The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-04

stream flows internationally yielding 1T
tie water during the dry months 10 the
irrig iiing channels ale lady constructed
along its course. This scarcity iS often
severely felt In the regions where the
river forms common boundary. More
over the frequent changes In us course
through level sands often RAISE eHitar-
raising questions Of territorial jurisdic-
tlOn.
THE BLUEFIELD's ISciD NJ.
Prominent among the questions OF the
wear was the Bluenelds incident, III what
Is known as the Mosquito lhdldh stIly
bordering on the Atlantic ocean, ami
within the jursdicuOn oil NlCarae "a ~. 10y
the treaty OF 1879, between Great brltaiH
and Nicaragua the former BoNeinhleht
expressly recognized the soverelsny .,
the latter over the strip, ana a ili ili.iti
form of SELF government VAS guarantees
10 the Mosquito Indians, 10 be exeIcised
according to their customs, lot theIH-
selves ana other dWelers Wlthlh us
limits. The so-called native government;
which grew TO be largely made up OF
aliens Tor many years. disputed the so'-
eTeignity of Nicaragua over the strip,
and claimed the right to maintain there
Practically Independent municipal %overn-
ment. Early in the past year, emorts OF
nicaragua 10 maintain sovereignty over
the Musquito territory led TO serious
disturbances eliminating i'm the suppress
SION Of the native government and the at
tempted substitution Of an impra ticab!e
composite administration, ia which Mica
ragua and alien residents were TO partici-
pate.
Failure was followed by an insurrec-
ton, which, for time subverted Mica
raguan rule. eXpelling her officers and
restoring the old OrganiZa lion. This, IN
turn. gave place TO the existing local
government established and upheld by
Nicaragua.
Although the alien interests arrayed
against Nicaragua In these transactions
have been largely American, and the
commerce Of that region for some time
has been and still is chiefly controlled
by our citizens. We cannot for that red-
son challenge the rghtfui sovereignty Of
NICARAGUA over this important part OF
her domain. For some months, one, and
durng part Of the time. two of our naval
ships nave been stationed at Blueflelds
for the protection Of all legitimate in
tetests Of our citizens. In september
last the government at Mdndgua eX-
PEELED from its territory twelve or more
foreigners, including two Americans, for
alleged participation in the seditiOus or
revolutionary movements against the Re-
public at Blueitelds already mentioned,
but through the earnest remonstrance OF
this government. the two America-t
have been permitted to return 10 the
peaceful management Of their business.
our naval commanders al the scene Of
these disturbances by their constant eXhi-
bitiOn of nrmncSS and good judgment
contributed largely 10 the prevention Of
more serious consequences and TO the
restoration Of quiet and order. ! regret
that in the midst or these occurrences
there happened d most grave and irritat-
Ing failure of Nicaragudn justice. An
American citizen named Wilson, residing
at Rama, IN the Mosquito territory, was
murdered by one ArgyellO, the acting
governor Of the town.
After some delay the murderer was ar
rested, hut so insecurity conhnef or
guarded that he escaped, and notwth.
standing our repeated demands, IL is
claimed his reCapture has been impOssi-
BILE by reason Of his fight beyond MICA
raglan jurisdiction.
The Nicaraguan authorities having Civ
on notice Of forfeiture of their conces-
sion 20 the canal company on grounds
purely technical and not embraced I'm
the contract. have reeded from that
position.
Peru, ! regret TO say, shows symptoms
Of domestic disturbance, due probably
to the slowness Of her recupeTation from
the distresses Of the war Of 1881. Weak
eHed in resources, her difficulties in fac
ing international obligations, invite our
kindly sympathy and Justify our forbear-
ance ia pressing long pending claims
] have felt constrained 10 testify this
sympathy i'm connection with certain de-
mands urgently preferred by other pow
erS.