People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 April 1895 — ENGLAND AFTER LAND. [ARTICLE]

ENGLAND AFTER LAND.

WILL TAKE NiCARACUA INDEMNITY THAT WAY. A Similar Payment Was Once Made by Mexico Diplomats at Washington Discuss the Central American Problem. Washington, April 24 —ln diplomatic circles opinion is divided as to the outcome of the British-Nicaraguan trouble. The British view, as stated by one in a position to .speak with authority, is us follows: “Great Britain wants no more territory in Nicaragua and has given assurance* to that effect. Her only interest there has been to afford protection to Clarence, the Mosquito chief, and as his Indian subjects are well-nigh extinct the policy of the foreign office has been to withdraw from Nicaragua as soon as was expedient. For that reason, Counsel Hatch would have been recalled at an early day if the Nicaraguans had not attempted to drive him out. His return is not demanded because of any service he can do Great Britain there, but wholly as reparation for the indignity and as a warning tnat such semi-barbarous methods will not be tolerated. As to the cash indemnity it is m.t possible that Nicaragua cannot raise the money. If It is not in her treasury she can borrow it.” Another view is presented by a Central American diplomat as follows: "The cash indemnity demanded by Great Britain is about $75,000. But in view of Nicaragua’s depreciated silver currency, the amount is actually about $215,000 in her silver coin. It is no easy task for these Central American countries to raise such a sum. and their credit is not as good at money centers as is the credit of any one of the states of the United States. It would be much easier, therefore, for Nicaraguans to give an island or piece of territory if Great Britain would accept payment in land. There is a large amount of surplus land in Nicaragua which could be readily parted with.” “Mexico paid Great Britain in just this way, by ceding a small territory at the south of Yucatan, now forming the British settlement of Belize. It was no loss to Mexico, and Great Britain preferred it to money. If Nicaragua offers Great Britain the islands of Paguena del Maiz, of Grande del Maize, it may raise a direct issue between the United States and Great Britain. The islands are only ninety miles northeast of Greytown, the Atlantic entrance to the proposed Nicaragua canal, and they are on the direct vessel line from the United States to the canal, not far from Roncador reef, where the Kearsarge went down. The reports from Nicaragua confirm the statement that a blockade of Nicaraguan ports would be Great Britain's means of executing her demands. The understanding is that the blockade will begin next Saturday, giving Nicaragua the three full days intervening to yield to the demands in every particular. There is good reason to believe that the demands will not be altered, reduced, or compromised in the slightest particular, one of the main purposes of England being to administer a lesson to Nicaragua, and, indirectly, to all southern republics, as to British methods of redress. The maneuver 1 will probably be a “pacific blockade,” as heretofore explained, care being taken to bring Nicaragua's commerce to a standstill, and yet leave foreign commerce as free as ever. It is said, however, that Nicaragua’s coast pommeroe is very small, so that Great Britain’s pacific blockade may develop into a more forcible move in order to make it effective. As to the landing of British marines at Corintp, which is now understood to 'be part of the programme, it.is stated by officials that this will not menace or endanger the interests of the United States, or other foreigners. The case of ; the British bombardment of Alexandria is cited to show the British policy toward foreigners at a threatened point. In that case Great Britain wished to strike Egpyt, but to do so she was compelled to injure some foreign interests at Alexandria. Notice was therefore given that foreign interests would be protected with every precaution possible, and if they were injured, as an incident to the attack, compensation would be made. Subsequently the few foreign interests which suffered were ! voluntarily remunerated by Great Britain. It is said the same policy will be used at Corlnto. Great care will be taken to protect foreign interests and should the latter suffer indirectly, they will be compensated for loss. I Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British am- , bassador, has not been advised by the home government as to the contemplat- | ed blockade and landing of troops in Nicaragua. But in British circles this course has been accepted as certain for some time. Such assurances as Great Britain has £iven to the United States have been made to Ambassador Bayard in response to inquiries.