The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-28

of the day in diplomatic circles here were
the landing OF the British troops at
Corinto, the abandonment of the town
by the native officials and the popula-
ton. and the shrewd move OF the Mic
araguans in declaring Coriuto a closed
port. The first news Of the event came
In the afternoon. DR.. Guzman had been
waiting for several hours at the state de-
partment 10 see Secretary Gresham. lie
was in a fever of anxiety. and in the
absence OF news from his own govern
ment came 10 learn what the department
had received as 10 the British movements
at Corinto. He was unable TO see the sec
retary this morning. as Mr. Gresham has
been suffering from severe toothache
and was obliged TO spend some time I'm a
dentists chair.
At noon the ministev returned to his
home for luncheon and found there two
kilograms from his government. for
warded from San Juan del Sur. the Mic
araguan cable port about rs miles south
of Corinto. The first cablegram stated
that the British troops had landed at
Corinto, and that the British flag was
flying over the town. which had been de-
serted by the Nicaraguan officials and
the native inhabitants. The second cable
gram showed that the authorities had
gone 10 San Juan del Sur cutting the
wires connecting the cable port with
the latter place could not communicate
with their home government except by
sending a boat TO the cable station. The
main body OF the Nicaragusns who had
abandoned Corinto had crossed a lagoon
which separate the town from the main
land. and had strongly entrenched them
selves. This Information was promptly
communicated to the state department.
Or Guzman, who has been In iii-health
and has suffered 50 from the nervous
strain OF the last few weeks as to he
Obliged TO take 10 his bed this afternoon.
would not do so until he had gone
through the rain 10 see Secretary Gres-
ham and officially communicate the sub
stance OF his cahegrams TO him.
The news. II was apparent. was not ex-
pected by the state department. which
had never believed that the Nicaraguans
would go TO the length OF permitting the
occupation of Corinto In preference TO
paying the indemnity. That the only dim
Guilty in the way OF speedy settlement
of the trouble was that arising from the
trouble experienced by the Nicaraguan
government IN raising the money hastily.
and that the British admiral would he
indulgent on this point when satisfied
OF the disposition OF the Nicaraguans 10
comply with the terms Of the ultima atum
had never been doubted by the Depart
ment.
For this reason. the first reports OF the
occupation Of Corinto received at the de-
partment from unofficial sources were dis
credited and doubts expressed as 20 their
accuracy. The secretary had been un-
able 10 obtain any definite information
from his own agents as 70 the action of
the British. probably for the reason that
Mr. Baker. our minister 10 Nicaragua is
not at present In that country. and there
"a no charge at Nanagua. There IS a
consular agent az Corinto. Henry Palazio.
but he IS not an American. and could
scarcely be relied upon in matter Of
this kind 20 keep the department In
formed. In the absence OF express orders
The situation az Corint0 ts nov re-
garded as ominous Of serious trouble for
the dispatches indicate that The Nirar-
aguans are disposed 20 resist any further
advance by the British The infeFna 4ian
reaching here Is 20 the eTa.t thar the
NtcaraEuans may further Isolate the
British A. Cortnto by burning the bridges
across the lagoon sepa rating the town
from the mainland The British position
Is said - be very had frYrn a strategic
standpoint. The town IS practically on
an island, being separated from the main
Land BY a stretch OF marshy ground This
is traversed 10y bridges. and WI hosgt
them Corinto IS cut OF from the shore.
TIE Nscsragg1ans have retired 30 the
shora eDd OF the bridges, and those we'll
Informed on the situation believe that Il
the British make auy movement 70 cross
the lagoon the BRIGGS viii be burned and
the little hand of <iraraguam TROOPS VIII
make a stand against further eacroach D.
uents
The Pit Esh are evidently app~ohansfve
of trouble on this score. az tEsiheafesi ~
the esblegrarns from Colon showing that
fha three vessels the Royal Arthur. TIE
Wild Swan and the Satellite. have been
50 y,lsespi a. 20 command the t0wn attn
their guns. Il "a probable that this DIS
v.o<stfsrr has been made 50 as - insure
the OCCUPYING forces. mann ne.rf1g about
aaa armed men from an attack from the
Nararaguanz. rather taan with any de-
lfhsrata purpose OF hogn harding the town,
Tor there IS no evidence that tne British
desire 20 a1vance into The Interior a.
r,resSss,lt aad i was certainly n0t a par;
O. The original programme of operations
ss made kno~n 20 our government. 20
bes-rs2rd the place
The rgsws OF the si'uati ion a. Coriuto
e-szt.e9 a comua0tion here. and particular
Is IN fh, state department. SIR Julian
pagrs-esasa. the British afgos sesadOr,
came o the department. and. after ~
a5eIs4sy IN private c01staitdtf msxsa seae-
resarv fs~ess1ann for = saort fErna. fae tssa
~,a-eaf~e7 q, tns war APARTMENT - consul,
wrftn sSe-rcrs,-a ~ Lamont. The latter was
absent Al fhs time. but cornkg4g - ister
-s.nasresa Immediately 70 sks state do
-.s~.uys-,s. ard faske<f over rrsaf tssrs wsth
fsa ss~essssenr Later oa. fse Fsexs earn.
% tlvss sseysartrTasnt BY The Assoc4afssd
Press from C0son thst TIRE $ic4rszzssr
guverrnaast had u,a1e a Shsrp move -
declaring Corgzto closed pso.t. TIA