The record-union., 1894-12-04
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Leon Baldwin, an American citizen, by
band of marauders in Durango has been
accepted aud is being paid in INSTALL
ments.
The problem of the storage and use of
the waters of the Rio Grande for irriga-
ton should be solved by appropriate con-
current action Of the two interested coun-
tries. Rising in the Colorado Hights, the
stream flows inUermittently, yielding
little water during the dry months to
the lrrlgating canals already constructed
along its course. This scarcity is often
severely felt in the region where the
river forms common boundary. More
over, the frequent changes in its course
through level lands often raise embar-
rasslng questions of territorial jurisdic-
ton.
BLUEFIELDs INCIDENT.
Prominent among the questions of the
year was the Bluefelds incident, in what
Is known as the Mosquito Indian strip,
bordering on the Atlantic Ocean, and
within the jurisdiction of Nicaragua. BY
the treaty OF 1850, between Great Britain
and Nicaragua, the former Government
expressly recognized the sovereignty OF
the latter over the strip, and limited
form OF seIf-goVernment was guaranteed
TO the Mosquito Indians, to be exercised
according to their customs for themselves
and other dWeliers within its limits.
The so-called native Government.
which grew to be largely made up OF
aliens, Tor many years disputed the
sovereignty OF Nicaragua over the strip,
and claimed the right TO maintain therein
practically independent municipal gov
ernment. Early in the past year the
efforts OF Nicaragua to maintain q SOW
ereignty over the Mosquito territory led TO
serious disturbances, eliminating in the
suppression of the native government
and the attempted substitution of an i'm
practicable composite administration, in
which Nicaragua and alien residents
were to participate. Failure was followed
by an lnSurrectlOn, which for time sub
verted Nicaraguan rule, expelling her
officers and restoring the old organiza-
ton. This in turn gave place TO the eX-
lsting local government established and
upheld by Nicaragua.
Although the alien interests arraved
against Nicaragua in these transactions
have been largely American, and the
commerce of that region for some time
has been and still is chiefly controlled by
our citizens, we cannot for that reason
challenge the rightful sovereignty OF
Nicaragua over this important part OF her
domain. For some months one, and
during part of the time two, of our naval
ships have been stationed at Bluetields for
the protection of all legitimate interests
of our citizens.
In September last the Government at
Managua expelled from its territory
twelve or more foreigners, including two
Americans, for alleged participation in
the seditious or revolutionary movements
against the republic of Bluetields, already
mentioned, but, through the earnest re-
monstrance OF this Government, the
Americans have been permitted TO return
TO the peaceful management of their busi-
ness. Our naval commanders at the
scene of these disturbances, by their con-
slant exhibition Of tirmness and good
Judgment, contributed largely to the pre-
vention of more serious consequences
and to the restoration Of quiet and order.
MURDER OF WILSON.
I regret that in the midst of these oc-
currences there happened a most grave
and irritating failure of Nicaragua Justice.
An American citizen, named Wilson, re-
siding at Rama, in the Mosquito Terri
tory, was murdered by one Arguello, the
acting Governor of the town. After some
delay the murderer was arrested, but so in
securely confined or guarded that he
escaped, and Notwithstanding repeated
demands it is claimed that his recapture
has been impossible by reason of his
flight beyond Nicaraguan jurisdiction.
The Nicaraguan authorities having
given notice OF the forfeiture of the con-
cession to the canal company on grounds
purely technical, and not embraced in the
contract, nave receded from that position.
DISTURBANCES IN PERU.
Peru, l regret to say, shows symptoms
of domestic disturbance, due probably TO
the slowness OF her recupei alton from the
diStreSSeS Of the war of 1881. Weakened
IN resources, her difficulties in facing in
ternatiOnal obligations invite our kindly
sympathy, and justify our forbearance IN
pressing long pending claims. / have felt
constrained TO testify this sympathy in
connection with certain demands urgently
preferred by other powers.
THE DEATH OF THE CZAR OF RUSSIA.
The recent death of the Car of Russia
called forth appropriate expressions OF
sorrow and sympathy on the part Of our
Government with his bereaved family
and the Russian people. As a further
demonstration of reciprocal friendship.
our Minister at st. Petersburg was di-
rected to represent our Government al
the funeral ceremonies.
EQUALITY OF TREATMENT DEMANDED.
Occasion has been found to urge upon
the Russian Government equality OF
treatment for our great life insurance
companies, whose operations have been
extended throughout Europe. Admit
ting, as we do, foreign corporations tc
transact business in the United States we
naturally expect no less tolerance for oul
own in the ample fields of competition
abroad.
But few cases of interference with
naturaliZed citizens returning 10 Russia
have been reported during the current
year. One kizeminski was arrested last
summer in a Polish Province on a re.
ported charge of unpermitted renuncia-
ton of Russian allegiance, but it trans
pired that the proceedings originated il
alleged malte2sance committed by Kiez-
minski while an imperial officer a mum.
ber OF years ago. Efforts for his release
which promised to be successful, were in
progress when his death was reported.
ASYLUM OF sALVADORAN REFUGEES,
The Government of Salvador having
been oyerthrown by an abrupt popular
outbreak, certain OF its military and civil
officers, while hotly pursued by infuri.
ated insurgents, sought refuge on board
the United States war ship Benning-
ton, then lying in South American ports.
Although the practice of asylum is moi
favored by this Government, yet in view
of the eminent peril which threatened
the fugitives, and solely from considera-
tionS of humanity, they were afforded
shelter by our naval commander. and
when afterwards demanded under ouI
treaty of eXtradition with Salvador fol
trial on charges OF murder, arson and
robbery, l directed that such of them as
had not voluntarily left the ship be con-
veyed TO our nearest port, where a hear
ing could be had before a judicial officer
III compliance with the terms OF the
treaty. On their arrival at San Francisco
such a proceeding was promptly insti.
tuted before the United States Distric
Judge who held that the acts constItutinp
the alleged ot1enSes were political, ana
discharged all the accused except one
CienfuegoS, who was held for an attemp
TO murder. Thereupon / was constrained
10 direct his release, for the reason that ar