The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-10
SITUATION AT BLUEFIELDS.
Rev. Anton Arbeiter, a Returned Mis-
siOnary, Gives Some Interesting Facts.

NEW YORK, May 9.-Captain Hansen,
of the Norwegian steamer John Wilson,
from Bluefields, reports that the United
States steamer San Franc 60 and British
man-of-war Magicienne were in port when
he sailed. A large body of Ni~caraguan
troops was in the city and the government
was rapidly building a fort on the bluff.
Although matters were quiet, conditions
were such that trouble might occur at any
moment.
On board the John Wilson was Rev.
Anton Arbeiter, a missionary en- route
to Mr.. Arbeiter says that so
long as the United States or British war
ships remain on the coast the people OF
Bluefields will be safe from Nicaraguan
persecution, but should the ships be re-
moved or, under the treaty, either coun-
try order the Nicaraguans out of the res
revation, the worst is feared. II was as
sured," said Mr.. Arbeiter, ''by persons
who could not be misinformed, that posi-
tive orders had been given the Nicaraguan
soldiers to set fire to the town OF Blue
fields If they are compelled to evaciaate
it, no matter which country enforces the
evacuation, or should England and Amer
lea act together. The people, knowing that
the Nicaraguans feel that this will be the
result If the latter cannot obtain what
they propose Ito hold Bluefields for the
revenues to be obtained there, they viii
destroy it. They are jealous of its growth
over the port of Greytown. BY the treaty,
Greytown was to be a free port, but de-
spite the treaty the Nicaraguans have
been raising. duties and port charges from
year to year until they have become al
most prohibitory, and the business or
Greytown has been nearly destroyed. Blue
fields is looming up. The business uone
there is very large and four of five steam
ships load there every week, using large
launches to carry cargoes from ship TO
store and vice versa. The banana trade
all the revenue obtained from the Mos
quito shore trade, and without a shadow
of right came down and seized the place.
If they are allowed to retain il, it wifi be
a sad future for all concerned, as they
neither respect the law nor their word.
They are cruel murderers and irreligious.
There are ten thousand of the natives.
They are quiet, tractable, and are being
grounded and strengthened in the Chris
tan faith under Protestant teaching I'M
der the beneficent rule or the chief or
Mosquitoes, and If N~icaraguan misrule
takes possession there will be no more
respect for the Sabbath, for right or for
life or justice. Only the Sunday before L
killed without provocation. but simply be-
cause they did not begin work when they
had promised to do so. The soldiers who
took possession of the town hall and oc-
cupied 1t as a barracks. are rapidly de-
stroying it's interior, as they did the books
and other property contained therein when
they took possession. The townspeople.
most of whom are Americans, are over
awed because IL is futile for them to do
anything against an organized body like
the soldiers. and their only protection Is
in the strength of England and the United
States. and they are insisting on the car
rying out OF the treaty. which gives the
Mosquitoes their own government and own
officials"