The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-04-25

WASHINGTON, April 24.-Exact official
information has been received as to
Great Britain's belligerent steps in
Nicaragua. British troops are to be
landed at Corinto. The custom houses
are to be occupied by the British forces,
and British officers are to exercise the
functions Of collectors of customs. At
the same time Nicaraguan local COM
nerce is to be crippled by q blockade.
The limit OF time allowed Nicaragua to
yield expires tomorrow, Thursday, and
the blockade, landing of troops and
seizure OF the custom houses ia to begin
Immediately thereafter. There is good
reason to believe that Nicaragua is not
likely to yield, but will allow British
troops to occupy Corinto, in order that
ctns picuous attention may be drawn to
what Is regarded by Nicaragua ss an
invasion of the Monroe doctrine.
Corinto is the heaviest import point n
Nicaragua. The imports there for 1892
% were Sc, .805, while all imports to
other points did not exceed $500, 900.
Almost one-half Of the imports at
Corinto are from Great Britain, so that
the British seizure of the GUS tom houses
Will result in their receiving the Gus.
toms dues from British merchant ships.
The tariff rates of Nicaragua are such
that the &c. 006, S05 OF imports In 1891
yielded $l,059,913 In customs duties.
Most of this WAS collected at Corinto.
At this rate the receipts at Corinto
would reach SIS, 900 within thirty days,
unless commerce was diverted to other
ports. 1t is significant fact that the
largest part Of Nicaragua's foreign
London, and payable there in 1899.
This foreign debs aggregates 50, los, 227.
The London holders have thus far res
ceived their interest on the bonds
promptly.
The diplomatic representatives OF the
Central and South American republics
are very much disturbed by this last
feature OF the case (the meeting of
bond obligations) for they fear that 1t
opens vista of endless trouble and
aggression in the future. Their idea
is once Great Britain has been per-
mitted without interference to collect
this special indemnity, she will avail
herself OF the excuse offered by the
failure Of Nicaragua to meet her in.
terest payments on the foreign debt to
forcibly in the same manner, notwith-
standing the fact that the failure may
be brought about by her own seizure of
the custom receipts which were to be
applied to the payment OF this interest
or course this would pecessitate the
occupation of Corinto after the original
indemnity shall have been collected,
which would only add to the financial
distress OF Nicaragua, and should abe
be then unable, as seems likely, to meet
this last demand, the occupation may
be prolonged 30 indefinitely as to
amount to permanent occupation OF
the territory. This Is the reasoning of
the South Americans and they find in
dividual cause for apprehension in the
fact that almost ell Of these little re-
publics owe sums OF money to European
bondholders on account of interest or
principal Of national debts, and they
fear that for the first time the principle
may be laid down and enforced, that
European government may assume the
collection OF debts owing to its citizens
IS individuals and not to the European
nation, doctrine which they assert
would be particularly obnoxious If ap-
piled to some Of the States of the
American Union which have defaulted
in their debts to foreign bondhoiders.
1t Is felt here that the present stu
alton is one justifying apprehension
and anxiety on the part of our own gov
eminent. While it is not ex pected that
the Nicaraguan government will offer
any armed resistance to the landing of
the British forces, still it ia feared that
during the time the town of Corinto is
occupied by the foreigners the natives
may be restrained with difficulty, and
the close contact into which the two
discordant elements will certainly be
brought might at any moment lead to
an outbreak winding up in general
war.
The tenure of the present Nicaragua
government Is none too secure, and It is
felt that 1t would be expecting almost
too much from 1t to hope that it could
resist successfully an impulse of the
people towards war, even should the
cause be without probable success Tor
their side In the end. It is evident that
our State Department has not lost sight
OF this possibility for Secretary
Gresham has been In consultation with
the President and the Nicaragusn min.
lister on the subject, and 1t ia believed
that he has been using his best efforts
to prevent resort to extremes by init.
mating that the indemnity had better
be paid.
At London the foreign Office TODAY
authorized The Associated Press to
state that the news sent out from Cor
into, Nicaragua. yesterday as to the ar
rival of three British warships there,
the Royal Arthur, Satellite and Wild
swan, for the purpose OF pressing the
claim of Great Britain for indemnity
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