The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-04-25
WILL LAND MARINES,
Great Britain Will Occupy Nfcaraguan
Territory Today If Her Demand
Is not Conceded.

Washington, April 24.-Exact official
information has been received as to
Great Britain's belligerant steps in
Nicaragua British troops are to be
landed alt Corinto, the custom houses
are to be occupied, and British officers
are to exercise. the functions of coll
lectors of customs. AT the same time
the Nicaraguan local commerce is to
be crippled by blockade. The coast
defense vessel Monterey, is still at
Acapulco, Mexico, about 800 miles north
of Coanto. She is expected Ito soil
southward very soon, but no special
order has been sent her since she sail
cd from San Diego. The limit of the
time allowed Nicaragua to yield expires
tomorrow and the blockade. cts. is to
begin immediately aGterward. There
is good reason TO believe Nicaragua
will mot yield, hut allow British troops
to OCCUPY Corinto in order that con-
spicuous ahtentlon may be drawn to
what IS regarded by Nicaragua as an
invasion of the Monroe doctrine.
Corlnto is the heaviest import point
in Nicaragua. The imports there for
1922 were s6,OO6,S05, while all the Inn
ports at other points did mot exceed
$5OOOOO. 1t Is evident from this why
the British chose CoTinto for their
strike Almost one-half the imports at
Corinto are from Great Britain. so
that the British seizure Of the custom
house will result in their receiving the
customs due from the British mer-
chant ships. The British imports in
1912 were $2,142,6Ol those of the
United States came second ait 81, 1,497,-
go; German, s1,O42,O55: France, $685.
144 It is a significant fact that the
largest part Of Nicaragua's foreign
debt, is represented by bonds held in
London and payable There i'm 1899 This
foreign debt aggregates $2,1O5, 225. The
London holders have thus far received
interest ON the bonds very promptly;
IL, however, Nicaragua Is crippled by
the seizure of Iher customs receipts 1t
may react by failure to meet the in
terest on the bonds held in London.
Diplomatic representatives OF Central
and South American republics are very
much disturbed by this late feature
Of the case (uhe meeting of the bond
obligations) for fear THAT 1t opens a
vista Of endless trouble and aggression
in the future, Their idea that once
Great Brlbain has been permitted,
without interference, to collect this
special indemnity, she will avail. hdt.
self of THE excuse offered by the fail.
ure of Nicaragua to meet her interest
payments on foreign debts TO assume
the task of collecting phis forclbly In
some manner. The outcome OF this
Nlcaraguan incident Is also felt by
some diplomlatiats to be ful OF signl-
flcance to Venezuela, and vt Is feared
by them chat having once driven In
the wedge Great Britain can scarcely
be expected to refrain from pressing
forward with every vigorous measure
In matters of the Venezusla boundary
dispute, and at once establishing her
self as mistress of the Orinoco. 1t is |
felt here at present that the situation
Is one iustlfylng apprehension, and
anxiety on the part of our own gov
ernment
AS to the handling Of British marines
at Corlnto, At is stated by officials that
this viii not menace or endanger the |
interests Of the United States or other
foreigners The case Of the British |
bontbardment of Alexandria is cited to |
Show the British policy toward for
elgners ait the threatened point. In |
that case Great Britain wished TO |
strike Egypt, but Ito do so she was
ompelled to inture some foreign in
terests at Alexandria. Notice was |
therefore given THAT the foreign inter-
ests would be projected with every |
possible, and II they were
injured as incident to the ATTACK, COM
pensaton would be made. Subsequent |
ly few foreign Interests which suffer-
ed were voluntarily remuneiated by |
Great Britain. IT is said THAT the same
policy win be used ait Corlnto. Great
care will be taken to protect foreign |
Interests and should the latter suffer !
indirectly they win be compensated for
loss.
cornto Is the best port OF the Cen.
trial American states on the Pacific
coast. II Is most important to Mica
ragna, as 1t is the terminus Of the nne
Of the Central railroad.