The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-02-09
AN 1rrgRM1rABLE CONTROVERSY


The ,,,scueeion Or the merits of the rival
ahip canal projects has again directed Rtten- |
lion to the long existing controversy between
The Enxlish aud Niearagusn governments
the control OF the Mesquite coast
or shore a portion of the eastern or Atlantic
coaat Of Central America, which has been
usually understood by EeoHraphars ~ en-
brace the ahpre or the Caribbean Sea- 10
tween latitude ia degrees aud 10 degrees
north, a distance Of anowt two hundred miles,
II has been claimed by the British government.
In ,ts capaety of protector of the Mosquito
lud,ana. that It embraces the entire coast
line of Central America between Cape Honuu-
rea ana Roca del Toro III Ghirldui lagoon. q
distance Or about eeven hundred miles. The
ahore wac fret occupied Ivy the English about
TAO. which subsequently, constituted one of
tho tsauea between England and Spain In the
war which wan Terminated by the treaty OF
Parts of lTGa. by which Great Britain agreed
tn evacaate not only the Mosquito shore, but
tall other places lii the territory Of Spain IN
that part Of the world" III 1925
one " the head chiefs OF tho Mosaui-
to Indians was taken to the British establish
mcnt OF Baltic. and formally crowned as
liking Of the Mosquito nation" This hing
waa then eent back TO the coast hut having
exhibited some Indications Of Independence.
waa aEaln taken to llalaa. where he died.
after ainnln1 u document styled "a Will, IN
which he made over ha "kingdom' to COL
Macdonald. superintendent of Balise. as re-
uent. Macdonald at once cent some OF HE
auboritnatea to the coast, who were soon
after recognized by the British government
"A acting ln In name: and thus originated the
Enuiah protecturatn over the ooaat. III ts4s
an English naval force setzed the Nicara-
uuan port OF San JUAN at the mouth OF tho
river OF the came Name under the pretense
that II fell within the territory of the so-caled
Moeuu,tc Kng-an Indian boy living In the
house OF the British agent. Az the port Of
Van Juan was regarded AZ the only possible
Atlantic tcrlnlnus " the proposed inter
oceanic canal through nicaragua, the atten-
ton OF the warld became suddenly and strong
~ directed to the British proceedings on the
Mosquito shore The United States eidlng
openly with the Central American republics
In denying the claims 81 nationality oct up
Oh behalf VI tho Mosquito Indiana. diplo-
matte quarrel az once ensued. which wac got
tied. III 1850, by convention between Great
britain and the United States, known as the
Clayton Bulwer treaty. IN which both par
t,es bound themselves not ITO occupy. fort.iy.
oolontze or exercise dominion over the Mos
quito shore OF any part of Central America"
A convention was subsequently, agreed upon.
Ia 1856. between Lord Clarendon and the
United States minister at London, according
10 which. In December. 1859. Great Britain
concluded convention with Honduras for
the REIMBURSEMENT of the Mosquito claims
over the territory north of the River WaRko,
with the sole condition Of an annuity Of $4,000
4 year. for ten years. To such Mosquito lndt-
ana as might be fonsd In the district thus
surrendered. siHilar proposition was
made to Nicaragua. but never resulted
In any definite settlement Of the con-
.roversy. which hae i,nally been referred
10 the Emperor Of Austria Should his de
c,alnn be Ill favor of the claims ot Nicaragua,
tha disputed territory will at once become
the propert, Of that republic; II In favor OF
Great n.ss..S...n. the coast will continue Under
the control OF the Mosquito King and Brit
,sh prutectorate III recent editorial. discuss
ing this question, the Washington Post takes
tho ground that 90 long a. Great Britain y
policy In Central America IL not aggressive W.
can well afford to have her assistance In keep
| inu the peace slonH the line Of the proposed
canal and In case OF difficulties arising from
any attempt on her part to acquire the terri
tory over which abe exercises the proteetorate
the United States can settle them "in a man
ncr at once summary and satisfactory
to our people, 1T II not at all cor
tain" says the Post. that the decision
will he favorable to the British government;
but those who wish to see the Nicaragua
canal an accomplished fact at an early day
may we'll desire that It should be go. II
would inspire English capitalists with conf
dence lii the security OF the work and leac
them to invest their money In an enterprise
which promises to be a commercial success
The insecurity OF life and property IN tn
Central American States has always been Il
serious obstacle In the way Of developing thu
resources of those co untries. 1t will. therefore
be matter for qualification, rather thar
alarm. 70 the American people II the decision
or this vrxed question should give strons
and friendly power the right to prevent thu
destruction OF the canal or any interference
with the commerce passing through 1t In TIL
frequent disturbances which occur among
the Inhabitants OF Nicaragua.