Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-04
THE PRESIDENT

FROM THE PRESIDENT
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PACED
themselves and other jewellers within it,
lsmita The so-cailed native government.
which grew to be largely made up OF
aliens for many years disputed the SOW.
cre!gnty Of Nicaragua over the strip ana
claimed the right 90 maintain there
practically Independent municipal govern.
ment. Early IN the past year. enorts Q"
ahe part OF Nicaragua to maintain sow.
eeignty over the Mosquito Territory sed
60 serious disturbances. eliminating ia
Che suppression Of the native govern.
ment and the attempted substitutes Va
an impracticable composite admin'stra-
zion, In which Nicaragua ana amen resi-
dents were to participate.
Failure was followed by an insurrecuon'
which for n time subverted Nicaraguan
rule. expelling her officers ana restoring
The old organization. This. In turn. gave
place TO the existing local government,
ostsblished and upheld by Nicaragua
Although the alien interests arrayed
against Nicaragua I'm these transactions
have been largely American. ana the COM
merce OF that region for some time has
been and still IS chiefly controlled by our
citizens, we cannot for that reason chal-
lenxe the rightfui sovereignty OF Mica
ragua over this important part OF her
domain.
For some months one. and. during part
Of the time two. of our naval ships have
beer stationed at Bluehelds for the pro-
tcction Of all legitimate interests OF our
citizens.
In September last the government at
Managua expelled from its territory
twelve or more foreigners, including TWO
Americans. for alleged participation In
che seditious or revolutionary movements
against the republic at Bluehelds already
mentioned, but through the earnest re-
Snonstrance Of this government the two
Americans have been permitted TO return
10 the peaceful management or their
business. Our naval commanders AT tne
peene OF these disturbances, by their
constant exhibition Of frIpness and good
Judgment. contributed largely to the pre-
wention OF more serious consequences, and
10 the restoration OF quiet and order.
I regret that In the midst Of these oc-
currences there happened a most grave
md Irritating failure OF Nicaraguan JUS.
sice. An American citizen named Wilson
residing at Rama, In the Mosquito terri
tory. was murdered by one Argyello. the
scting-governor Of the tom. after some
Nelsy the murderer was arrested. but was
10 insecurely confined or guarded that he
escaped. and. Notwithstanding our re-
peated demands. 1t is claimed his re-
rapture has been impossible. by reason
Of his flight beyond Nicaraguan Jurisdic-
tion.
The Nicaraguan authorities. having
given notice OF forfeiture OF their con-
ression TO the canal company, on grounds
purely technical, and not embraced in the
contract, have recoded from that position
Peru. I regret to say, shows symptoms
of domestic disturbance, due probably to
the slowness OF her recuperation from the
distressss OF the war OF 1881. Weakened
in resources. her difficulties In facing in
ternatiopal obligations invite our kindly
sympathy. and justify our forbearance in
pressing long-pending claims. / have felt
constrained to testify this sympathy In
connection with certain demands urgently
preferred by other powers.
RUSSIA.
The recent death of the Car Of Russia
Failed forth appropriate expressions OF
sorrow and sympathy on the part of our
government with his bereavsd family and
The Russian people. AS further demon
straton of respect and friendship, our
Minister at ST. Petersburg was diracted
20 represent our government at the fune-
fal ceremonies.
The sealing interests OF Russia in
Bering Sea are second only to our own.
"A modus vivendi has, therefore been
concluded with the Imperial Government
restrictive OF poaching on the Russian
Jookeries, and Of sealing in waters which
were not comprehended In the protected
area defined In the Paris award.
Occasion has been found to urge upon
the Russian Government equality OF
treatment for our great life insurance
companies whose operations have been
extended throughout Europe Admitting,
as we do, foreign corporations to transact
business In the United States, We natu-
rally expect no less tolerance for our
OWN In the ample fields Of competition
abroad.
But few cases OF interference with natu-
rallied citizens returning TO Russia have
been reported during the current year.
One, krzeminski. was arrested last sum-
mer In a Polish Province on q reported
charge OF unperrnitted remuneration OF
Russian allegiance. but 1t transpired that
the proceedings originated In alleged NAL
feasance committed by Krzeminski, while
an Imperial official q number Of years
ago. Efforts for his release. which pro-
missed 10 be successful. were In progress,
when his death was reported.
SALVADOR.
The Government OF Salvador having
been overthrow by an abrupt popular
outbreak. certain Of its military and civil
officers, while holly pursued by Infatuated
insurgents. sought refuge on board the
United States warship Bennington, then
lying In q Salvadorean port. Although the
practice Of asylum is not favored by this
government, yet in view OF the imminent
peril which threatened the fugitives, and
solely from considerations OF humanity,
they were afforded shelter by our naval
nt.sa eat1o nj
manded under our treaty Of extradltlon
with Salvador for trial on charges OF
murder. arson, and robbery, 1 directed
that such of them as had not voluntarily
left the ship be conveyed to one OF our
nearest ports. where a hearing could be
had before a judicial officer In connpli-
nnce with the terms of the treaty. on
their arrival at San Francisco such a
proceeding was promptly Instituted before
United States district judge. who held
that the acts constituting the alleged
offences were political and discharged
all the accused, except one. Cienfuegos,
who was held for an attempt TO murder
Thereupon, I was constrained to direct
his release. for the reason that an attempt
charged against him. and upon which his
surrender TO the Salvadorean authorities
had been demanded.
SPANISH EXACTIONS.
Unreasonable and unjust fines imposed
by Spain on the vessels and commerce of
the United States have demanded from
time to time during the last twenty years
earnest remonstrance on the part OF our
government. In the immediate past, ex-
brilliant penalties have been imposed upon
Dur vessels and goods by the customs au-
thorit.es Of Cuba and Porto Rico for
clerical errors OF the most trivial char
Rcter In manifests or bills OF lading. In
BONE cases fines amounting to thousands
OF dollars have been levied upon cargoes.
or the carrying vessels. when the goods In
question were entitled 10 free entry. Fines
have been exacted even when the error
had been detected and the Spanish au-
thorities notified before the arrival OF the
goods in port. This conduct is In strange
contrast with the consderate and liberal
treatment extended to Spanish vessels and
cargoes in our ports In like cases.
No satisfactory settlement Of these
yexatous questions has yet been reached.
The Mora case, referred to In my last
annual message, remains unsettled From
the diplomatic correspondents on this sub