BRITISH OCCUPATION OF BLUEFIELDS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8779, 27 April 1894, Page 5

BRITISH OCCUPATION OF BLUEFIELDS.

Captain A. T, Rider, an American now residing at Bluefields, Nicaragua, Control America, sends a letter, under date March 22ud, reviewing the situation there previous to the arrival of H.M.s. Cleopatra, and eaye if it had not been for her coming all the American and foreign residents of the place would have been killed. Tue Captain wires: —"After the formation of a provisional Government the Commander of the Cleopatra compelled the Spanish troops to retire to Greytown. They sailed for that place iv the Cleopatra on March sth. Lieutenant* Colonel Mann of the ship and seventy-five marines were left to prevent further trouble* After the vessel sailed' it was found that some of the Spanish.soldiers were still ia the town. That night n frightful riot commenced between the Spanish soldiers and! the natives. The streets Vwero filled with armed men, and the greatest excitement prevailed. Two soldiers and one native were killed and several :«eri-> ously wounded. The foreign residents sent for Colonel Mann, encamped a short) distance down the river. He came to our. relief and has since remained iv charge o£ tho town. The Cleopatra returned on the 6th and increased the number of men on shore to 125. Oα March 9th, quantities of ammunition were found in the bush near the town. It is believed the Spaaieh soldiers intended to return aud sack the town, when the warship went away, The Americans asked the commander of the : Cleopatra to remain and protect them, which he promised to do until relieved by another ship. If it had not been for our British cousins, God only knows what would have been the fat* of us Americans."