Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-12-06


concerning instructions 10 be given 10
the naval commanders of the two gov
ernments in Eehring sea and the con-
1 tlglous North Pae.hc ocean, for their
| guidance in the execution of tie award
OF the Paris tribunal of arbitration and
the enforcement Of the regula tons pre-
scribed, for the protection OF seal life
IN the waters mentioned. An under
st ,nding has also been reached for the
payment by the United States of S425.-
coo. in full satisfaction of al claims
which may be made by Great Britain
fol damages growing out OF the con-
troversy as to fur seals in Behring sea.
or the seizure of British vessels en-
gagged in taking seal in those waters.
THE BLUEFIELDs DIFFICULTY.
prominent among the questions of
the year was the Bluefields incident, In
what is known as the Mosquito Indian
strip, bordering on the Atlantic Ocean
and within the jurisdiction of Near
aqua. BY the treaty of 1860 between
Great Britain and Nicaragua the for
mer government expressly recognized
the sovereignty of the latter over the
strip, and a limited form Of self-gov-
eminent was guaranteed TO the Mos
quito Indians. 10 be exercised accord
ing to their customs, for themselVe s
and other dweliers within their limits
The so-cailed native governmentwhich
grew to be largely made up Of aliens,
for many years disputed the right to
maintain therein a practically inde-
pendent municipal government.
Early in the past year efforts Of
Nicaragua TO matain sovereignty over
the Mosquito territory led to serious
disturbances eliminating in the sup
preston 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 fol-
lowed by an insurreetion which for a
time subverted Niearaguan rule, ex-
polling her officers and restoring the
old organization, This, in turn. gave
place to the existing local government
established and upheld by Nicaragua.
Although the altn interests array
ed against Nicaragua in these transac-
tions have been largely American. and
the commerce of that region for some
time has been largely and still is chief
ly controlled by our citizens. we cannot
for that reason challenge the rightful
sovereignty of Nicaragua over this I'M
portant part Of her domain.
For some months one. and during
part of the time two, OF our naval
ships have been stationed at Bluefields
for the protection of all legitimate in
terests of our citizens. In Septe mber
last the government at Managua ex-
PEELED from it's territory twelve or more
foreigners. including two Americans,
for alleged participation in the sedi-
tious or revolutionary movements
against the republic but through the
earnest remonstrance OF this govern
ment the two Americans have been
permitted to return TO the pe0cefui
management of their business.
~'our naval commanders at the scene
of these disturbances. by their com
slant exhibition Of iirmness and good
Judgement. contributed largely TO the
prevention Of more serious conse-
auences and to the restoration OF quiet
and order. ! regret that in the midst
OF these occurrences there happened a
most grave and irritating failure OF
Nicaraguan justice.
HOW JUSTICE MIsCARRIED.
AN American citizen named Wilson,
iltSthlllS al istAit<A- III AAAt h'AAHAh'
territory, was murdered by one Argu-
clio, the acting governor OF the town.
After some delay the murderer was
arrested. but so insecweR confined or
guarded that ne escaped ana notwith-
standing our repeated demands ii is
claimed that his recapture has beer
impossible by reason of mis- flight be-
yond Nicaraguan jurisdiction"
The president then refers with sor-
row to tile death OF Gar Alexander,
and states that Two American citizens
were imprisoned in his country. but
that both were releasd through Secre-
tary Gresham's Interference. He then
speaks of and deplopes the semi-weekly
revolutions in S'sMth American states.
and then takes mp the Spanish out
RACES upon American vessels. He says
TROUBLES WITH SPAIN.
unreasonable and unjust fines i'm
posed by Spain en- the vessels and
commerce of the United States have
dema SIDED from time to time during
the last twenty years earnest remon-
STRANGE on the part of our government |
I'm the Immediate past exorbitant pen !
alties have been imposed upon our yes |
sells and goods by customs authorities |
If Cuba and Porto Hico for clerical er- |
-ors of the most trivial character in |
he manifests or bills of lading. In 4
some cases fines anne uniting to thou |
lands Of dollars have been levied upon
,argoes or the carrying vessels when
he goods in question were entitled TO
rec entry. Fines have been exacted
wen when the error had been detected
ind the Spanish authorities notified
,efore the arrival of the goods in port
This conduct Is in strange contrast
Sith the considerable and LIBERAL treat
uent extended 10 Spanish vessels and
.argoes in our ports in like cases. No
settlement OF these vexa-
iUas questions has yet been reached.
THE Mora case. referred TO in my
asst annual message, remains uhset-
led From the diplomatic correspond
nee on this subject, which has been
aid before the senate. il will be sen
hat ahis government has offered L.
onclude a convention with Spain for
isposaG by arbitration Of outstanding
laims between the tufo countries. ex-
ept the Mora claim. which, having ,
cen loBg ago adjusted. BOW only