The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-20
THE BLUEFIELDS INCIDENT.
sECRErzRY sREsBzxs REPORT SENT
TO TEE SENATE

Rriush Trseps Ls-sss Merely e Eztsps
ssTsty 70 the Rss,ssu,s OF Bi-sasiss asa
20 Chssh AuS Acts 81 visisnes-Notsi-s
t. the Nstprs OF Pretseterste Dssifss
or Iatsnasd by the Hriuss Gsverruert-
The New York Ordered % -. L-sis-
WASHINGTON. March 19.-Ths President to-
day sent TO the Senate a report from the sec-
Rotary OF State concerning the landing OF
British troops at BlueHelds. Nicaragua, In an
swer to the resolution Of the eth inst. on that
subject. Secretary Gresham In his report
says:
The state OF war which existed between
Nicaragua and Honduras recently terminated
by the success OF Nicaragua. During the con-
test twas reported that Hondurean forces had
taken possession OF Cape Gracios q Dios. .
point on the Northeastern extremity OF Mica
ragua lying on the Caribbean Sea above the
northern limit OF the Mosquito Reservation,
aud conte m plated an attack thence upon Blue
fields, the chief town OF that reservation. As
the territorial sovereign. the Government OF
Nicaragua appears to have despatched troops
to Bluenelds for the defence OF that port against
the threatened attack. and proclaimed martial
law In the territory. A conflict Of authority
ensued between the NicaraRuan agent and the
local Indian authorities. the latter denying the
right OF Nicaragua to occupy the country or
set It's power above that OF the local admins
tration established under the treaty OF Jan. %.
1880. between Nicaragua ard Great Britain.
The local authorities thsrsupon applied to
Great Britain. and the British cruiser Cleo
patra repaired to the scene and landed q force
variously stated as numbering forty or fifty
men.p Subsequently the NicaraRuan and
British troops. appear to have been withdrawn.
No time was lost in directing the Ambas-
AnrA ~ h. TatN - 90 n H.,
tain what action had been taken by her British
Maissty's Government in view OF this situa-
tion. A despatch Just received from Mr.. Bay
ard reports an Interview held BY him yesterday
with her Majestys Secretary OF state for
Foreign Affairs. Lord Kimberley. from whom IL
was learned that her Msiesty's Government
had given no instructions In the premises and
was awaiting information. which. when re-
ceived. would be fully and instantly commune
Gated to the Government Of the United States.
His lordshIp said that by q telegram Of
March 4. the British Consul at Grsytown
had Informed the British Minister ut Guate-
mala City that NicaraguAn forces had sud
denly taken possession Of BlueHelds. displac:
Ing the flag OF the Mosquito Indians, and
trsetins the Local sSutnSrites aPd inhabitants
tory. British ship OF war had visited Blue
the Mosquito Indians and restoring tranquil |
lity pending an understanding as to the aues- |
His iordship most positively rsafirmed
the declaration heretofore made on repeated |
in h' note 81 the MSsaais ~ ass
% Ms sss GhrsS LA n1Ssa
tons Of the United States for the year and
ayerred that no proteetorate oyer the Mos
.Tsd or intended TS the Britss
Bayard Is led to express his belief that the
landing OF the British force was merely to ex:
vicinity and to check spprehended acts Of vio-
lence. The loss OF the Kearsarge. while on the
no I'VE OF sns .Sn
war at the scene OF the disturbances Another
vessel Is. however. now proceeding thither.
a ~ hss arrive! may be expected In the course
The orders issued by Secretary Herbert to-
lately to St; lucia and await orders. o are re re-
zarded as significant, as Indicating that the
MOSQUITO country UNPROTECTED. again in the
sss could 3: :n KID
she Is the spesdiest and most foTmida6le YES
lbly reach 81 Lucia as soon as the San Fran
dSss snS Of
ne Administration :, had ceased to be
|
t was also known that Ambassador Bayard
lad been for several months negotiating with
ne British Government for a clearly defined
agreement upon the questions that have both
red both countrles for years. growing out Of
he Clayton Bulwer treaty. Mr.. Bayard is
probably more familiar with the whole aues-
ion than any one else. as IL was the su Ject OF |
much discussion when he was In the Senate
md also when he was Secretary of State. Dur |
ng the latter period he caused Minister Phelps
9 make representations to the British Prime |
4 inister which were materially In advance OF
he position held by any Of his predecessors.
nd which were, provoked by the increasing
interest taken by the United States in the |
Canal This. taken in connection
Nth the reference to the canal in President |
last annual message TO Congress.
indicates the importance Of the diplomatic
regulations intrusted to the Am bassador and
hows how comparatively insignificant is tho
ecent incident. Ii also seems to explain why |
he British Government did not take more ad- |
antage OF the absence Of United States yes
els. due to the loss OF the KearsarRe. and
hows. State Department officials contend, |
hat British officers took no action which |
light be construed as otherwise than helpful
D American interests
rIEsg 4