Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-03
SUMMARIZED NMR. GRESHAMS LETTER
Events Which Have Occurred
Within the Last Year.
THE MURDER OF WILSON

referred resolution adopted by the Sen
ate on the 4th ultimo requesting the Pres
ident 'ff not incompatible with public in
terest to send to the Senate any reports or
correspondence relating to affairs at Blue
fields. in the Mosquito territory. and also
to inform the Senate whether any Amerf-
can citizens have been arrested or the
rights of any American citizens at Blue
fields have been interfered with during the
past two years by the government Of Mica
ragua," has the honor to submit the cor
respondence called for. that the same may
be transmitted to the Senate, should the
President deem it compatible with the pub
lie interest to do so.
Although the resolution covers affairs at
Bluefields during the past two years, the
events to which 1t relates occurred within
the last twelve months.
The Breaking Out of the War.
In December, 1893, war broke out be-
tween Nicaragua and Honduras. In jan
uary a detachment Of Honduranean troops
seized Cape 'Gracias Dios in Nicaragua,
about sixty miles above the Mosquito strip.
The Kearsarge was ordered to Bluefelds
to protect the interests of American citi-
zens but was wrecked on the way on
Roncador reef Early in February the
government Of Nicaragua sent military
force to the strip to repel the threatened
occupied the bluff, and on the 18th they
took possession of Bluefields and proclaim
ed martial law in the reservation. Against
this action Clarence, the so-calleo MOS
quito chief, protested.
War vessels Of Great Britain and later
of the United States were sent to Blue
fields to protect the respective foreign
interests in that locality. The Nicaraguan
commissioner to the reservation attempted,
with the concurrence Of the British naval
and consular representatives, to organize
.f,,sr< <;@ya Gov fha CfriYN
in which Nicaraguans and foreigners were
to take part, but the endeavor proved
abortive. This government withheld its
sanction of the scheme as inimical to the
sovereignty Of Nicaragua and American
interests at Bluefelds refrained from par
ticipating in the proposed administration.
British marines were temporarily landed
to protect life and property in view OF
withdrawn when the necessity for their
presence no longer existed. and thereafter
an American vessel sufiiced for all needs
of foreign protection.
In July last movement against the Mic
eraguan authority was temporarily sue
cessful, the so-called Indian government
was for a time restored, the Bluff cap
tured with loss Of life on the part of Mica
ragua, and the Nicaraguan garrison of
Bluefields expelled. A few citizens of the
United States who are believed to have
taken part in this instruction left the
country. Two Americans. hampton and
Wiltbank, accepted municipal Office under
the short-lived regime and they and ten or
twelve others, mostly English and Jamai-
cans were arbitrarily arrested and BAN
iShed. The urgent remonstrance of this
government and it's demand that the two
Americans be allowed a hearing and in
any event an opportunity to arrange their
affairs before expulsion resulted in per-
mission being given them to return to
Bluef1elds under pledge of good behavior.
With these exceptions, and perhaps that
OF one Ausburn, whose return was for a
short time refused, but afterward allowed,
the undersigned is not advised that Ameri-
can citizens in Bluefields have been ar
rested. Sundry complaints growing out of
Interruptions of trade and use of Ameri-
can vessels by the Nicaraguan authorities
have had proper attention and will doubt
less yield to the usual methods of treat
ment
During the period covered by the events
in question the Nicaraguan government
withdrew tie exeQuatur of Mr.. Braida, the
United States consul at San Juan del
Norte, on the ground Of his alleged I'M
friendly acts. but it was subsequently re-
stored.
The Murder of Wilson.
An unfortunate incident threatened for a
time to strait the good relations between
this government and that Of Nicaragua.
One Wilson, ar American citizen, having
temporary governor Of the town. a de-
mand for the tlial and punishment of the
criminal and his accomplice was made.
Arguello was arrested at Rama, but
escaped with the evident connivance of the
local authorities, and his rearreSt and de-
tention at Bluefelds were followed by
second escape, under circumstances indi-
eating gross negligence, to say the least,
on the part of those responsible for his
safe custody. He is said to have fed the
country, thus battling the efforts of the
proper authorities to do justice In the case.
The Nicaraguan government, however. tes-
titled Its adherence of the atrocious crime
by dismissing Torres from the office of
governor of Rama, and by sending another
commissioner to the reservation in place
of Lacayo, who was in command at Blue
fields at the time of the second escape.
The facts above stated and incidental
references to the treatment of the Ques-
ton Of the int, roceanic canal by the gov
eminent of Nicaragua appear in the cor
respondence.
It will be observed that from the begin
ming of the conflicts which at times were
serious, this government has steadily rec
ognized the paramount sovereignty of Mic
aragua over the entire reservation, yield
ing to no pretensions inconsistent with
that sovereignty.
No Real Native Government.
At no time during the last forty or fifty
years has the so-called native Indian gov
eminent IN the strip Deen real. Ou tne
contrary, it has been an alien municipal
government, administered according to
alien methods. Although Americans and
American interests have for some time
dominated in the strip, this government,
while intervening in proper cases for their
protection, has constantly disavowed any
right OF its own Of its citizens to govern
the reservation, or participate in its politi-
cal affairs. Whatever right of self-govern-
ment the Indians enjoyed under the treaty
concluded between Great Britain and Mic
aragua was to be exercised by themselves,
and not by aliens in their name. That
treaty contemplated the eventual surrender
by the Indians OF their right to govern
themselves. and other Inhabitants of the
strip, and their incorporation into the re-
public OF Nicaragua on the same footing
as other citizens of the republic"
A copy OF a convention, concluded on the
Goth OF November last. is herewith COM
municated, by which it is declared that
the Mosquito Indians, while retaining 'spe-
cial privileges" in accordance with their
customs and racial disposition" have
agreed wholly to submit to the laws and
authorities OF Nicaragua, for the purpose
of forming part OF the political and admin