The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-12
BLUEFIELDs AVID BANANA


Hsv Tr.4s Irt,re.ts Ave Ce-.pues,sa vith
Political DoetrIaest, the Mo-s,,fs Territory
WARRINGTON. April 1.-THE statement that
the NiearaRuans. on assuming control OF the
Mosquito Reserve attempted TO Increase the
export duty on bananas by n third suggests
one explanation OF the hostility Of the Ameri-
can residents to the now rulo. The proclama-
tion recently issued at Bluenelds by Madrlz,
the Nioarauuan Minister Of Foreign Affairs.
declares. II correctly reported. that all duties
and taxes on the Mosquito coast are to remain
as hitherto. thus showing that the extremely
unwise policy Of beginning the new Govern
ment By suRmentinG the burdens OF the plant
ers aud traders has been abandoned. but
there must still be some apprehension OF the
future financial purposes Of Nicaragua and
hence the foreign residents at Bluenelds try
to get guarantees against greater eNaetlons
under the form Of customs duties or taxes.
Possibly. save for this practical alienation OF
sympathy. the American residents might have
been inclined to side with Nicaragua in any
dispute with the Mosquito Government which
involved the attempt Of Great Britain to SUP
port the latter. Gen. Laoayo. the first Mica
raguan Commissioner did not conceal his
surprise at the attitude OF the American resi-
dents In opposing his prstensions and in testi-
flying their gratitude e. the commander OF the
British war vessel for landing troops. But the
matter becomes applicable with the assertion
that the Nicaraguans. on assuming control.
interiered with existing trade regulations;
for. besides the alleged attempt to Increase
the export duties. II Ia said that an alteration
vas made in the form Of invoice. Now, the
american residents had complained OF the
sSsSSS that tb", S 1hsy sydsp ~
wers. OF under the hicaraRusns.
Turning to tho attitude OF our own Govern
ment we lind that 1t has always been favorable
to NicAragua's sovereign control OF the Mos
quito coast and against any right Of England
protection Of her subisets. and herewith Of
other foreign residents. In = case Of anarchy
seHnoSedsed that Sesra qua own @ copdues
has somewhat involved the question OF her po-
.S to sn on t ,Ss sso vIs
Great Britain in 1860. because she thereby re-
ceiysd complete transfer to herself q British
shadoyy. and our own Government had re-
famous CLAYTON ,Buiwsr trsaty Of isS1 p speaks
IN . rather peculiar phrase Of Nicaragua,
but Claims q h B2t R' do
minion or authority on the Mosquito coast had |
.Seyertheiess. In ACCEPTING from C Great Brit
ain the formal transfer Of he. claim TO a pro-
sSs to sFon N sSc
agreed to pay the, Mosquito King a certain |
r.T TsS nr%s Of and o 70
subsidy before the time mentioned In the I
that fact and to the sIten, 81 0 the gses Sos
sessed BY the Mosquito Indians. and finally In
rsgua referred II to the arbitration OF Austria
This was nearly twenty Years after tho treaty |
regard to the chief point now at issue s namely,
the right q Nicaragua in the MOSQUITO terri !
ievyins either OF export or import duties i as
well as the grant OF rights over the natural |
eSs hs IN S
NfSss. . ss.rnS 81 The tsssSy
raRuas preren acts are co N Germ ed. is obvious;
foreign residents had developed the trade at
ragua's heine hound by The award. But the
point made BY our GovernmentSs that. what |
England cannot possibly have any right to q
protector there. Even assuming that Mica
q $50 ~ thu. eSeosnasd by arbitrsti f Tx
United States would never admit that that |
sS fr II tSs New wall" % c saG aoy 3s prS
this claim was elTays =, ~ infringement upon
o. such claim implies an admission that the
quito coast are complicated with the practical
trade. AZ q recen, date the Nicaraguan For:
sign Minister who MAD assumed control at
showing the Importance attached by the Gov
eminent to the troubles was endeavorlng to
nized the continuance Of local govern ment by
council, which,. however, was styled pro.
yisional. He offered two OF the seven places
In this body to Am srirans agreed that Mcara-
guam soldiers should not perform ordinary
police duties, extended the provisions OF tho
reciprocity treaty between Nicaragua and
the United States to tho Custom Houses OF tho
Mosquito reservation. and declare all exist
Ing civil and criminal laws to he still In force
But no reserved to mself the right OF veto
upon any resolution Of the provisional coun-
the laws Of Nicaragua; and ono statement Is
that he proposed 10 aproint all customs on
GERS. as well IA the Chairman OF the pro-
yisional council These terms did not suit
the Americana, in spite OF the concession
that the export duty on bananas shoul re-
m ain as before. They evidently feared that
the new NicaraEuak control prof osed would
be less favorable to their business interests
than the old system OF tho Mosquito Govern
ment.