No. 31.
Mr. Baker
to Mr. Gresham.
Legation of
the United States,
Managua, April 10, 1894.
(Received May 15.)
Sir: I cabled you the news of the shooting of a Mr.
Wilson, an American, by the Nicaraguan military governor at Bluefields. I
had
[Page 46]
received no particulars. I
called upon the authorities here for an explanation, and I inclose the
response of the Government.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
31—Translation.]
Mr. Rivas to Mr.
Baker.
National
Palace,
Managua, April
3, 1894.
Mr. Minister: The Minister of the Interior has
addressed himself to this secretaryship informing it that the
commissioner of the Mosquito Reservation has given him notice that on
the 20th of last March, about 10 o’clock in the evening, Mr. Norberto
Argiiello, police inspector, temporarily in charge of the Government,
seriously wounded the American citizen William Wilson.
In bringing to the knowledge of Your Excellency this deplorable incident,
of which my Government has not, as yet, any details, it is my duty to
manifest to Your Excellency that Mr. Argüello was immediately deposed,
and that the commissioner appointed Col. L’uis Cartin in his place, who
will carry on the legal prosecution so that the culprit may be
punished.
The Government on its part, desirous that full justice be administered in
the affair, has sent, through the honorable minister of the interior,
telegrams to Ban Juan del Norte and Bluefields, of which I inclose to
Your Excellency an authorized copy.
I will not close this communication without deploring what has come to
pass, and without manifesting that, as soon as the Government receives
information which it has called for, I will again address myself to Your
Excellency.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
31.—Translation]
Mr. Commissioner of the
Reserve,
San Juan del Norte:
Recommended to the governor and comptroller.
With much regret the executive has been informed of your telegram, dated
the 31st of last month, in which you give an account of the wound
inflicted on the American citizen, Wilson, by the temporary governor,
Argüello.
The Government trusts that the courts of justice of San Juan del Norte
will know how to fulfill their duty by investigating the aforesaid act
and punishing the offender.
The Government does not approve of the practice which has been observed
on the coast of withdrawing the high functionaries to send them on
commissions; much less if these are substituted by employees of inferior
category, who may not possess all the qualities which those dignitaries
require.
The President trusts that, owing to the lamentable accident to Wilson,
the cordial relations which Nicaragua happily cultivates with the United
States of America may not be impaired. He hopes that the superior
authorities of the littoral will see that complete justice be done
[Page 47]
in the trial of the deed against
Wilson, and that in the future they may know how to avoid, with prudence
and caution, occurrences of this nature.
The Minister of the Interior by the law,
This is a true copy. Managua, April 3, 1894.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
31.—Translation.]
Governor and
Comptroller,
San Juan del Norte:
With grief the executive power has been informed of the dangerous wound
inflicted on Mr. Wilson by an officer of that port, and through me,
commands that you make the courts proceed with all possible energy and
activity in the repression of that crime.
The Minister of the Interior by the law,
This is a true copy. Managua, April 2, 1894.
