File No. 817.00/1775.
The American Minister to
the Secretary of State.
No. 28.]
American Legation,
Managua,
May 2, 1912.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
copies of correspondence exchanged with the Consul at Bluefields with
reference to the political conditions on the Atlantic Coast.
[Page 1023]
On receipt of Mr. Clare’s letter of March 4, reporting that there was
great dissatisfaction and talk of a separation movement, I called his
attention by telegram to the Secretary of State’s speech in Managua1 regarding a closer
union between the Atlantic and interior portions of the country.
From information which had already come to me through the Collector
General of Customs I had reason to believe that the dissatisfied
elements were endeavoring to sound out the Consul and the Customs
officer in Bluefields on the question of secession, and I therefore
referred to the Secretary’s statement as an indication to Mr. Clare of
what should be his attitude in the matter.
In his telegram of reply2 he stated that he would
make a full report on the subject to the Department and to the
Legation.
This talk of separation is nothing new as will appear by reference to the
Department’s instruction to Mr. Northcott, No. 9, of April 3, 1911,3 (File 817–00/1547)
transmitting a copy of a report of the then Consul, Mr. Lee, and the
agitation, which is an inheritance of the days of the Mosquito
protectorate, will probably continue until new means of communication
are opened between Bluefields and Managua (as proposed under the loan
arrangement with Messrs, Brown Brothers and Seligman) and the interests
of the two sections, which at present have little in common because of
the difference in population and pursuits, are brought more into
harmony.
The immediate point of controversy now being waged is a financial one,
but the central Government is unable to furnish prompt relief because
the country as a whole is in a difficult situation on account of matters
not having yet adjusted themselves to the new system of customs
collection.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure 1—Extract.]
The American Consul at
Bluefields to the American
Minister.
No. 28.]
American Legation,
Bluefields,
March 4, 1912.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of the following telegram, on yesterday’s date, from you:
The Secretary of State will arrive at Corinto and Managua on
March 5th, and will remain until the 7th.
On the 4th instant I sent you the following telegram:
I should be glad to have the following laid before the
Secretary of State: Constituents of Representative Hooker
uphold his action relative to Article 170 of the
Constitution of Nicaragua. Commercial and financial
conditions are critical in the extreme. Public employees
unpaid for some months. Silver, the only currency, is fast
disappearing from circulation. Many representations of new
enterprises are here awaiting announcement of our policy in
Nicaragua. Rumors of another revolution if the state of
affairs remains unchanged. Only popular elections will
satisfy this Coast.
You no doubt read in the papers of Managua that all the municipal
officers resigned in Bluefields rather than take the oath to obey
the Constitution as far as Article 170 is concerned. The people feel
that the promises made to them have not been kept.
[Page 1024]
I am sorry to report that feeling against Americans here at present
is not as cordial as it has been. Two attempts were made last week
to destroy American property by fire, but luckily they were
discovered in time and no damage resulted. Whether these were direct
threats against Americans or whether they show the discontent and
dissatisfaction existing is a matter of conjecture.
The merchants and fruit companies seem to be waiting some definite
announcement relative to the financial policy of the Government, or
in other words, as they express it themselves, “We wish to know
whether the Nicaraguan Government is going to get the loan, and if
they do get it what they are going to do with it.” This is rather a
crude way of expressing it, but that is how they seem to feel about
it. In the meanwhile they are not going to pay a premium to import
soles. Soles a few months ago were worth 40 cents gold, today they
are at 42–3/4 to 43.
I do not put much faith in this talk about another revolution, as I
fail to see where they would get the money, arms or men to start it,
but at the same time it would not take a great many well-armed men
to take and hold this coast against any force that could be sent
from the interior with the object of recapturing it. The people know
this, and the next time they strike it will mean the independence of
the Coast. They will not allow themselves to be fooled another
time.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure 2.—Telegram.—Paraphrase.]
The American Minister
to the American Consul at
Bluefields.
American Legation,
Managua,
April 13, 1912.
Your No. 28, and telegram of March 4. The latter was shown to the
Secretary of State. Since then National Assembly has approved the
new monetary legislation and supplementary loan providing for sound
currency and banking system which it is believed will improve
economic conditions of Atlantic coast as elsewhere in Nicaragua.
Telegraph your views as to present situation in Bluefilds district
and what publicity was given to the Secretary’s speech encouraging
the closer union between the Atlantic coast region and the
interior.
