No. 82.
Mr. Baker
to Mr. Gresham.
Legation of
the United States,
Mamagua, July 27, 1894.
(Received August 14.)
Sir: My latest information from Bluefields by mail
is of the date of July 7. I have nothing direct by wire. You are probably
aware that there is no telegraph line from here to Bluefields; or, for that
matter none to Bluefields from any quarter. It happens that three or four
weeks sometimes pass without any mail from Bluefields to Grey Town, and from
Grey Town to this city the wire is on rotten poles; it runs for
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many miles through a forest so
dense as to defy the rays of the sun, and is usually “down” when anyone else
than the Government desires its use.
Consul Braida makes most serious complaint of his inability to telegraph to
me, as well as the interference with his mails between Blue-fields and Grey
Town.
Minister Madriz leaves here to-day for Bluefields, as special commissioner,
and through his courtesy I send letters to Consul Braida, Commander O’Neil
of the U. S. S. Marblehead, and Consular Agent B. B.
Seat, esq.
I herewith inclose a copy of the latter, and they were all of similar
tenor.
I had a talk with Mr. Madriz this morning, and I find his mind filled with
the idea that the Americans are at the bottom of the trouble at Bluefields,
and his assistant secretary, Roman Mayorga Rivas, esq., more frank than
discreet, announced the purpose of the Government to “take down 1,000 troops
and 4 cannon and butcher all the Americans in that territory, if necessary
to establish and maintain Nicaraguan rule there.”
It has been developed that 1,300 to 1,500 soldiers will go down from here,
many have already gone, and the army of Honduras has been drawn upon
besides. Great efforts have been made to create enthusiasm among the
soldiers who are going to the front. This morning’s “El 93,” contains an
address from the President to the army, and an editorial, both intended to
contribute to the above purpose. I send you inclosed a copy of the paper. As
the mail is just closing for Corinto, I will not have time to make the
translations.
I have had a little backset in my sickness, and have been in bed again this
week. This has been the sickliest season known in Nicaragua for many years.
About 20 per cent of the foreigners in this vicinity, I am informed, have
died. The fever has been a malignant one, with many of the characteristics
of the yellow fever. It seems to have been brought here from Panama. Whether
the President shall fill this consulate, which has now been vacant over a
year, or not, I will be compelled to get away from here either temporarily
or permanently. I must have a change to live, or a change will come to me in
death.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 82.]
Mr. Baker to Mr.
Seat
Legation of the United States,
Managua, July 26,
1894.
Sir: I thank you for your report of the mob by
the negro and Indian residents of Bluefields on the night of July 5,
arising out of the repeated refusal of the Nicaraguan authorities to pay
the policemen in their employ.
I most sincerely regret this occurrence, but I am gratified to be
assured, as I am by you, that no American has been mixed up in this
disgracefnl affair.
His Honor Minister Madriz is returning to Bluefields as special
commissioner of the Government of Nicaragua, and he has kindly consented
to bring this to you. Before giving it to him I permitted him to know
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the contents of your
report to me; I also presented to him and to the President the
complaints of the Rama parties. At the time Mr. Madriz was down last
April and May, I understood that he had given orders that ships should
be permitted to load and unload fruit during all hours, day and night,
as is done in all towns and cities of the United States, and I feel
quite sure that the act of which you complain will meet his prompt
disapproval.
Minister Madriz was at Bluefields at the time of my visit in April and
May, and I found him to be conservative, clear in his ideas, and
disposed to be just. Upon his careful report of the condition of public
sentiment down there, the President responded promptly to such
reasonable requests as I thought it proper to make of him for the
protection of American interests in the reserve.
For this reason alone, even though there was no other, it is a source of
keen regret to me that this unholy mob broke out.
The Government of the United States concedes, as you know, the
sovereignty of Nicaragua over the Mosquito Territory. Only England has
any treaty which limits the full and free action of Nicaragua over
Mosquitia. As Americans we concede to Nicaragua all the powers of a
sovereign; and our position is that of guests in the house of a
neighbor. We came into this house and we acquired certain rights of
property, and went into business on certain conditions and under certain
guarantees. Our business, as I said, is to act in good faith as guests,
as neutrals; their business is to protect us in all our rights. And I
feel reasonably certain that if we remain true to our proper position,
the Nicaraguan Government will finally adjust in an equitable manner all
our just claims.
It is pleasing to me to learn, as I do through others, that during the
recent troubles in Bluefields you discouraged every species of disorder
and threw your influence on the side of peace and order. I can not too
highly commend all Americans who took the same conservative and proper
course.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 82.]
Extract from “El 93,” July 27, 1894.
We take pleasure in inserting the proclamation which has been addressed
by the General President to the expeditionary army that is about to go
to Bluefields.
It is as follows:
Soldiers of the expeditionary force of
the Atlantic Coast:
Our country again requires your services to uphold its integrity and its
sovereign rights. I have summoned you to march to our Atlantic coasts in
order there to raise our flag to the height which is demanded by our
national dignity.
To you, the upholders of our liberty and autonomy, I desire to
communicate the reason of this summons.
On the 5th of the present month the negroes of Jamaica, having been badly
advised by certain adventurers who desired to secure control of the
wealth of those coasts, raised the cry of insurrection against the
authorities of Nicaragua, taking advantage of a time when a few of your
companions remained upholding order and giving them guarrautees. The
efforts of these Nicaraguan soldiers who had to do battle
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against a large number of
those negroes were fruitless, some of them dying heroically in defending
the dignity and honor of Nicaragua. It is for you to continue the work
which those martyrs were unable to finish owing to their scanty
numbers.
You have shown in the recent Honduran campaign how much you love your
country, and how you punish the folly of those who dare to cast
discredit upon our flag. It is just one year since you liberated all
Nicaragua in the bloody battle of La Ouesta. I invoke those souvenirs
which do you so much honor, and ask you to make known this time, with
the same bravery and heroism, in the remote region of the Atlantic, what
the Nicaraguan soldier can do when he fights for the honor of his
country.
You will be led to those coasts by the experienced and valiant Generals
Reyes, Balladases, Bone, and Uriarte. You know them well. With their
skill and your valor victory is certain.
I urge you to observe the good behavior and the discipline of which you
have given so many evidences.
You are going to a region where it is sought to make us appear as savages
who do not know how to govern. I charge you to show by your honorable
conduct and excellent demeanor how infamous is the slander which those
negroes have concocted against us.
Before taking leave of you, I desire especially to commend to you the
brave minister, Dr. José Madriz, who is to accompany you on this
expedition. He goes in the name of the Government to impose our laws
upon the rebels. He feels confidence in the success of his mission,
because he relies upon soldiers who, like you, will execute his orders
at the proper time.
I feel confident that I shall see you on your return crowned with
laurels, and I know that if you are not sufficent to punish those
insurgents, our entire army will go, with your commander in chief and
friend at its head.
