Toward the end of October an insurrectionary disturbance developed in the Colombian Republic.  This movement has thus far not attained any decisive result and is still in progress.

Discussion of the questions raised by the action of Denmark in imposing restrictions on the importation of American meats has continued without substantial result in our favor.

The neighboring island Republic of Santo Domingo has lately been the scene of revolution, following a long period of tranquillity.  It began with the killing of President Heureaux in July last, and culminated in the relinquishment by the succeeding Vice-President of the reins of government to the insurgents.  The first act of the provisional government was the calling of a presidential and constituent election.  Juan Isidro Jimenez, having been elected President, was inaugurated on the 14th of November.  Relations have been entered into with the newly established Government.

The experimental association of Nicaragua, Honduras, and Salvador, under the title of the Greater Republic of Central America, when apparently on the threshold of a complete federal organization by the adoption of a constitution and the formation of a national legislature, was disrupted in the last days of November, 1898, by the withdrawal of Salvador.  Thereupon Nicaragua and Honduras abandoned the joint compact, each resuming its former independent sovereignty.  This was followed by the reception of Minister Merry by the Republics of Nicaragua and Salvador, while Minister Hunter in turn presented his credentials to the Government of Honduras, thus reverting to the old distribution of the diplomatic agencies of the United States in Central America for which our existing statutes provide.  A Nicaraguan envoy has been accredited to the United States.

An insurrectionary movement, under General Reyes, broke out at Bluefields in February last, and for a time exercised actual control in the Mosquito Territory.  The Detroit was promptly sent thither for the protection of American interests.  After a few weeks the Reyes government renounced the conflict, giving place to the restored supremacy of Nicaragua.  During the interregnum certain public dues accruing under Nicaraguan law were collected from American merchants by the authorities for the time being in effective administrative control.  Upon the titular government regaining power, a second payment of these dues was demanded.  Controversy arose touching the validity of the original payment of the debt to the de facto regent of the territory.  An arrangement was effected in April last by the United States minister and the foreign secretary of Nicaragua whereby the amounts of the duplicate payments were deposited with the British consul pending an adjustment of the matter by direct agreement between the Governments of the United States and Nicaragua.  The controversy is still unsettled.