New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-12
PRICE THREE CENTS
GRESHAM'S LATEST WOES
ENGLAND DOES NOT VIEW NICARAGUAN
COMPLICATIONS AS HE DOES.
THEREFORE HE PROCEEDS TO GIVE OUT MIS-.
LEADING STATEMENTS TO THE PREss-MR
CLEVELAND ALSO FAR FROM FRANK
IN DEALING WITH THE BLUE
FIELDS QUEsTION-THE TRUTH

OF THE MATTER.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO The rRrBuNE.I


OF THE MATTER.
(BY TELEGRAPH TO The TRIBUNE.1
Washington, Dec ll-President Cleveland was
neither frank fair in his treatment Of tho
Nicaraguan situation in his recent message to
Congress. On the contrary, he held back in
formation on this important subject which is Of
much interest to Congress and the country.
This suppressed intelligence relates to the pres
ent attitude of England toward the United States
in the Mosquito Reservation controversy For
the last ten days the President has been aware
of the fact that Great Britain is looking out for
her individual interests in the Strip, and that
she has declared through Ambassador Bayard
that for the present, at least. she will not recog-
nize Nicaraguan National control in the reserva-
ton. nor In any manner give up the treaty
rights which she claims to have there. Yet no
reference is made in the Presidents message to
this serious complication. although the inte-
gence was received from London two days before
the document was completed. and four days be-
fore its presentation to Congress.
The President says nothing in his message.wth
respect to recent occurrences in Nicaragua, but
contents himself with mention Of what took place
months ago In an indirect way he tells Con-
gress that this country has formally recognized
the sovereignty of Nicaragua in the Mosquito
Reservation when he says: I'VE cannot chal-
lenge the rightful authority Of that Republic
over an important part of her domain" But he
does not say he could and should have done,
that the Administration has reason for being
much concerned on account of England's pres
ent attitude on the same issue. SO far as Con-
gress is informed there is no controversy be-
tween this country and Great Britain relative to
control at Blueields whereas. as a matter OF
IL rha he into
national question now pending between the
United States and other nations
1t will be remembered that only few days ago
the press Of the country published news to the
effect that Mr.. Gosng. Engand's Minister to
Central America, had informed Nicaragua that
Great Britain had refused TO recognize her SOW
ereignty in the Mosquito Strip. II then
generally assumed that Mr. Gosing spoke au-
thoritatively. but the STATE Department at
tempted TO create impression to the con-
trary. Nicaragua accepted the statement as
official, at any rate. and directed her Minister
to this country Mr.. Gu.man. 10 inform Secre-
tary Gresham Of Mr. Gcsng's statement
Mr. Guzmans notice came like thunderbolt
upon the State Department. Mr.. Gosling's dec
laraton was wholly unexpected. In fact. Secre-
tary Gresham ignorant or unmindful Of the self
ishness that governs Great Brtains international
country's recognition Of National control in the
Mosquito Reservation, and the announcement on
her part of a similar policy. That is to say. Mr..
Gresham apparently counted upon the renuncia-
ton by Great Britain of treaty rights in NIcara-
qua. which she had claimed and contended for
for many years. The declaration Of Mr. Goslins
created CONSERVATION and confusion at the State
Department. Conditions. not theories, had to be
met.
In his embarrassment, Mr. Gresham resorted to
deception. Immediately after receiving Minister
Guzmans information he drove to Woodley
and had long conference with the President
the situation. Upon his return 10 the State De-
partment, he caused the impression. If not the
actual statement. to be given out that there was
no trustworthness IN the rumors from Nicaragua.
reported by Minister Guzman. and that the
United States and England were in accord in the
policy Of recognizing Nicaraguan supremacy in
the Mosquito Reservation. 1t was minated that
il was TO the interest OF this country to concede
such Jurisdiction to Nicaragua, and that Great
Britain. disgusted with her experience at Blue
fields desired release from conditions which were
both annoying and proftless TO herself, and pros
pectvely embarrassing as an international conf
plication. There was no intention on the part OF
this Government to call England to account as
that countrys position we'll known and thor
ports 10 the effect that the fleet in Central Amer
can waters Immediately 10 be augmented
were unfounded and stories that vigorous dipio-
macy would be resOrted TO were equally untrust-
worthy Mr. Bayard would be instructed TO In
quire into the matter, but no apprehension as 10
the situation was felt. This and much more or the
same tenor in the way of dscrediting the express
sions of Mr. G0sling and belittling the incident
were given out at the State Department the
newspapers had been sensational and absurd. ana
there no necessity for alarm or any FORM OF
and his advisers
The facts which have now come to light show
conc.usively that Mr. Goslng was well informed
when he said that England would not recognize
Nicaraguan sovereignty in the Mosquito country.
The first news AZ the State Department Oh EHs
lands position came from Minister Guzman ana
not from Ambassador B4yard, as would nave
been the case II the American representative AT
London had been the alert. AS stated, tne
intelligence reached Secretary Gresham shorty
before his hasty visit 10 Woodley. to confer with
the President President Cleveland Gid not
direct Secretary Gresham to return 10 Washing-
ton and give out misleading reports 10 the press
az IN the facts The President knew that the
situation was serious and his instructions re.
lated to the tenor OF dispatches to be sent u Mr.
Bayard and not to statements TO be given 70 the
press. .x
As promptly as possible after his return to the
State Department the Secretary committed 10
cipher instructions to Mr. Bayard Immediately
to consult Lord Kimberley. and ascertain II the
reported declarations Of Mr.. Gosling were
founded on facts. II so information was de.
sired as 10 the grounds upon Wnlcn fHSiaiiu
based her position. The Secretary OF state
asked for the fullest information as to the situaI
ton. In the same dispatch ne directed MT:
Bayard to say 10 Great Britain's Secretary OF
State for Foreign Affairs that this country had
conceded both National and municipal Jurisd,c-
t,nn to Nicaragua in the Mosquito Reservation.
and that II was expected that England would
adopt a similar policy Upon what grounds Mr..
Gresham based this expectation cannot De
learned. Sentiment would seem TO be the only
legitimate reason for such hope. In view OF the
well-known contention o. England as TO her
rights in the reservation
How Mr. Bayard received the message. or what
course he pursued In getting his information, Is
NOT a matter OF record His answer was brief but
To the point. II says that me announcement OK
England's attitude toward Nicaragua, con-
yeved by Minister Guzman 10 the State Depart
ment is founded on fact England does not and
for the present at least. will not recognize Mica