The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-01
The NioaraRua Trouble.


The little difference that has arisen be-
tween this country and England in respect
to the Mosquito reservation may or may
not amount to a great deal England 5
ultimate purpose apparently in refusing
I to recognize Nicaragua's authority over
the Mosquito country is to gain posi-
ton which will enable her 10 have some
thing to say about the proposed Mica
ragua canal. She may be satisfied that
the canal will be constructed, and she
wants to have a voice in the control Of 1t.
/ If it should be constructed in accordance
with bills now pending in congress, this
country alone would control it. That
would not be at all agreeable TO England
It will be remembered that there was
good deal OF trouble at Bluefelds about
a year ago, at which time chief Of the
Mosquito tribe, named Clarence, was pre-
tending to have absolute authority in the
Mosquito territory. He was supported by
a lot of hlibusters and did pretty much
as he pleased, much to the annoyance
and loss Of the planters and the peaceably
disposed citizens. The Nicaraguan gov-
eminent exercised its authority and un-
dertook to be responsible for the preserva-
ton of peace and the protection of life
and property. Both England and this
country acquiesced in this action of Mica
ragua, and there has been a much more
satisfactory condition of affairs in the
Mosquito reservation during the last few
months.
Now England wants the question Of the
control of the reservation reopened at
the point where the trouble began year
ago. This country objects to reopening the
question, holding that it is practically set
tied, and that the Nicaraguan government
is doing as well in her efforts to preserve
the peace and enforce the laws as it could
be expected to do.
For nearly a century England main
tanned nominal protectorate over the
reservation. but in 1850 she gave it up.
Ten years later she ceded whatever rights
she had to Nicaragua. This arrangement
was made acceptable to the chief of the
Mosquito tribe by the payment of the sum
of $1,000 year, which sum was to be paid
for ten years. The chief died four years
after the agreement was made, and Mica
ragua held that his successor had no
valid title to the position, and hence re-
fused to recognize him. The reservation,
however continued to be ruled by chief
chosen by the tribe until a little over
year ago, when Nicaragua, fearing that
if she neglected to exercise her treaty
rights there might be trouble in respect
to her Nicaragua canal concessions, deter
mined to administer the affairs of the res
ervation herself.
The proposition of England to reopen the
the question at the point where Nicaragua
began to exercise her treaty rights and
assert her authority would seem to indi-
cate a purpose not to recognize Mica
ragua's right to administer the affairs of
the reservation, and to re-establlsh her
own authority there. If that is her pur-
pose she can have but one object in view
the one already pointed out-namely. the
gaining of a position from which to de-
mand recognition in the affairs Of the pro-
posed Nicaragua canal.
This government will hardly consent to
let England have her own way in this
matter. In fact. it seems to be pretty
we'll understood that this government
will insist that Nicaragua's control III
the reservation shall not be disturbed.