Mr. Baker to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of the United States,
Costa Rica, Nicaragua
and Salvador,
Managua, May 23, 1893.
(Received July 6.)
No. 8.]Sir: I have to report to you a very sad
condition of affairs in this Republic. For some months a conspiracy had
been forming for the avowed purpose of overturning the established
Government and installing the members of the conspiracy in control. The
fact was no secret, only the acts were hidden so far as possible. It was
well known that the 4th of May had been agreed upon as the day for the
outbreak; but at what points the blows were to be struck and who were to
lead in the revolution was not known. But some of the details of the
proposed emeute in the army becoming prematurely
public, the blow was struck on the 28th of April by the delivery to the
enemy of the military garrisons at Granada, San Juan del Stir, Rivas,
San Carlos, and other points in the east and southern portion of the
Republic, while the soldiers at Managua, Leon, and the masses of the
people inhabiting the more westerly departments remained loyal to the
Government. Five of the twelve departments, which embrace in large part
the wealthiest and most intelligent sections of the Republic, are in
rebellion. It is due to the truth of the history which is here being
made to record the fact that the foreign residents of the Republic are
almost, if not quite unanimously, in sympathy with the aims of the
revolutionists. This has made my situation the more delicate. I have, on
every proper occasion, expressed myself in no uncertain terms, as being
in full accord with, the established Government; and I have lost no
opportunity to impress upon citizens owing allegiance to the United
States their duty toward the government which gives them protection.
Several skirmishes have been fought at a barranca
about 2 miles from Masaya, a deep cut in the railroad leading to
Managua, which the revolutionists have fortified with 4 cannon behind
earthen breastworks. On the 19th instant the Government attempted to
capture this important position, but after a brisk fight lasting several
hours, and the loss on the side of the Government of many killed and
wounded, the attacking party withdrew.
The foreign residents of the city with great promptness, energy, and
liberality organized themselves into a society of the Red Cross, hired a
large building well suited for hospital purposes, filled it with beds,
the ladies making the necessary sheets, pillowcases, and changes of
clothing for the sufferers, and within five hours from the inception of
the movement they were receiving the wounded and dying. No trained
nurses were to be had, therefore all the labor as well as the
responsibility fell upon our own volunteer fellow-citizens. A number of
the native ladies, however, most generously gave valuable assistance to
the noble cause.
In view of the formidable character of the revolution, and the
destruction of life and property that must ensue, many citizens both
native and foreign have solicited with much earnestness the tender on
behalf of your minister of his good offices as a friendly mediator
between the contending parties. After much reflection, and after having
received personal assurances from the President that such a tender would
be agreeable, I addressed to him, on the 23d instant, the accompanying
paper (inclosure No. 1). I also transmit his reply, with translation
(inclosure No. 2).
It had been my purpose to start this morning for Masaya, the President
[Page 187]
having furnished a
passport and a special train for myself and suite, for the purpose, but
an unfortunate incident affecting members of the Red Gross Society
occurred, an account of which is detailed in inclosures Nos. 3, 4, and
5.
Having succeeded in adjusting this matter in a manner which will assure
me the implicit confidence of this Government to-day, I will proceed to
Masaya and Granada at an early hour to-morrow morning, accompanied by
Mr. J. F. Medina, a gentleman of culture, sense, and large means, a
native of Central America, an adopted citizen of the United States, a
banker in Paris and in several of these States. I shall also be
accompanied by Mr. William Newell, the U. S. consul at this city, who
has a large personal acquaintance with the leading men of this
country.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 8.]
Mr. Baker to
President Sacasa.
Legation of the United States,
Managua, May
22, 1893.
Mr. President: The unhappy state of
revolution in which I have found your country has been to me,
personally, as it will have been for my Government, a cause of
regret and sorrow, as the American people and our Government would
wish for your beautiful country the continued blessings of
peace.
The consequences of the present state of things have been sadly
brought home to us by the number of wounded soldiers who have come
back to the capital, and in conjunction with other foreigners I and
my family have tried to bring assistance to the unfortunate by the
establishment of a foreign hospital which is doing all it can for
the alleviation of the suffering.
To-day there seems to be a breathing spell in the deadly struggle and
I ask myself if, at this juncture, the tender of my friendly
services as mediator between the contending parties might not be a
means of bringing about a cessation of this unhappy war and be
conducive to bringing back to your country peace and prosperity.
If such services would be acceptable to you, in a spirit of broad
humanity and patriotism by which I am sure you are animated, I would
express a willingness to proceed to Masaya and endeavor to see if it
is possible to find a basis for an honorable settlement without
further bloodshed and devastation.
With assurances of sincere personal esteem, etc.,
[Inclosure No. 2 in No.
8.—Translation.]
President Sacasa to Mr. Baker.
National
Palace,
Managua, May
22, 1893.
Mr. Minister: I have received your
important dispatch of this date, which I have studied with due
attention, taking into consideration the circumstances through which
we pass.
I am aggrieved by the state of calamities that their regular conduct
of certain men, who by their position should be the most respectful
to the lawful authority, forces us to witness.
My Government, obeying the laws and animated by the best ideas for
the prosperity of the country, has not failed to use every means
conducive to give protection to all the Nicaraguans and to better
our elements of prosperity.
Trusting in the uprightness of these views, I have given my attention
to the betterment of the country only, studying everything necessary
to reach that end.
While doing this administrative work the surrender of the garrison at
Granada occurs, and with that betrayal the occurrences which your
excellency, as well as
[Page 188]
every civilized person regrets, because the serious consequences
have paralyzed the general prosperity and business of the
Republic.
In my position as ruler of the nation, nothing would be more pleasing
than to have this deplorable state of things ended, for my hope is
to have peace, based upon the respect due to the lawfully
constituted authority.
The noble sentiments of your excellency relative to the cessation of
this unfortunate state of affairs are worthy of your elevated
station and views. My Government applauds such dispositions, and has
no hesitancy in reporting to you that if you wish to go to Masaya to
start work conducive to the establishment of peace, harmonized with
the legitimate respect due to the authority and to the dignity of
the chief magistrate of the Republic, it would be very gratifying
that your excellency reach such patriotic end.
As a ruler of the nation I think the conservation of peace one of my
principal duties; and it is on this account that I give all the
orders tending to soon reestablish the empire of the law.
With the highest consideration, etc.,
[Inclosure 3 in No.
8.—Translation.]
Señor Bravo to
Mr. Baker.
Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Managua, May
22, 1893.
Mr. Minister: Mr. Frederick K. Morris has
reported to the President of the Republic, that the locomotive which
was put at the service of the hospital of the “Red Cross”
established by foreigners in this city, under the presidency of your
excellency, is in the enemy’s encampment.
The said locomotive was delivered to Mr. Morris because he asked for
it with the object of going to pick up the wounded who had not been
brought to the hospital.
The confidence which the honorable character of the persons who form
the Society of the Red Cross inspires, their position as foreigners,
and being’ presided over by your excellency, minister
plenipotentiary of the United States, was sufficient to put the
locomotive at the disposition of Mr. Morris with the certainty that
it would come back to this capital.
It has then been a surprise to the General-President to hear the
report of Mr. Morris, viz, that the locomotive remained in the hands
of the enemy and that he had to come back to the city on foot.
Your excellency made it known to the minister of fomento that Mr.
Morris was an authorized agent of the Red Cross, which made him
believe that the enemies would respect its neutrality and all the
elements which are at its service for the purpose of fulfilling its
humanitarian ends.
As your excellency will well understand, the matter to which we refer
is to my Government, under the circumstances, of great importance,
and for this reason can not be disregarded. The Government trusts
that your excellency will make all the necessary exertions so that
the locomotive be returned; and all the more as the honor of the
Society of the Red Cross is involved.
For the reasons expressed I have received instructions from the
General-President to address your excellency, so that in view of
what has happened you may be pleased to proceed in conformity with
our right in the premises.
It is gratifying to me to subscribe myself of your excellency,
etc.,
[Inclosure 4 in No. 8.]
Mr. Baker to
President Sacasa.
Legation of the United States,
Managua, May
23, 1893.
Esteemed Sir: After learning of the
unfortunate occurrence last evening, viz, the desertion by the
Government engineer to the revolutionists with a locomotive engine
which drew the train to which a car had been attached to convey a
number of the members of the Red Cross Society to the late
battlefield on a mission of mercy, I say, after hearing of this
incident, I deemed it best that I remain in the city to-day in order
to investigate fully and impartially the facts attending the affair.
[Page 189]
This course I deemed
the more imperative in view of the expressed feeling in some
quarters that this Society was in some way responsible for the loss
of the engine.
Protesting for myself absolute good faith towards the established
Government of Nicaragua, I can not be otherwise than sensitive when
even a breath of suspicion is felt in any quarter of the perfect
good faith of those with whom both myself and my daughters have
become associated in this work of mercy in which much patient labor
and money is voluntarily expended.
You must comprehend that the insinuation that I and those associated
with me had acted with duplicity wounded me deeply; and you can
readily understand that I regard it as my first and highest duty to
have a most thorough and impartial investigation of this whole
affair.
If this can be accomplished to-day, I will gladly go to Masaya, or to
Granada if need be, to-morrow morning on an errand of peace, and
during that visit I shall use my best and most earnest efforts to
have the engine returned to its rightful owners. With sentiments of
high personal esteem, I beg to subscribe myself, etc.,
[Inclosure 5 in No.
8.—Translation.
President Sacasa to Mr. Baker.
National
Palace,
Managua, May
28, 1893.
Esteemed Sir: I have read your important
communication of this date, relative to the occurrence of the
locomotive engine which caused a postponement of your excellency’s
trip to Masaya and Granada.
My Government recognizes your excellency’s honorable and highly
patriotic views and therefore it has not doubted a moment the
integrity and good faith of those who compose the Society of the Red
Cross with which your excellency and your daughters have associated
yourselves.
Your excellency must not mind the interpretations which are made in
some quarters; for your excellency knows very well that they always
judge what happens by the impressions they receive, which, in the
majority of cases, as in the present one, do not rest on a fixed
basis.
I trust that the incident of the locomotive will be resolved in a
favorable manner to my Government, according to the justice which it
has; and that your excellency lency will do whatever the actual
facts may call for.
With the hignest consideration, I remain, etc.
