Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-01-04
AFFAIRS AT nLuEFIELDs.

300 pages Of cores pOndence relatiVe "
B.usdelds, summarized in the following
letter from Secretary Gresham 10 Inc
President:
In December, 1898, war broke out
between Nicaragua aud Honduras IL
January a detachment OF Honourlan
troops seized Cape Gracios A dos 10
Nicaragua, about 60 miles above the
MESQUITE strip The hesrsarge was
ordered to Blueieds TO protect the IN
terests OF American citizens, but was
wrecked on the way on Roncador reel:
Early ia February the government OF
Nicaragua sent military force 10 the
strip TO repel the threateged INVASION
On February l the Nicaraguans occu-
MED the bluff, and on the 18th they
took possession OF Bluefelds ana pro-
claimed martial law in the reservation
Against this action Clarence, the So
called Mosquito chief, protested.
WAR vessels OF Great Britain ana
later OF the United States. were sent TO
B,ueields to protect the respective Tor
eign interest in that locality. The Me
araguan commissioner TO the reserya-
ton attempted. with the concurrence
OF the British naval and consular repre-
sentatiyes, 70 organize a provisional
administration for the strip, IN which
Nicaraguans and foreigners were TO
take part, but the endeavor proved
abortive. THIS government withheld
it's sanction Of the scheme as inimical
10 tue sovereignty Of Nicaragua AID
American interests az Bluehelds and
refrained from participating In the pro-
posed 40 ministration. British marines
were temporarily landed TO protect Ire
aud property In view OF threatened dis
turbance, but they were withdrawn
when the necessity for their presence
no longer existed, aud thereafter an
American vessel suficed for all needs OF
foreign protection.
In July last, q movement against
the Nicsraguan authority was temper
arily successful, the sO-cailed Indian
government was for time restored,
the Bluff captured wit h loss OF life on
the part OF Nicaragua, and the Near
ayuan garrison Of Bluefelds expelled.
A few citizens OF the United States who
we're believed TO have taken part 10
this insurrection left the country. Two
Americans, Hampton ADD Wiltbank, &C
cepted municipal Office under the snort
lived regime, and they and 10 or II
others, mostly English and Jamaicans
were arbitrarily arrested and banished.
The urgent remonstrance of this gov
ernment and its demand that the two
Americans be allowed q hearing, aud In
any event an opportunity to arrange
their affairs before expulsion, resulted
in permission being given them TO re-
turn 10 Bluefelds under pledge OF good
behavior. With these exceptions, and,
perhaps. Of one Ausburn, whose return
for a short time was refused, but after
ward allowed, the undersigned Is not
advised that American citizens In Blue
fields have been arrested. Sundry com
plants growing out Of interruptions OF
trade and use OF American vessels by
the Nlcaraguan authorities have had
proper attention, and will doubtless
Weld 10 the usual methods OF treat
ment
During the period covered by the
events in question, the Nlcaraguan gov
eminent Withdrew the eXeQuatur OF Mr..
Braida, the United States Consul at san
Juan del Norte, on the ground OF hts
alleged uDfriendly acts, but was su6se-
Quently restored.
IAN unfortunate incident threatened
for a time 20 strain the good relations
between this government and that OF
Nicaragua. Que Wilson, an American
citizen, having been murdered at RAN
ba ArgueliO, the temporary governor or
the town, demand for the trial and
punishment OF the criminal and his ac-
completes was made. Arguella was ar
rested al Rama, but escaped, with the
evident connivance Of the local authOri-
ties, and his rearreSt and detention at
Bluehelds was followed by a second es-
cape, under circumstances indicating
gross negligence, to say the least, on the
part OF those responsible for mis- safe
custody He is said 70 have fled the
country, thus battling the efforts Of the
proper authorities 20 do justice in toe
case. The Nicaraguan government,
however, testi tied its adherence OF the
atrociouS crime by dismissing Torres
from the office Of governor Of Rama,
aud By sending a commissioner 10 the
reservation 10 place Of Lacayo, who was
in command az Bluefelds at the time Of
the Sc cOnd escape.
at will be observed that from the
beginning OF the conflicts, which at
times we're serious, this government has
steadily recognized the paramount SOW
ereignty Of Nicaragua over the entire
reservation. At DO time during the
last forty or fifty years has the so-called
native Indian government ad ministered
according TO alien methods. Although
Americans and American interests
have sometimes dominated in the strip,
this government while intervening in
proper cases for their protection, has
constantly disavowed any right OF us
own or Of us citizens to govern
the reservation or participate in It's
political affairs. Whatever right of
self-Eovernment the Indians enjoyed un-
DER the treaty concluded by Great Brit
ain and Nicaragua was TO be exercised
by themselves and not by aliens Ia their
name. That treaty contemplated the
eventual surrender by the Indians OF
their strip, and their incorporation
into the republic OF Nicaragua on the
same footing as other citizens Of the
republic"
"Great Britain, il is proper 10 say,
has given this government most posi-
tive assurance that she asserts no rights
OF sovereignty or protection over the
territory, out on the contrary respects
the full and paramount sovereignty OF
the government OF Nicaragua.
West Virginia Portal Affairs.
S-e~iGl 90 ne RsJiFis-.
WASHINGTON, D. c., January a.
pos+-,asters eDDofntad philiD Sim