The sun., 1894-04-27
Capt. Watson at BIuefelds.

The report made by Capt. WATSON Of tho
San Francisco on the affairs of the Mos
quito Coast. relieves anxiety In regard to
two points. 1t is shown that there is no
indication Of further riutlng at Blueilelds,
and it is also made apparent that there was
no attempt by Great Britain either to re-
vive her protectorate over the reservation or
to acquire territory there. Tho landing of
the Cleopatra's marines was solely for the
purpose OF protecting tho interests of for
eign residents. and the Americans Mt Blue
fields profltcd by that landing as much as
the British. and were as grateful for 1t.
Indeed. about two hours after the arrival
OF the San Francisco, fortnight ago. the
British cruiser Magiciennc, which had been
keeping watch there. steamed away to
Colon. almost as II she had only been acting
rs guard till relieved by an American war
ship. Capt. WATSON accordingly had clcar
field In prosecuting his inquiries. and the
result was. apparently. that he ascertained
that there had been no I'd al" by Great
Britain with Nicaragua. involving the ces-
sion to the former either Of Corn Island or
any other territory. Indeed. the revo alton
by Nicaragua. not only OF the cxequatur OF
our Consul at Greytown. Mr.. BRAIDA. but
OF that OF the British Consul. had indicated
that Nicaragua was not very well disposed
toward Great Britain.
What Is noticeable Is that some OF the
American residents at Blucfelds seem to
have desired that Capt. WATSON should
throw his influence in favor OF restoring
political status like that which was pro-
vided for under article 8 OF the treaty OF
Managua. That was an agreement made
In 1860 between Great Britain and Nicara-
qua. by which the former transferred to tho
latter her old claim of a protectorate over
the Mosquito Coast. stipulating at the same
time that this coast should continue to be
governed locally by its King and a council
at Bluefelds. Our Government has always
repudiated the notion that Great Britain
ever possessed any such claim worth re-
nouncing. 30 that for us now to bring the
latter to book for alleged failure to live up
to the third article OF the Managua treaty
would be doubly preposterous. The main
point has been to see that even Great Brit
ain did not attempt to interfere politically
with the Mosquito Coast by virtue OF that
third article.
However. the business interests OF the
little American colony at Blueheds are not
necessarily In conflict with our diplomatic
traditions and doctrines. While the United
States cannot be expected to ask Nicaragua
why she does not respect the treaty Of
Managua. yet it may be possible to show
that vested interests Of Americans. founded
on long-established local solf-government.
should not be overthrown or encroached
upon. The whole difficulty appears TO be
that the development OF the fruit trade has
at length caused Nicaragua to be dissatis-
fed with holding merely an unproductive
sovereignty over the Mosquito Coast. and
to covet the control OF its industries. Tho
planters and traders naturally prefer
the simple. easy-going Mosquito rule. with
its great probability OF smaller expenses.
lighter taxes. and fewer restrictions. and
perhaps would care very little whether
they got this In virtue OF the Managua
treaty or OF the MONROE doctrine. or with
out dependence on either. But whatever the
form Of local rule finally settled upon. 1t is
satisfactory to learn that Nicaragua has
not forfeited the esteem OF the United
States. or further complicated a political
situation sufficiently trying. by entering
into any arrangements with Great Britain
that are contrary to the well-known Ameri-