New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-31
KT-VOES RON UEFIELDS.

HlucnrldS remains In an intense state OF "x-
element Mail adyiccS tend 10 confirm tn" ~
mort Of tn" ccssiun Of Corn Island 10 Great
Britain ~, a coalins station. This is important
If IL be- true. but We are inclined 10 diScrclit IT,
TIN. island is without Il harhor. and would not
have. any value ~ n coalng station Great
Rrtaiu with H., fortified naval stations nj Port
ROYAL AMI St Lucia. does not require Corn
Island for "A coaling yard. Moreover. Nicaragua
has nothing 20 gain 10y coling the island 10
Great Britain. The island Is included In the
domain 81 the Mos quito Reservation. but Mica
raclla took possession Of II few years ago ana
subsequently established garrison there. The
ccssion Of the island 10 Great Britain would
be resented by the United States Government,
Whose. aid the NicarnguanS desire In enabling
them to take possession Of the Mosquito RcS"r-
walton. 1t Is nor probable that any transfer Of
the island has been made.
II Is also stated that an American has been
killed at Rama. and that the foreign residents
of Bluchclds are violently opposed TO the Mica
raguan occupation. There Is 10 reason for
questioning these rlmors. Rama Is Mica
rasuan town lying on the Bluefclls River out
side Of the Reservation. II is strongly gar
risoncd. and Is the Headquarters Of the Spanish
banana-planterS. who desire the annexation OF
the Mosquito territory. Under existing condi-
lions Of excitement il Is not Improbable that
an American merchant may have been killed
there and his death would be- certain 10 excite
indignation in Blucneds. The foreigners liv-
Ing on the scaboarI are merchants engaged
largely in the banana mahogany and rubber
trade and in supplying the planters on the
river with provisions and wares Of all kinds.
With the Reservation governed, rs II has been,
by Jamaica negroes. the merchants have had
low tariff and economical administration.
If the territory be- annexed, the Nicaraguan
customs lnc will be established and high
revenue tariff imposed. The foreign residents
naturally are opposed to Nicaraguan occupa-
ton under conditions which will injurc their
trade.
There Is another aspect Of the question which
ought 10 be- considered. The Nicaraglian Gov
eminent while II has encouraged an American
CORPORATION To undertake the construction Of
the interoceanic canal has also authorized n
British company TO build Il railway from Lake
Nicaragua through the Central American forest
10 Rama This railway, with loop around
Lake Nicaragua, will connect with the West
Coast system, with Corinto as the Pacific ter
minus This project when completed will do
more to develop the resources of Nicaragua
than the completion of the canal. The natural
terminus Of this new railway will be Blue
fields, the occupation Of which by the Mica
raguans can only be a question Of time. The
present conditions OF negro domination guaran-
tecd TO the Reservation by the Treaty OF Ma
nagua cannot be prolonged indefinitely Mica
ragua will ultimately obtain control OF the Mos
quito territory, either with the consent of Great
Britain or through the Intervention Of the
United States Government.