The Indianapolis journal., 1894-07-19
CORN. ISLANDS WAR
DETAILS OF THE LATEST UPRISING
IN THE MOSQUITO RESERVE.
Several Skirmishes, I'm Which Vari-
GUS NatiOnaIities We're Engaged
The English Flag Hoisted.


preceding the fight at Corn island The
trouble began on the night of July g. The
month before the merchants who had ad-
vanced money on the scrip issued by the
Mosquito government requested General
Cabezos, the Nicaraguan Governor, TO take
the scrip for duties. He refused point blank
TO recognize the paper, and the merchants
decided to pay only in the scrip. This
soon reduced the revenues of the govern
ment and the finances fell way down. On
the Sd of this month the police again made
a demand for their back pay, and were
refused. This determined the natives and
their adherents, and when, on the 5th of
the month. they were put of again, one of
the police was about to assault CabeZos
when troops arrived. a brief conflict fol-
lowed, in which four of the police were
painfully injured. The fighting drew a
large crowd, among them several Amer
leans, from the International Club, just
across the street. One of these, Mr.. Henry
Henry Williamson, formerly of Galveston,
Tex, by his good offices, succeeded in stop
ping the fight. AS soon as the three lead
ers of the rioters had been placed under
arrest General Cabezos sent word to Mr..
Williamson that he had received all the
sistance from him that he required.
In the evening a meeting of the natives
was held and they decided to drive the
Spaniards out, take possession of the gov
ernment and reinstate the old Mosquito
chief. Messengers were sent to different
places to rally all natives and Indians and
by p. m. large crowd had collected
Consul Seal called an informal meeting OF
the Americans and discussed the situation,
and it was decided TO call on the com
mander of the United States steamer
Marbenead for marines to for the
interests of foreigners. The English con-
sui Joined in this. Later in the evening
desultory fighting began between natives
and the small force of soldiers in the gov
ernment building Soon the lights were
shot out, and then the natives gathered
in force, and a perfect leaden hail
poured into the building. The inmates of
the building retired to the stone base
ment- and We're consequently secure The
firing was kept up by both sides all night.
1t ceased shortly after daylight. and dur
ing the day great crowds visited the gov
ernment building, the upper stories of
which were completely riddled with bull
let's. There were, however, in spit of the
trrific fusillade. but two men wounded
during the night
About o'clock in the morning Captain
ONeil landed sxty-five marines and left
them at the bluff. The captain went to the
consul. and a lengthy interview. was had
with General Cabezos. In the after
noon meeting of the Mosquito head men
was called and Clarence and his staff of
officers quickly appeared, though he had
not been heard of before. The natives all
looked to the Americans for assistance,
and even asked that the Americans lead
them in the fight. The Americans, how
ever. took no active part in the affair, ex-
cepting TO use every effort to keep the viii
lage as orderly as possible. Finally Clar-
proclamation was written out. A steam
launch was chartered and sent to Rama
to prevent the steamer from bringing re-
Inducements to CabeZos. A letter was sent
to Cabezos giving him two hours to turn
over all government property, He tenn
pOriZed and asked until morning TO de-
eide While this was being talked over the
foreigners were holding meeting at which
Captain O'Neil told them plainly the. posi-
ton he occupied. saying that he could only
take hand on request of the government
of the country. He would offer protection
to all foreigners but could not take sides
with either party TO the dispute.
During the night the natives decided
Cabezos had only asked time i'm order to
four-inch Krupp gun, which he had on the
bluffs across from the town. Accordingly
bluff, and after sharp sklrmish, in which
two men were killed. ,he Spanards fled
and the gun was captured. The next morn
number from outside points, and it was
clear that Clarence was gaining power,
ne Iheh na1 s0i's Z'S'V men; w men NapeZoS
heard of the loss of his bluff force he de-
cided to surrender all the government prop
erty and send he troops out or the re-
serve. The Mosquitoes decided TO form an
amalgamated council, and three Americans
and two Englishmen were asked to join.
The Americans were Simon l.ampion, of
goon, and II. F. Springer, o. New Orleans.
The Englishmen were William y. Brown
and Captain Brownrigg. Tne next day
! Captain O'Neill sailed away in the Marble
head leaving the marines on shore in
charge of the first lieutenant.
When the steamer Hazel Wright arrived
the next day it learned that the Span
iardS had been contemplating attack
on BluefieldS anG the influence of their
Governor alone prevented ii. The natives
pronted by this valuable information and
organized several companies of troops. A
close watch was placed on the lagoOns by
which the Spaniards were expected and
when they come if they do at all, the
fight will be a hot one. Sunday morning a
sloD came from Corn island, bringing re-
ports of the fight there. No definite details
were obtained beyond the information that
the Spaniards were routed with several
killed. Then the natives and Jamaicans
hoisted the English flag and it still floats
over the island which was intended for the
United States coaling station.
The fighting In BluefelQs, 1t Is to be seen,
is not entirely local. but more of a re-
bellion of the whole Atlantic coast against
Nicaraguan rule. The Indians throughout
the entire reserve are completely aroused
| The Waunka Indians, numbering nearly
| S000, have volunteered to assist the Mos
quitOs if the fighting becomes general
thing. There seems, however, to be no hope
| ful, and, with the uncertainty of English
| action, the outcome of the trouble is doubt
| full.
| COPENHAGEN, July 1S-The Danish
government has obtained satisfaction for,
| the expulsion from Schleswig, Germany,
| of the eight Danish players belonging to
| the Royal Theater of Copenhagen These