Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-07
orr FOR BLUEF|ELDS.
Cruiser Detroit Ordered There
Post-R
APPEAL FOR PROTECTION.
Americans Suffering from Arbitrary
Course Of Torres
TROUBLE ALSO IN COSTA RIGA
Insurgents Levying Forced Loans on
Americans, Besides Collecting Dou-
Bile Duties-Torres, Particularly, t.
lie brought to Taw.
lie brought to Taw.

WASHINGTON. April 6.-The cruiser
Detroit. which is now lying of IaGuayra,
Venezuela, has been ordered post
haste TO Blueneds. Nicaragua, for the
protection of American interests In tnat
quarter. on the way she will touch at
Port Limon Costa Rica. where her COM
mander will put himself in communication
with the United States Consul at that
port, and where he also may receive
further instructions. She Is also likely to
make a very brief stop at Greytown.
Her dispatch under hurry orders IL at
the urgent request of the State Depart
ment. TO which American residents. both
at Blueflelds and in Costa Rica. have ap-
pealed for the protection OF American in.
terests. The arbitrary and extortionats
policy adopted by General Torres, at
Bluefelds. who on more than one occa-
sion has made himself persona non grata
10 this government. and whose restora-
ton TO power at this time has been fol-
lowed by acts which American residents
resent and protest against. is the main
cause of the vessels dispatch.
PROTEST AGAINST TORRES.
The state Department. at the same
time. has cabled Instructions to the United
States diplomatic representative at Blue
fields to lodge an energetic protest with
the Nicaraguan Government against tho
action OF General Torres. and disregard
Of this protest will be followed up By u
more positive step on the part Of this
government.
In Costa Rica. American business inte-
rests and residents are I'm trouble. as
result OF an insurrectionary movement.
It IS understood that 'he insurgents are
leyying forced loans on the Americans.
besides collecting exorbltant and double
duties on imports.
TORRESS EXACTIONS.
NEW ORLEANS. April Ga letter to
the Picayune from Bluehelds. Nicaragua,
dated March 23d. says: General Torres.
the special agent OF President Zelaya.
yesterday again notified the merchants
they would have but twenty-four hours
to again pay the duties which had been
paid to the treasurer OF Nicaragua who
served after the revolution began. Torres
also undertook TO prohibit the American
consular agent from cabling to Washing
ton or the President Of Nicaragua. at
Managua. lie IL IN charge OF the tele-
graph wires which TO both the capi-
tai and San Juan defSur the cable sta
tion. The American Consul. after dis
covering that 1t would be impossible To
secure satisfactory information from
Torres. withdrew. with the American
merchants. who accompanied him to tho
Palace At this meeting Torres also de-
clined TO state what steps would be taken
TO force the American merchants TO sub
nit to double charges.
TWO WARSTIIPS NEEDED.
vessel was chartered promptly, and
after considerable difficulty a clearance
was secured from Torres. and this vessel
sailed for Port LimOn, Costa Rica, with
dispatches for the government. The Con-
sui. in the dispatch. asks that at least
two warships be sent 10 Biuehelds at
once.
The next move Torres made was TO
issue a decree doubling the duties. not
withstanding the fact that the schedule
Of duties for this section Of the republic
has been fixed by law passed by con-
gress. This law has never been amended
or repealed.
Very energetic demonstration on tho
part oc the American navy Is greatly
needed,