The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-05

uhY when on inc DTeNtHtt JIM war Win NObNA
Rica-a war In which there was no lighting
had nut him to considerable expense. Zelaya
clapped on a 100 per cent extra duty on oil
| goods without giving an hours notice.
There has been disafsotion ever since the
Nicaraguans have been in Bluefelds, Tho
new tariff was more than the merchants and
business mon OF the country we're prepared TO
stand and they became convinced that they
must strike now or submit to further eXac-
lions from Zelaya. Tie moveme nt was well
planned, but tho rising came prematurely. Tho
Governments OF the coast country had remained
In the hands OF Gen, Reeves. The Americans
aud the foreign element generally found him
only too willing to lead a movement against
Zelaya II they would promise him their sup
port. : lie SUSPENDED the new tariff. Zelnya
sent au officer 10 relieve him Of the Governor
shin OF the province. a revolution was at once
declared and tho entire coast countrY save
Greytown was occupied without difleulty by
the Reyes forces.
All the people on the coast welcomed. the
new Government as a release from the tyranny
and war taxes Of Nicaragua. The Americans
we're naturally the most enthusiastic indeed,
the movement was practically theirs. for
Reyes would never have defod Zelaya had he
not received a promise Of their assistance
Tho natives we're equally pleased, as The new
iAhiohN AuNhAiN i'iNNi
military duty and better wages for them. Sew
eral companies Of Americans were organized
at Bluetields. composed mainly OF men mus
tered out OF the volunteer service and in
search of adventure and fighting. Cne Of
these. the Rama BOOSTERS tRama Is tho sec
ond town in size In the country, was COM
manded by one OF Roosevelt's rough riders
and another by an ex-Loulsiana volunteer.
Kennedy by name. Most OF the men under
him were from New Orleans. The revolution
lists expected considerable support from the
old Conservative or Catholic party oil the Pa
cifc slope. formerly very strong at Leon.
Granada, and ManaRua. This expectation
was disappointed. tor it seems that Zelaya has
been so active In shooting and banishlng the
Conservative lead srs that there was none left
to stert an lnsurrection He had nothing to
keep his army on The Pacific and could use &c
against Reyes at once.
The principal dependence OF the revolu-
tionlsts was upon the Americans. or the
four nen-cf-war ordered TO Bluelelds to pro-
tect foreign interests. two. the Marietta and
the Detroit. were American. 1t was thought
that their presence would have much the Same
effect as at Hawait-overawe the natives and
encourage the Americans. 1t seemed propa-
BILE. too. that the action of Xelaya in stopping
dispatches to the American Consul would
bring about more or less strained conditions
between the two republics. which would help
the revolution. AS for Gen. Reyes. he was out
spoken 10 favor OF the United States, and let
It be fully understood that II through this as
~sistAnco he became President OF the republic.
this country could get ANYTHING IL wanted in
regard to the NicP:S.da Canal. The canal is
sue was then 70 ced into the revolution. Those
who favored american ownership were friend
ly to Re-es, while those who expect to squeeze
q great deal OF money out OF this country be-
fore granting any canal privileges sided with
Zelaya.
The news of the failure OF the revolution
came suddenly and Unexpectedly. 1t was
known that it was premature; that Reyes had
neither the men nor the arms and ammunition
he needed, whereas, on the other hand. Zelaya
has kept a large and apparently well-organized