Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-09
TROOPS ARE LANDED.
BRITISH SOLDIERS IN POSSES
SION OF CORlNTO.
Serious Complications Are Likely to
Grow Out of the Afair-Corinto Is
Declared a Closed Port-City Practi-
cally Deserted.
Nicaragua's Sharp Move.

The occupation of Corinto by English
forces was peaceably accomplished and,
according to late Nicaragua advices, the
British flag is floating over the public
buildings in the town. Twelve boat loads
of marines and blue jackets, numbering
between $50 and 400 men, left the ships
They met no resistance whatever on land
Ing, and took peaceful possession Of the
town, making their headquarters at the
barracks. Proclamations announcing the
occupation were posted at the corners of
the streets.
The town Is deserted, three-fourths of
the population having withdrawn to the
interior. The local officials locked all the
public buildings. and took the keys with
them. All was quiet, the marines and
blue jackets returned to their ships, leav-
ing behind a guard of about fifty men.
Later on some excitement was visible.
In concluding his communication to the
commander of the port, Rear Admiral Ste
phenson wrote as follows:
"In the event of its being your inten-
ton to offer resistance to my occupying
the town, l give you this timely notice to
remove all women and children to place
of safety, well away from the town, as
intend my ships to open fire on the prin-
cipal buildings"
Nicaragua's reply to the ultimatum of
Great Britain is in substance as follows:
1.-The Government of Nicaragua regrets
its inability to comply with your wishes
There cannot be doubt that justice bids
1t refuse TO comply with the ultimatum,
and 1t considers the proposed method of
carrying the ultimatum into effect as con-
trary to sound principles and the rights of
persons. In virtue of this the Govern
ment solemnly protests against the mill
tary occupation of the port of Corinto,
against all acts of jurisdiction which you
or any of your subordinates may exercise
in Nicaraguan territory, and against any
violent means that may be used TO force
Nicaragua to comply with the ultimatum
as being contrary to the sovereignty of
the republic and highly offensive to its
dignity and independence. The Govern
ment persists in proposing arbitration or
any other means recognized by the laws of
nations for the settlement of the ques-
tions in dispute"
The reply means that the Government
of Nicaragua declines to accept any re-
sponsibility for consequences which may
follow the occupation of Corinto. The
President has ordered that no Pacific
mail steamers shall call at Corinto. The
Nicaraguan Government is sending out a
circular note to the European and other
nations justifying its conduct during the
present incident.
Uses Uncle Sam to Secure Delay.
1t is said that the Central American re-
publics, Guatemala, San Salvador and
Costa Rica, strongly urged Nicaragua to
pay the $4,000 indemnity to Great Brit
ain. President Yglesias even went 20 far
as to offer to contribute one-fifth of the
amount, but popular sentiment in Nicara-
qua was so set against England that the
administration decided not to yield, and
the only response received by President
Yglesias to his offer was n copy of Nicara-
gua's answer to Admiral Stephenson's
ultimatum.
The United States attempted to adjust
the pending dispute between Great Brit
ain and Nicaragua. Ambassador Bayard.
acting under instructions from Washing
ton, represented to the British foreign
Office that Nicaragua, if given two weeks
additional time from the expiration of the
three days fixed in the ultimatum, would
meet Great Britains demand for the pay
ment of f15,OO0 indemnity for the expul-
sion of Proconsul Hatch. Lord Kimberly
acceded to this, and. as it was presumed
that the State Department at Washing
ton was acting for Nicaragua, it was
thought that the incident would be closed
without any further complications. But,
as Nicaragua refused at the last moment
to acquiesce in this arrangement, the orig
inal plan of occupying Corinto was car
ried out. 1t is now believed here that
Nicaragua secured the intermediation of
the United States for the sole purpose Of
delay.