Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1895-05-02
NEWS OF MANY KINDS
NEWS OF INTEREST AND MORE
OR LESS IMPORTANCE.
Great Britain Sends Fleet and Lands n
Force of Marines to Enforce Demands
for Indemnity for Expulsion of Consul
Hatch-Serious Trouble Expected.

Washington: The British fleet,
which was sent to Nicaragua to en-
force the claim of Great Britain of
SIS, 900 indemnity for the expulsion of
Consul Hatch during the Bluetelds
troubles last year, has landed troops
at the port of Corinto and Rear Admi-
raj Stephenson has announced that
the payment of the indemnity will be
forced.
1t will be remembered that several
weeks ago the United States secured
delay of action by Great Britain on
the ground that Nicaragua would pay
the indemnity, but the little republic
backed out at the expiration of the
time asked for and Great Britain again
commenced hostile action which cul-
minated in the seizure of Corinto to
collect the revenues. The Nicara-
guans promptly declared Corinto a
closed port SO that dutiable goods may
not be landed there. The native officials
and population abandoned the town
and the authorities went to San Juan
del Sur, the Nicaraguan cable port
cutting the wires connecting the cable
port with Corinto so that the British
forces at the latter place could not
communicate with their home govern
lutllb CACCDb ny oCholhk u bOdb w WIG
cable station, 125 miles. The main
body of the Nicaraguans who had
abandoned Corinto crossed a lagoon
which separates the town from the
mainland and strongly entrenched
themselves. The situation is now re-
garded as ominous of serious trouble
for the dispatches indicate that Mic
araguans are disposed to resist any
further advance by the British.
Uncle Sans Position In the Trouble.
Washington: The situation in Mic
aragua, with the British occupying
Corinto and the port declared closed
by the Nicaraguan government, pre-
sents many possible complications.
From the best information obtainable
it seems almost certain that the ad-
ministration will not attempt any in
reference with the dispute between
Nicaragua and Great Britain as long
as the latter confines itself to the col
lection of the indemnity. 1t is stated
that the state department has all along
advised Nicaragua that the expulsion
of Consul Hatch was an otfense that no
self-respecting country could overlook
and prompt reparation was due Great
Britain. There can be no doubt that
the action of the Nicaraguans in de-
claring Corinto a closed port has seri-
| ously complicated this most trouble
some question, and may force Great
Britain to more drastic measures, but
even if there is no resort to hostilities
at present, it opens prospect of alarm
ing events in the future, which may,
and in fact are, even regarded rs likely
to involve the United States directly
in the affair in spite of the earnest dis
position of the administration to avoid
the ENHANCEMENT.
If the occupancy of Coriuto fails in
| its object and Great Britain should de-
clare war on Nicaragua, it is said that
| the administration would still decline
to interfere SO long as the war was
carried on, not for the ACKNOWLEDGMENT
of Great Britain or the acquisition of
territory, but for the sole purpose of
collecting the indemnity. To go be-
yond that, however, the administra-
| ton, it is said, would consider viola
ton of the Monroe doctrine, also a
violation of the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty which would not be tolerated.
But it is not believed in official circles
that Nicaragua will carry her resist
/ ance much further Public sentiment
| in Nicaragua, it is believed, has com
| PEELED President Zelave to make a
show of resistance. 1t is confidently
believed that rather than suffer the
seizure of other ports, or bombardment
she will comply and pay the indemnity.