The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-05-15
BRITISH IN NICARAGUA.
They Take ForcibIe Possession Of the
Port Of Corinto.
NO RESISTANCE WAS OFFERED.

twenty-five Boatloads Of Bluejackets and
Marines Land on Nicaraeuan Soil With!
Machine Guns at the Bows-The Town
Deserted-Enrland's Difficulty in COL
Iecting Her Debt.
A dispatch from Corinto. Nicaragua. says:
The occupation Of Corinto by English forces
is now an accomplished fact. and the British
flag is floating over the public buildings In
thetown.
Twenty-Five boatloads ofmarines and blue
jackets. numbering between $50 and 400 men,
left the ships at o'clock a. m. on the day
get by the British in their ultimatum de-
handing the immediate payment of the sF5,-
700 "smart money" awarded to Consul Hatch
for his expulsion from Nioaraguan territory. /
Thew met with no resistance whatever on
landing and took peaceful possession OF the
town, making their headquarters at the bar
racks. Proclamations announcing the occu-
patton were posted at the corners of the
streets. 49,.
The town is deserted. three-sourths Of the
population having withdrawn to the interior. |
The remaining local officials are leaving by q
special train. They have locked all the pub
lie buildings and are taking the keys away
with them. As all were quiet, the marinesE
and bluejackets returned to their ships, leav-i
ing behind guard OF about fifty men. Later
on some excitement was visible.
In concluding his communication to the
commander of the mort. Rear Admiral
Stephenson wrote as follows:
SIN the event Of its being your intention
L. 49, b. x{y<s AL
town, give you this timely notice to removed
all women and children to place Of safety
we'll away from the town, as intend myl
ships to open fire on the principal build
in0s."
Nicaragua's reply to the ultimatum from
Great Britain was handed to Rear Admiral
Stephenson at six o'clock p. m. Itisin sub
stance as follows: 90
"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 It con
siders the proposed method OF carrying the
ultimatum into effect as contrary to sound
principles and the rights Of persons. In
virtue Of this the Government solemnly pro-!
tests against the military occupation Of the
port of Corinto, against all acts OF jurisdicdon
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 thel
Republic and highly offensive to it's
dignity and independence. The Gov
ernment persists in proposing arbi-
tration or any other means recognized by the
laws Of Nations for the settlement OF the
questions In dispute" /
The reply means that the Government OF
Nicaragua declines to accept any RESPONSE
bility for consequences which may follow the
occupation Of Corinto. 4
despatch from Managua, the capital,
says that the populace Of the city rose enf
masse, calling upon the Government to re-
fuse to accept the ultimatum and to resent
the insult to the Nation. The mob went to
the barracks and got the military band, with
which 1t paraded the streets. Wild enthust-s
asm prevailed and the crowd filled the air
with their shouts, crying "Hurrah for free
Nicaragua and the Americans" Down with
the Englishr' and "Death to tyrantsm
When passing In front Of the British Con-
sulate the mob attempted to tear down the
English coat Of arms displayed over the door
Fifty policemen, with revolvers In their
hands, opposed the mob. They drove 1t back,
and finally succeeded In frustrating Its de-
sign. '.s. :.
The National palace is filled with all
classes Of people, begging to be given arms
that they may 90 to Corinto and fight tha
tslegraphed to the other municipalities OF the
Republic urging that resistance should be
offered by the entire country.
The President has ordered that no Pacific
Mail steamers shall call at Corinto. The
Nicaraguan Government sent out circular
note to the European and other Nations JUS
tifying its conduct during the present incl
dent. -
A Colon dispatch says that the Niearaguan
forces at Corinto withdrew, crossing the la
goon separating the town from the main
land, and are now strongly intrenched there.
The British ships had taken position
from which they can aren fire II the Nicara-
guam forces should attempt to interfere with
the occupation Of the town. Corinto Is
almost deserted, q bombardment having been
generally expected.
The town OF Corinto Is so situated as to be
almost entirely surrounded by water. It Is
connected with the mainland by bridge 600
yards in length. The Corinto soldiery and
people removed to the mainland across this
bridge. The town has population OF about
1000 souls. Many Of the inhabitants are
foreigners, principally Americans, Germans,
Italians, and British, engaged In trade. It
Is the principal port of entry for Nicaragua.
Should the determination not to pay the
s75, 900 indemnity demanded by Great Britain
be adhered to, the occupation o. Corinto by
the British forces may be indefinite.
Declaring Corinto closed port means
that no goods can now be entered at
Corinto, port which has heretofore re-
ceived over half the imports into the
country without violating the law OF
Nicaragua. The British may collect
duties II any goods enter the place, but
the latter would be liable to seizure the
moment they crossed the British lines
into the interior. They must do this to find
market, for the coast, being unhealthy, Is
thinly populated, and the great consuming
class OF the population lives in the interior.
In this case the length Of the stay OF the
British at Corlnto Is problematical, condi-
tional as it Is upon collecting enough revenue
from customs to make good the indemnity
demanded.
Great disappointment Is expressed at the
failure Of the United States to secure some
modification Of Great Britain's terms. MIR.
Bayard's request for brief respite In order
that Nicaragua might pay the indemnity In
London was refused by Lord Kimberley.
Had this respite been granted Nicaragua
would have borrowed the money In New
York to settle the British demand.
The last advices from Corinto were that
the opposition to President Zelaya threatened
to start movement to overthrow his admin
istration.
Next W. C. T. U. Convention.
October 18th has been fixed for the date
Of thenex National Convention Of the W.
IT