The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-13
VIII England Move on the Canal ?

| The port OF Bluefields Is hardly more than
seventy-ive miles from the Atlantic end OF
the Nicaragua Canal. As naval station 1t
would be the point chosen by any foreign
| power desiring TO command the eastern ap-
proach to the great interoceanic waterway
Of the future. and yet not daring or wish
ing to seize upon Greytown itself. where
the canal begins.
This. In plain English. Is the fact which
gives so much Importance TO the recent occu-
patton OF Bluefelds by British marines and
sailors. landed there from the British man
of-war said to be named the Tomas, and not
the Cleopatra. as at first reported.
The commander OF the English ship ap-
pears to have landed his men In response TO
request from the Mosquito Indians for
protection against certain companies OF
Nicaragua troops. which had entered the
town. Blueieds is In Nicaraguan terri
tory. but the relations OF the Mosquitoes of
the coast to the Government nomlnally
sovereign there have been for half GEN.
fury anomalous. Compliance with re-
quest for British protection implies. In the
absence OF any other explanation. the re-
newed assertion OF British protectorate
over the Mosquito Coast. II that signifi-
canoe OF the action OF the English Captain
is not disavowed by his Government, this
country is confronted with an inferno tional
question Of grave character.
Previously to 1850. Great Britain pretended
to exercise protectorate over the coast
where Blueflelds is situated. The claim was
OF vague origin and OF himsy texture. and
1t was never recognized by the United
States. 1t rested on the circumstance, or
legend. that about tho middle Of the seven
tenth century. soon after the conquest OF
Jamaica. Mosquito chieftain called OLD
MAN was carried to England and received
from CHARLES I. Grown and a COM
mission" OLpMANs son JEREMY. ON the
strength OF this story. once claimed
protection from the English Governor
OF Jamaica as against tho Spaniards
and the pirates. but the Governor OF
Jamaica did nothing In the matter. A
travellers narrative reprinted in CHURCH
ILLS Voyages. represents King JEREMY as
carefully preserving this crown and COM
mission. which is but a cooked hat and a
ridiculous piece Of writing that he should
kindly use and release such struggling
Englishmen as should choose to come that
way. with plantains. fish. turtle. &c"
In ls49 Lord PALMERsToN notified our
Minister at London that "a close political
connection had existed between the Crown
OF Great Britain and the State and territory
OF Mosquito for period OF about two CEN
turtles" That SO far as Is known. is the
first diplomatic assertion OF British pro-
teetorats over the Mosquito Coast.
BY the CLAYToN-BULwER Treaty OF 1850,
negotiated and ratified by Great Britain
and the United States at the time when il
was thought that a canal through Nicara-
qua would DO constructed Immediately I'M
der the original concession. both Govern
ments agreed that they would attempt no
exclusive control over the said canal;
agreeing that neither will ever erect or |
maintain any Notifications commanding the |
same. or in the vicinity thereof or occupy. or |
fortify. or colonize, or assume. or exercise |
any dominion over Nicaragua. Costa Rica.
the Mosquito Coast. or any part OF Central |
America; nor will either make use Of any |
protection which either affords. or may af- |
ford, or any alliance which either has or may |
have. TO or with any people. for the purpose
Of erecting OF maintaining any such fortif-
cations. or OF occupying or colonlzing Mica
ragua. Costa Rica. the Mosquito Coast. or
any part OF Central America, or OF assum-
At that time the British Government did
claim Indirect do minion over the Mosquito
Coast. aud Its claim was expressly Telin-
luished by the terms OF the treaty. Eng
and's good faith in carrying out her en-
gagements under the CLAYTON RULWER
Treaty was the subject OF diplomatic con-
-royersy during many successive Admins
-Tations. The whole subject of the different
constructions put upon that treaty. the
,haracter and present vitality Of the obliga-
ions assumed by the respective Govern
nents. Is one OF the tangles Of diplomatic
history. and we need not examine il here.
i Is only fair to say that at different times
zach Government has taken different views
II the validity OF tho CLAYTON BULwER !
treating IL as operative or as ex-
met. according 10 the diplomatic necessi-
les Of thShour. But the fact remains. not |