New-York tribune., 1894-03-26
A DEAL AT BLUEFIELDS.
RUMOR OF AN ENGLISH INTRIGUE WITH
THE NICARAGUANs.
CORN ISLAND AN IMPORTANT POINT, SAID II
HAVE BEEN GIVEN Up TO THE BRITISH
CONSUL SEAT COMES TO LAY THE
MATTER BEFORE THE WASH

INGToN AUTHORITIES.
New-Orleans. March 25.-Late advices from Blue
fields say that the English warship Cleopatra has
been relieved by the Canada. and the marines from
the Cleopatra have resigned their positions as city
police to the marines OF the newly arrived English
cruiser. Lacayo is stn in command OF the Reser
walton. and the establishment of a Government Is
at an absolute standstlll. Rumors OF different
Kinds are numerous but the Americans generally
believe that most important trade has been made
between Lacayo and Captain Howe commander of
the Cleopatra When the Cleopatra arrived, Cap
tain Howe asserted that he looking after the
interests of the natives of the Reservation. which
under the Managua treaty of 1850. was his duty
The rumor which has been generally circulated is
that Captain Howe made deal with Commissioner
Lacayo in which Lacayo left in absolute pos
session of the Reservation. and the English in
turn received Corn Island. This island is situated
about thirty miles from BlueheIds and sixty miles
from the mouth of the San Juan River. and the
mouth of the Nicaragua Canal. This island was
selected by the United States coang station
and IS directly the route Of vessels sailing TO
and from the mouth OF the Nicaragua Canal.
Whether this rumor is correct is not positively
known. but the Cleopatra has been removed from
Buefelds and the British Consul states that she
has sailed TO Corn Island. On the arrival Of the
Canada, the marines were sent ashore. but on last
Tuesday the day the John Wilson set sail for New
Orleans, these troops being removed All
these facts have increased the Americans belief
that the is true. and they prevailed upon the
American Consul at Bluefelds to come to the
United States and lay the entire matter before the
people at Washington Consul Seat arrived here
to-day with that mission In view. meeting or
citizens held in Bluefelds about two weeks
ago. and two deleEates-Consul Il. il. Seat and
Samuel weil-were selected TO represent the Amer
lean interests.
In the course OF an interview. Consul Seat said
that the first agreement which was arrived al De-
tween Lacayo and Captain Howe IN regard to a
provisional government failed to suit the ideas OF
the Americans Lacayo and Captain Howe warted
a council OF three Nicaraguans and two Americans
with Lacayo as chairman and the Americans would
not agree to this. The American Consul was TO ap-
point the members OF the council. and he selected
Samuel We'll and Samuel hampton a meeting was
held. but nothing could be agreed upon. and the
council disbanded. Another agreement was ar
rived at between the British Consul Lacayo ana
CAPTAIN Howe When the British asked Mr.. Seat
for his opinion the subject. ne replied that ne
did not think II right for council TO be com
posed OF three Spaniards and two Americans. Tie
then suggested or two delegates from the other
elements In the Reservation. but this also came TO
nothing. The Americans dil not care to be party
IN anv such agreement "a they did not know
whether it would meet with the approval Of their
country.
Mr.. Seat said further that there was an agree
ment between the Nicaraguans and the British, by
which Lacavo was left Governor OF the Reser-
vation This he was not certain Of as he was not
taken into any of the secrets OF the arrangements
which were going between the English and
Lacayo. 1t has been Lacayo's policy TO be consul
crate toward the Americans. and they have not
suffered any insults from the hands OF his troops
There hundreds Of irresponsible persons IN the
city and doubtless IL II had not been for the pres
ence ~ the marines there would have been consd-
erable boodshed There was no local government,
and men did pretty much az they pleased Nat
urally the Americans felt under Obligations 10 'he
marines. for they prevented riot.
There was q great deal OF mystery connected with
the real cause Of the fighting on the night OF the
arrival Of the British troops and 1t had never been
investigated During the ight two Spanards were
killed The presence Of an American man-oi-"ar
was absolutely necessary. and he thought il "ou'"
have a most beneficial effect upon the ehtre rese'-
walton. The commerce OF Americans amounts ~
about 100000 The reservation was built up by 'he
,roericans and their money made the place what II
is The banana interests almost entirely o"hel
by the Americans. and the Americans shouln oe
protected When the Nicaraguans arrived the ma
tves fed Ike sheep and hid themselves Il" '''7
neighboring woods. - 49,, h,s ito, that
the entire trouble an agreement be,",ti IN
eseryao as4ya Sna and nd he 1fiTn frepe inc
be quoted the subject lie maxi ,os ~" bae e.
tened by the urgent requests q the american cd ci
zens Before leaving Blueneids ne sem ,ni 10 "reg
town for Consul Brada and left him in c2htroi VI
Ruc6eIds had Instructed him to DO. he replied:
The truth is that they DO not KNOW f59 5G an an
American shin TO arrive. and they say theS VIII
readily turn over everything 10 them ,,,, .
Mr. Seat will remain In the cry unui r rriuay, "a ia, i'
he expects important papers on the stedine
Then he and Mr.. Well Will start ior W ashhs!on sn s;
In the course of the talk on Nicaragua MT Hcl.t
related an incident which happened at the Nicafa sr
qua Canal and cost the company about % %$pV' ,hne
Snyernment for some reason or other. about tlice
months ago. conlscated a lot OF properly W"mn zen
is owned by the canal company ana soih ~ ,ap iop
so 0sO outstanding the fact that the American
Consy,I protested 1t stated by some that the
Ken rsarge was on her way 10 Greyto"h 10 lhNes-
iieafe his trouble when she went TO pieces