State department officials are not
yet prepared to make any statement
OF the attitude OF this government on
the counter propositions advanced. II
the differences between the two coun-
tries continues radical, the whole mat
ter will be passed up to congress for
such action as 1t may take to obtain
satisfaction for the concessionaires,
II not radical, then 1t is generally .ex-
pected an agreement may be reached
for the settlement of the controversy.
The discussion Of the merits Of the
case has passed into history and now
the state department is determined to
have prompt settlement reached. A
demand to this effect made it's appear
ance almost simultaneously with the
recent threatening aspect Of affairs in
Central America caused by the mill
tary activity In Nicaragua, although it
is said authoritatively that there was
no significance In this coincidence.
Meantime Central American official
advices report q disavowal by Presi-
dent Zelaya Of any military aggres-
siveness against Salvador and Costa
Rica as was suggested as a result of
the concentration Of Nicaraguan
troops on the borders Of those coun-
tries9