Evening star., 1895-04-29
N|CARAGUA'S SCRAPE
England's Occupation Of the Port
of Corinto.
A CENTRAL AMERICAN ALLIANCE
Little News Received Here and
Officials All Reticent.
MR.. GUZMAN'S ADVICES

1t was expected that the situation of af-
fairs in Nicaragua had at last reached
point where the administration could safe
ly acquaint the public with it's course of
action IN the controversy between Great
Britain and Nicaragua, but apparently
such Is not the case. All the officials con-
versant with the position of the govern
ment in that affair are consistent in their
policy of silence. and applica cations for in
formation at the White House and at the
State and Navy Departments today were
met with the usual laconic statement that
there is nothing to be said on that subject"
One official went so far, however as to in
innate that everything would come out
in proper time" His idea of the proper
time probably means when the President
sends his next annual message to Congress.
in December next, or. If not then, when
the diplomatic correspondence for 1890 is
published, some time in the spring of 1896.
All Silent Today.
Whether this impression is true or not, 1t
is fact that no official light was thrown
en- the situation today. Information. more
or less authentic, continues to be circulated
through diplomatic channels. One report
that Is said to be reliable is that positive
assurances have been given the admins
tration hat the British forces will be with
drawn from Nicaraguan territory as soon
the Hatch indemnity of $4,000 shall
have been collected. How soon that result
will be accomplished is matter Of specu-
lation entirely. but it seems to be accepted
that the United States sees no reason for
intervention on behalf of Nicaragua under
existing conditions.
1t is said that Great Britain will under
take to expedite compliance with its de-
mands by the bombardment of Corinto and
Cther Nicaraguan ports but 1T Is believed
that such a course will not be adopted, ex-
cept as a last resort, In case less violent
methods fail.
Warner Miller's Anxiety.
Mr.. Warner Miller, president of the Mica
ragua Canal Company. is in the city for
the alleged purpose of having the admin
istration take steps for the protection of
the canal property, which would undoubt-
eddy suffer in the event of revolution in
Nicaragua. 1t is said that he has consult
ed with the authorities on that subject,
but to what effect is not known.
Not Much Interest Shown.
There is apparently very little excite
ment in official circles today over the sit
uation, and affairs seem to be moving in
their usual routine. The President spent
the day at the White House, and had no
callers of Importance up to 2 o'clock. Sec
rotary Lamont came there about 10 O'clock
but the President had not yet arrived, and
he went away without seeing him.
The President spent most of the fore
noon In the company Of the Detroit artist
who is painting his portrait. This work
Is being done in the library over the blue
parlor which room has been fitted up a
studio for the purpose. The President has
given a number of sittings there and
the artist is making good progress in his
work. This mornings sitting was longer
than usual
No News From Nicaragua.
Minister Guzman's visit TO the State De-
partment was to learn whether the depart
ment had any recent information from
Nicaragua. In this he was disappointed,
for Secretary Gresham was equally in the
dark, not having received anything from
Managua. Corinto being cut off from the
telegraph. of course news could be ex-
pected from that point.
The impression here is that the situation
at Corinto is likely to remain unchanged
for few days at least. The British forces
occupying the town are not likely to be
attacked unless they endeavor to force
their way inland, and so far as is now
known there is no present necessity for
any such movement. The abandonment of
the town by the Nicaraguans on the whole
rather tends to better the aspect of affairs
just now, for 1t reduces to minimum the
CT ances of a hostile collision. and the very
isolation of the place from the surrounding
country tends to the same end.
State Department officials still firmly
convinced that the Nicaraguan government
Win pay the indemnity, and believe that
the delay grows entirely out of considera-
tions of political .exped!ency.
The Central American Alliance.
The Nicaraguans here count on the active
sympathy and substantial support of the
other Central American republics in the
event of actual hostilities. They do not
express the belief that their sister re-
publics will take part as such, but feel
come to the Nicaraguans in sufficient num-
bers to give them effective army of at
least 10000 men. While with this force
they could not expect to defeat the British
they hope to make 1t very uncomfortable
for them. The coast towns, which are
small and unimportant save as ports of
entry for goods, would be abandoned and
the army would make its campaign in the
tropical Businesses of the interior, which
are well nigh inaccessible to European
troops. a war conducted under such
Britain, necessitating the transportation
of a genuine army from Europe and pro-
longed operations. such as France Is con-
Quoting in Madagascar.
was at the State Department at IL o'clock
today. He had not. up to that time. re-
ceived additional advices as to the situa-
ton at Cornto, and this fact led to the be-
lief that the status of the British occupa-
ton was unchanged.
Great Britnin's Bill of Expenses.
1t was stated here today that Great Bri-
tain probably would require Nicaragua to
pay not only the original cash demand, but
all the expenses Great Britain is put to in
occupying and holding Corinto, and the ex-
pense of such further steps as she will
take. This will include the expense of
landing the men. their cost of maintenance
while on land and the many incidental ex-
penses of taking possession of city. 1t is
said that the assembling of The fleet at
Corinto and the expenses while on board
ship would not be included, these are
usual and necessary without reference to
the locality OF the ships.
Tho CruiSer 0lymuin