Mr. Baker to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of the United States,
Managua, May 24, 1894.
(Received June 12, 1894.)
No. 274.]
Sir: Your dispatch dated April 26, in regard to
the insecure manner in which Norberto Argüello was imprisoned, was
awaiting my return from Bluefields. I at once addressed to the
Government of Nicaragua the inclosed note, to which a verbal statement
was made, that a complete answer would be furnished me in writing within
a short time. I have patiently waited until this moment for that
promised explanation, now nearly four days, without realizing the fruits
of that promise. Not having received the answer, I dispatched to the
palace another communication, numbered inclosure 2, of this date. I
have, etc.,
[Page 471]
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Baker to
the Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
Legation of the United States,
Managua, May
21, 1894.
Mr. Minister: On my return from the
Mosquito Reservation I find instructions from the U. S. Government
awaiting me in regard to the treatment which has been accorded by
the Nicaraguan officials to Don Norberto Argüello, the murderer of
William Wilson, at Rama, at & time when said Argüello was acting
as an official of your Government. These instructions contain a
review of the case, and close with the following paragraph:
This incident, which has naturally produced a most painful
impression, calls for prompt and energetic action on the
part of the authorities to secure the apprehension and trial
of Argüello. You will express the President’s earnest hope
that full justice shall be done.
It is my duty to ask from your Government an early official statement
as to what steps have been taken for the apprehension and bringing
to trial of the man who, at latest accounts received by me, was
still at large, having walked out of the prison, whose doors were
open and unguarded, on the evening of May 10.
Embracing this opportunity to renew to you, Mr. Minister, my high
consideration and regard,
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Baker to
the Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
Legation of the United States,
Managua, May
24, 1894.
Mr. Minister: In a personal interview on
the 21st instant with His Excellency the President, I was assured of
his purpose to do what laid in his power and in the power of his
Government to recapture and properly punish the escaped prisoner
Argüello, who, while a public officer of Nicaragua, shot down and
murdered an American citizen, William Wilson by name. In the same
conversation, in order to show the friendship of this Government for
its good friend, the United States, he announced his purpose of
punishing the culpable officer through whose lax administration, if
not actual connivance, the prisoner was allowed to walk out of an
unguarded jail.
I have waited with much patience until this time for an announcement
of the fulfillment of this purpose. Having heard nothing further
from his excellency on the subject, I now must carry out my
imperative cable instructions from the President of the United
States, in “asking instant and effective redress,” and “to demand
the immediate removal of Governor Torres,” whose failure to obey the
instructions of his superior officers in regard to the confinement
of the prisoner was a scandal to your own Government and an insult
to mine, and “the removal from the office of commissioner to the
Mosquito Reservation of Carlos A. Lacayo,” who is held by the
President “to be even more culpable than Torres.”
I have, etc.,
