Omaha daily bee., 1907-04-28
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IN the first rcvoluuou wnlra eatayusneu
Nicaragu guam sovereignty over the Mosquito
Indians
Little by little the Nicaraguaus estab-
lished themselves in Bluehelds. Their first
rtep was to build a club house-the Central
American has a weakness for clubs-the
most imposing structure in the town. II
he sure II was OF wood. but It was pain ed
In represent marble, and commanded much
respect. Little by little The town gained
in population all Nicarnruan and all resi-
dents IN the immediate vicinity OF the club
Then one fine morning the Indians
awakened to find a Nicaraguan warship
in the hnrbor. and the streets overrun
with Nicaraguan soldiers. The club which
instantly changed its name to the Palace,
an institution equally dear 20 the Central
American, was the fortified headquarters
OF the invaders. The Indians lost their
heads in the excitement, and not until
night came and they were urged TO tight, it
is said, by the Americans, who saw their
cherished tariff concessions in peril, did
they mako any resistance.
"They attacked the palace and gained
entrance to IT, destroying it's interior and
furnishings. But the Indians 0turally
peaceful. fought only when tad on.
ing the struggle, the Americans deter
mined to get into the band wagon. Gain
ing the top Of hill with all the indians
assembled below him, the leading American
of the town addressed them:
Are you prepared to fight?' he asked.
" No. chorused back the Indians
Then give up. You will only hurt your
selves by resisting further. II you yield
now, you can secure concessions II you
continue to fight you will secure nothing
and the end will be just the same. II you
can't fight. quit
'The Indians quit and the Nicaraguan
flag was raised over the Mosquito Reserve.
THE government could not be convinced
that the Americans were not at the bottom
of the resistance that had been made. Be-
sides It needed money, and the easiest
way It knew to get 1t was TO pile the duty
on the imports.
''Then the merchants decided to rebel
and planned a characteristic Central Amer
ican coup. Their scheme was to have
revolution in Bluehelds, restore the Mos
quito Indians 20 their own and establish
General Riaz a malcontent with oonsid-
cradle following, as president.
General Riaz was to receive $4,000 for
his trouble. The schemers were somewhat
disconnected, however, when In the midst
of their conferences at the American club
the United States consul, Mr.. Clancy.
walked in on them.
When this wild scheme goes through,
he said, you forfeit the protection OF the
United States flag That is all l have TO
say,
General RaE a few days later found
himself in possession OF the town, estab-
lished a palace and issuing all sorts of
ali To-
a day or two. Then General RiaE's curios-
ity got the better of him and he wanted
to see what President Zelaya was going
70 do about IT,
"The little steamer San Jacinto was
equipped with the necessary supplies. With
General Riaz on board the San Jacinto
started boldly out OF the harbOr to see
what II could see.
Before II had proceeded far It saw
Just as much as IL wanted to. Two Near
aguan warships were sighted, which to
the little San Jacinto with its one little
gun took on huge proportions. Immediately
the San Jscinto turned back and started
for Bluehelds.
by the time II reached that haven two
things had happened-its coal had given
out and the enthusiasm Of Its hackers
had subsidized. They refused to supply the
boat with more coal TO carry on this war.
Helpless in the face Of this rebuff. Gen
erRl RiaE gathered together the remnants
OF his loyal troops, took them on the
San Jacinto with him and made for safety.
He Was pursued, but reached Monkey
Point in safety. where he was obliged 70
go Ashore. Without food other than that
AFFORDED by the jungle. his followers found
II dismal work revolutionns. Ha-f starved
and completely subdued In spirit they
made their way one by one back to Blue
fields, so glad to be home that they didn't
care what government they were under.
General Riaz performed the customary
act OF feeing the country. He was Obliged
20 sell his beautiful hnca. OF country
home, and has never returned 10 his native
land. HIS friend and confederate. DR..
Pedro andre FuTnes Diaz, a Spanish ply
sician and warm friend OF the AmerI-
cans. shared his exile.
After the Riaz hssco the government
was more severe than ever in the matter
Of duties levied on the goods OF American
merchants. and al appeals TO have them
reduced were met with curt rshlsaJs.
The native Nicaraguans are a gentle
natured, kind hearted people. They are
Industrious and have a deep pride OF race
They are uneducated. for they have no
public schools. The government will not
permit anything but Spanish to be taught.
and as no one can understand that Ian
guage neither teachers nor pupils can be
found
The government trades on this ignor-