Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-03
Nicaragua Wipes Out the Mosquito
Coast Reservation.
ENGLAND WILL HARDLY TOLERATE IT
The Territory Has Long Been a
Cause of Bitter Contention.
OUR CRUISERS ON HAND

The Nicaraguan government has recently
done away with the Mosquito reservation,
which has been the cause of the recent
trouble. and has Incorporated it as a state
of Nicaragua, with the name of Depart
ment of Zelaya," named after the pres-
dent of the republic. This action has been
officially communicated to the State De
partment The significance of the move
ment has attracted little public attention,
but it is stated by officials that it involves
graver considerations than the armed &C.
cupation of Corinto. Now that the latter
crisis is past, officials are turning their at
tention to what Great Britain will do to-
ward Nicaragua's course in creating the
new state. and thus directly terminating
all British authority or influence in the
old Mosquito country.
Englnnd's Present Attitude.
Earl Kimberly has already given notice
to Nicaragua that this new question will
receive the kindly consideration of her
maiestys government after the three de-
mands of the ultimatum are settled The
agreement yesterday practically settles
these demands, only one of tliem, the arbi-
tration Of damages to the property of Brit
fsh subjects, remaining to be executed.
After that will come the promise of kind
ly consideration" of Nicara gua's creation
of the state of Zelaya. out of what has
long been sort of British dependency. 1t
Is stated that the decision will settle what
further reference England intends 20 exert
In Nicaragua, as the recogniti On of the new
state of Zelaya will give Nicaragua cnm-
plete sovereignty over all her territory.
beginning of the Troubles.
The Importance of the creation of the
new state arises from the political strug-
giles since 1860 over the Mosquito country
In that year England and Nicaragua made
treaty by which Nicaragua was given
sovereignty over the Mosquito territory.
but the latter retained the right of self
government. This latter right was so
broadly construed to include coming
money, collecting duties etc. So much
trouble resulted that Francis Joseph of
Austria was called in as arbitrator in 1881.
His decision was largely sentimental. 1t
allowed the Nicaraguan flag to be raised in
the country and also allowed the Mos
quito people their own flag. The conten-
ton to who governed the country con-
tinued until last year, when Nicara qua
took forcibie possession and expelled Brit
ish ConStfl Hatch, who was accused of en-
courag gine a rebellion against the Mica
raguan control of the territory. This
pulsion of Hatch and other British sub
jects has been the cause of the trouble
just settled.
England Will Probably Object.
But while the settlement has been pend
ing Nicaragua. has permanently intrenched
herself in the disputed territory and has
government. 1t is an execution of the plan
against which the British consul was
cused of melting rebellion, and for this
reason there is much apprehension as to
whether Great Britain will assent to the
obliteration of the old Mosquito country,
which was the seat of all British influence
In Nicaragua.
The new state extends along almost the
entire Atlantic coast line of Nicaragua.
The southerly portion is near Greytown.
the eastern terminus of the Nicaragua
canal. and this fact has given the country
Its chief Importance. Now that it is
Nicaragua state Consul Hatch will have
to be accredited direct to the Nicaragua
government. and not to the Mosquito au-
thorities. The return of Hatch was one
Of the terms insisted on by Great Britain.
United States Cruisers In NicnraGunn
Ports.
It is expected that two United States
warships will be anchored in Nicaraguan
ports within three days at the most. The
Alert left Panama Wednesday and is due
at San Juan del Sur, near the western
terminus of the canal, tomorrow. The At
lanta, which has been ordered to Grey
town. at the east end of the canal, sailed
from Key West for that port yesterday
and is confidently expected to make the
under ordinary speed by Monday. AS
has been already stated in The Star, these
vessels are sent to Nicaragua solely for the
protection of American lives and property
along the route of the canal, which would
be undoubtedly a scene of trouble in the
event of a revolution A result of the
seizure of Cornto by British forces. The
anticipated peaceful settlement of the dis
pute between Great Britain and Nicaragua
Increases, rather than removes, the possi-
bility of internal dissensions. The At
lanta will shortly be reinforced at Grey
town by the cruiser Montgomery. now at
Mobile, Ala which is under orders to sail
OIL the 1th instant with the engineer COM
mission which is to make a thorough sur
yey of the canal route from end to end
These three ships regarded as ample
for the full protection of United States in
tereSts in that country in any emergency
resulting from the present situation.