The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-13
NICARAGUA MUST TREAT
MOSQUITO INDIANS WELL
Great Britain Determined that the
Republic Shall Act with
Fairness.
WARSHIP IS ON THE WAY

WASHINGTON, April 12.-Frction, il is
learned. is again developing between Great
Britain and Nicaragua over the Mosquito
coast. which since the early sixties has
been matter OF contention between the
London government ard the Central Amer
lean republic The Associated Press is in
formed that the London authorities once
more will protest against any violation of
the Zaledon-Wike treaty OF 1850, by the
terms of which her Britannia Majesty
agreed TO recognize the sovereignty Of the
republic of Nicaragua over the country
hitherto occupied claimed by the Mos
quito Indians, the British protectorate over
this territory ceased, and in return the
Nicaraguan government pledged itself to
assign the Mosquito reservation TO the In
dans and grant them certain rights of local
autonomy. While the negotiations for n
Nicaraguan canal were pending during the
last few years the British government was
averse to pushing the Mosquito question.
With the ratification of the Hay-Bunau-
Varila canal treaty the London authorities
believe the time is suspicious to settle the
question with Nicaragua. Accordingly the
London government has informally men,
toned It's intention to the State Depart
ment officials and prepared to convey for
nal official assurance that il has no in
tention or desire of asserting any right of
sovereignty or protection over the MOSQUITO
territory, but on the contrary, respects the
full and paramount sovereignty o. the gov
ernment of Nicaragua.
The sole wish of the British government.
ii is stated, is TO bring Nicaragua to a
realization of the treaty obligation she IS
under to deal with the Mosquito Indians
with justice and give to them those rights
which Nicaragua promised they should at
all times enjoy.
A number of Mosquito Indians have ar
rived in Jamaica recently with complaints
of harsh treatment at the hands of the
NicaraSuans. They have appealed TO the
British government for redress, and in
view OF her treaty arrangement with Mica
ragua Great Britain feels constrained to
trail American authorities.
AS far as the State Department is con-
cerned il is said the purposes of the Brit
iSh government are thoroughly understood
and appreciated. IT is stated that, while
the LONDON government is constrained TO
act with firmness, there will be no haste
about its actions. Diplomacy, il is earn
estly hoped. will accomplish all that is
desired but significance is attached TO the
dispatch received to-day from Jamaica that
the British warship Retribution had left
that port for Bluefields to settle the dis
pute between the Nicaraguan authorities
and the Cayman turtle fishermen, and also
to arrange for the release of schooners
seized by the Nicaraguan government and
Of the crews that have been imprisoned al
GracioS a DioS.
Knowing the promptness of South Ameri-
can republics to appeal TO the United States
for succor the ground that the Monroe
doctrine Is infringed, his Majesty's ambas-
sador has been careful 10 make absolutely
clear TO the officials here the wishes of his
government in the matter, and there APP
pears at present no possibility of the United
States concerning itself in the controversy
unless IL tender its good offices in the in
tereSt Of satisfactory settlement.