Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-19
ORDERED TO BLUEFIELDS
The Columbia to St;rt at Once for the
South.
Fears Of Trouble Over the Mosquito
ReserHation-Our Governments At
titude On the Question.

Inc mail steamer which arrived at New
Orleans yesterday from the south brought
advices direct to Secretary Herbert by
Capt. O'Neill, commanding the L. s. s.
Marblehead, stationed at Biuefields, Mic
aragua, and these were promptly tele-
graphed to Washington. Just what Capt
O'Neill had 10 report Secretary Herbert
would not tell. but il was undoubtedly cor
roborative of the press dispatches showing
a bad state of affairs at Bluefelds. That
the Secretary regarded the matter as being
very important was shown by his action in
Immediately calling into consultation Ad-
miral Ramsay, chief of the naviga ton
bureau.and Admiral Gherardi, the command
ant OF the New York navy yard. As result
of their consultation orders were forwarded
TO Capt. Sumner of the cruiser Columbia
now at New York, to prepare the vessel at
once Tor sea, and sail for Bluehelds as soon
as ready. Coaling has already begun and
according TO the report made to Secretary
Herbert the vessel should be under way in
the course of a day or two. These orders
were undoubtedly a grievous disappoint-
ment to the Columbia's officers and men,
who had expected to take part of the New
York naval militia abroad for a week s
cruise on the coast, instead of being sent at
this season to lie roasting under a tropical
sur for an indefinite period of time.
Probable Trip.
Supposing that the Columbia gets away
from New York Saturday morning she
should arrive at Port Royal. W. L. on the
18th, and. stopping only long enough TO
take fresh supply of coal. she should be
OF Bluefelds on the following Friday or
Saturday. She cannot go into the hay
there as she draws 26 feet : inches of
water, and she will probably he Obliged TO
lie about twelve miles from the town. at
anchor in the open sea.
secretary Herbert says she will not re-
lieye the Marblehead, but that both YES
sells will remain on the station. so that one
can always be on guard while The ether
runs down to Port Linen to coal
Protection Assured
with the Columbia supplementing the
Marblehead at Bluefields there is no lilxeu-
hood of American interests suffering The
Columbia has - officers. 4UcS sailors and 10
marines aboard. and is consequently able
TO land a considerable body of sulendidly
armed and disciplined men in any emer-
gency. As Capt. Sumner of the Coium-
Dla Is Capt. O'Neils senior he will h,. in
command of the United States forces al
Bluefelds and will make the necessary
reports TO the Navy Department.
Beyond question the officials here look
FORWARD TO a movement in force by Mica
ragua upon the Mosquito reservation TO re
instate their officials, overawe the rebels
and settle the old controversy as 10 the
Ilfne bN the assertion
CT Nlcaragua's sovereignty over the reser-
walton. Our government is in full syra-
pathy with Nicaragua in this attempt and
III 1t is true. as reported, that from selfish
motives Americans have taken an active
part in the attack upon the Nicaragllan
forces they are likely TO suffer the loss of
the moral support of their own govern
ment.
Peculiar situation.
The peculiar status of the Mosquito re-
serve has for many years been a source of
embarrassment TO our government in its
relations with Nicaragua, and besides IL is
an inviting field for the interference of
European nations, which can be restrained
only by vigorous assertion of the Monroe
doctrine and is consequently apt to involve
US in trouble. So the United States would
welcome any movement by Nicaragua that
would rid us of this menace, while of
course our government will insist upon the
conservation of the interests of our citizens
doing business in the reservation and hold
ing grants from the old Mosquito govern
ment. Just what attitude Great Britain will
assume in the event that the Nicaraeuans
move on Bluefields becomes a matter of
great interest, but IL is believed that she
Will soon become reconciled to the new
order of things