It can keep them in camps, and even confine them in fortresses or locations assigned for this purpose. It shall decide whether officers may be left at liberty on giving their parole that they will not leave the neutral territory without authorization. ARTICLE LVIII. Failing a special Convention, the neutral State shall supply the interned with the food, clothing, and relief required by humanity. At the conclusion of peace, the expenses caused by the internment shall be made good. ARTICLE LIX. A neutral State may authorize the passage through its territory of wounded or sick belonging to the belligerent armies, on condition that the trains bringing them shall carry neither combatants nor war material. In such a case, the neutral State is bound to adopt such measures of safety and control as may be necessary for the purpose. Wounded and sick brought under these conditions into neutral territory by one of the belligerents, and belonging to the hostile party, must be guarded by the neutral State, so as to insure their not taking part again in the military operations. The same duty shall devolve on the neutral State with regard to wounded or sick of the other army who may be committed to its care. ARTICLE LX. The Geneva Convention applies to sick and wounded interned in neutral territory. NICARAGUA, SALVADOR, AND COSTA RICA. REVOLUTION, AND DEMAND OF NICARAGUAN GOVERNMENT FOR SECOND PAYMENT OF CUSTOMS DUTIES COLLECTED BY INSURGENTS WHILE IN TEMPORARY POSSESSION OF BLUEFIELDS. Mr. Merry to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, San José, Costa Rica, February 9, 1899. Revolution Mosquito territory. President Nicaragua requests you will send immediately naval ship San Juan del Norte. Mr. Hay to Mr. Merry. [Telegram.] MERRY. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 10, 1899. Minister for foreign affairs Nicaragua notifies closing Atlantic ports occupied by rebels. If any question affecting American vessels arises consult note to Colombian minister, Foreign Relations, eighty-five, page two fifty-four. No. 211.] Mr. Merry to Mr. Hay. HAY. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, San José, Costa Rica, February 10, 1899. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your cablegram dated 9th instant, translated as follows: "Minister of foreign affairs Nicaragua notifies closing Atlantic ports occupied by rebels. question affecting American vessels arises consult note to Colombian minister, Foreign Relations, 1885, page 254." When the legation documents were moved here from Managua by Mr. Baker, ex-secretary, the Annual Foreign Relations Reports, prior to 1893, and the Revised Statutes, were left behind. As the volume for 1885 can be more readily sent from Washington than Managua, I have taken the liberty of requesting that it be forwarded. In accordance with your cable instructions of November 28, 1898, relating to the ships of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company calling at Salvador ports, I shall, until otherwise ordered, claim that American vessels have the right of entry to any commercial port of Nicaragua in the uncontested occupation of a de facto government. But the steamers calling at these ports are now mostly English and Norwegian, and such cases are not likely to arise under our flag. I shall further be guided by the note alluded to in your cable when the volume Foreign Relations, 1885, arrives. The British consul has also cabled for a naval vesse! to immediately visit Bluefields and San Juan del Norte. No. 212.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, San José, Costa Rica, February 12, 1899. SIR: I have the honor to further confirm my cable of the 10th instant, reading, translated: "Mosquito territory revolutionists invading interior via San Juan del Norte, also revolutionizing in Honduras. Send without delay Foreign Relations, year 1885. Consular Agent Clancy, Bluefields, has requested war ship sent immediately. I concur." Late on 10th instant I received your word cipher cable translated "Marietta ordered Greytown, Bluefields." I inclose herewith copy of letter from M. J. Clancy, consular agent at Bluefields, dated February 5 (inclosure No. 1), which explains the situation at this date. You will notice that he hired the schooner Buenaventura to deliver this information at Limon, and asks me how he is to be repaid the expense. I have replied to send me the bill which I will forward to the Department for approval in due time, as it appears to have been a judicious expenditure, provided the amount is reasonable, of which have no doubt. I also inclose copy of his proclamation I (inclosure No. 2) urging absolute neutrality upon all American citizens, which appears judicious. Having in view the probability of the revolutionists reaching the interior, I have telegraphed Consul Donaldson at Managua to take the same action as Mr. Clancy in this particular. It appears to me that the success of General Reyes's movement depends largely upon the question of transportation from San Juan del Norte, up the San Juan River and over Lake Nicaragua to his objective point, Granada. Should President Zelaya, by immediate seizure of lake and river steamers, prevent his access to the interior, the movement may be localized on the Mosquito coast. These steamers are now the property of the English Caribbean Sea Transit Company. But, on the other hand, President Zelaya will be cautious about weakening his military position at the capital by sending a large part of his force to the Atlantic littoral, and without it I do not understand how he can expect to restore his authority over it, especially as the movement has the basis of commercial aid and is reported as having also the united support of all foreign as well as native interests on the Mosquito coast. The revolutionary movement on the northern coast of Honduras is probably inaugurated simultaneously with that of General Reyes by prior arrangement, lest President Zelaya might receive aid from the Honduras Government, and also as tending to the success of both. I regret to notice that a considerable number of parties claiming American citizenship are aiding the revolutionary movement of General Reyes, notwithstanding Mr. Clancy's admonition. If the movement fails, we shall have these gentlemen claiming protection. I have requested Mr. Clancy to send me the names of these parties, so far as known to him. I am informed by the English consul that H. B. M. ship Intrepid is expected at Limon on 13th instant en route to Bluefields via San Juan del Norte, and will reach those ports two or three days before the Marietta. By her I shall write to consular officers there. Should it appear that I can better serve the interests of the United States, in case the revolutionary movement reaches the interior of Nicaragua, I shall cable you for instructions to visit Managua via Puntarenas and Corinto, American steamers being available at firstnamed port if I leave here on 19th or 21st instant. With assurances, etc., WILLIAM L. MERRY, United States Minister. [Inclosure 1.] Mr. Clancy to Mr. Merry. UNITED STATES CONSULAR AGENCY, Bluefields, Nicaragua, February 5, 1899. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that at 10 o'clock yesterday morning (the 4th instant) Gen. J. P. Reyes (resigned), late governor intendant of the department of Zelaya, publicly announced himself in open rebellion against the present lawful Government of the Republic of Nicaragua, by the promiscuous distribution of the inclosed proclamation, in which he styles himself the liberator of Nicaragua. His army of 300 men left for the "Bluff" at 5 p. m. to-day where they will embark in the San Jacinto and Carib crafts, and leave for Greytown at midnight, at which place he will give battle to the forces of President Zelaya, if met there. Among the number are 21 natives and 20 young men claiming citizenship, who act as the general's bodyguard. After his defeat of the Liberals at Greytown, he will leave a detachinent there and make a triumph at Castillo, then on to San Carlos, where capitulation will take place, across the lake to Grenada, at which city he will be received with acclamation, and as the capture or surrender of Managua is merely a matter of form, the occupation will terminate hostilities, and General Reyes will be proclaimed President of the Republic of Nicaragua by the unanimous voice of the people who have so long been trodden underfoot by President Zelaya and his subordinates. The Liberals are now in power and control the Government. No thought is given to disaster by General Reyes as all his plans are certain of fulfillment, and such a thing as defeat is impossible. These are, in substance, the actual views he and many of his enthusiastic followers firmly believe in. The emergency of the occasion requires the immediate presence of an American man-of-war to protect the persons and property of the citizens of the United States in Bluefields and vicinity. Any vessels drawing 12 feet can cross the bar and anchor at the "Bluff," 6 miles across the lagoon from Bluefields. This is sent by special boat, as General Reyes refused yesterday to allow the use of the wires to Managua so that I could cable direct to Washington, as Mr. Sorsby is in the United States on a vacation. Why not also advise Mr. Donaldson at Managua? I inclose for your consideration a copy of dispatch sent to Hon. T. Percy Scott, United States vice-consul at Greytown, which is self-explanatory. How am I to be reimbursed for the outlay of sending boat to Port Limon? [Inclosure 2.] M. J. CLANCY, Proclamation of Mr. Clancy. UNITED STATES CONSULAR AGENCY, Bluefields, Nicaragua, February 3, 1899. All citizens of the United States of America are hereby warned not to take any part in the political trouble existing here, and are to observe a strict neutrality. M. J. CLANCY, Consular Agent. Mr. Merry to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.] SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA, February 15, 1899. Have received information rebellion in Nicaragua may be very serious. I have to suggest your instructions to visit capital of Nicaragua the next steamer, Punta Arenas, leaving the secretary of legation San José. Mr. Merry to Mr. Hay. MERRY. No. 214.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, San José, Costa Rica, February 16, 1899. SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith the letter of Sr. Sanson, secretary of foreign affairs of the Republic of Nicaragua, alluding to my visiting Managua. Since it was written events have occurred there which impress me with the advisability of my going there promptly, in the public interest. Yesterday I sent you the following cable: "Have received information rebellion in Nicaragua may be very serious. I have to suggest your instructions to visit capital of Nicaragua the next steamer, Punta Arenas, leaving the secretary of legation San José." To this I have just received your cable authorizing the trip, and have arranged to leave Punta Arenas on 22d instant for Corinto and Managua, hoping to reach the latter city on 24th p. m. Any cables you may desire to send after that date I respectfully suggest should be addressed to Managua, but letters should continue to come to San José whence they can be read by the secretary of legation and forwarded by him via Punta Arenas in about same time as would be necessary via Panama direct to Managua. The Government here, yesterday, received advices from their customs station at the junction of San Carlos and San Juan rivers that General Reyes is in possession of San Juan del Norte and advancing up river; that the Chontales Coast of Lake Nicaragua is also in revolt against the Zelaya Government; that Reyes had abundant money when he started from Bluefields, and 5,000 rifles with proper ammunition. The force he has with him is unknown further |