The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-04-25
IS 1T A ARITISH BLUFF :?
The Red Shirted Boys Landed Under
Cover of Guns
The American War Vessel Is Nearly Thousan
lilies Away, but Foreign Interests
viii Be Looked After

are TO De OCcuple ana BRUSH Ot1cers
are TO exercise the function of collectors
of customs At the same time Nicara-
guam local commerce is be crippled by
the blockade. The coast defense vessel
Monterey is still at Acapulco, Mexico
| about 800 miles north of Corinto. She is
expected to sail southwark very soon, but
no special orders have been sent her
since she sailed from San Diego.
| As to the landing OF British marines at
Corinto it is stated by officials that this
will not menace or endanger the interests
| of the United States or other fore ign RS.
The case of the British mbardment
of Alexandria is cited to show the British
policy toward foreigners at threatened
point. In that case Great Britain wished
to strike Egypt. but to do SO she was
compelled to injure some foreign in
terests at Alexandria. Notice was there
fore given that foreign interests would be
protected with every precaution possible.
and if they were injured as an incident
to the attack, compensation would be
made. Subsequently the few foreign in
terests which suffered were voluntarily
remunerated by Great Britain. 1t is said
the same policy will be used at Cornto.
Great care will be taken to protect for
eign interests. and should the latter suffer
indirectly they will be compensated for
loss.
Sir Julian Paunceforte, the British am
bassador. has not been advised by the
home government as to the contem plated
blockade and landing of troops in Mica
ragua. But in British circles this course
has been accepted as certain for some
time. Such assurances as Great Britain
mas given to the United States have been
to Am bassador Bayard in response to in
quiries.
Corinto is the best port of the Central
American states on the Pacific coast 1t
is important to Nicaragua as it is the ter
minus of the line OF the Central railroad.
The port of San Juan del Sur has har-
Dor OF average size and is in communica-
ton with Lake Nicaragua by maoadam
road built by the New York and Califor-
mia Transit company. Corinto is the
heaviest import point in Nicaragua. The
imports there for 1892 were So, 0)5, S05
while all imports at other points did not
exceed $500 900. 1t is evident from this
why the British chose Corinto for their
strike. Almost one-half of the imports
at Corlnto are from Great Britain, SO that
the British seizure OF the custom house
will result in their receiving the customs
due from British merchant ships. The
British imports in 1919 were " 1872 COL
those of the United States came second
At 81 4s saa s73i G5esrmany, 81, o42, o55;
trail American countries. The imports of
San Juan were S19S, $50.
s the COrlnto imports average about
$500, 600 monthly, it would not take long
for Great Britain to appropriate the $780,
900 demanded. The tariff rates of Mica
Igua are such that the Sc, 006, 500 of i'm
ports in 1891 yielded 81, 05S, Alb in customs
duties. Most Of this was collected at Cor
rlnto. AT this rate the receipts at Corinto
would reach $75, 900 within thirty DAYS
unless commerce was diverted to other
ports. 1t is a significant fact that the
largest part Of Nicaragua foreign debt is
represented by bonds held in Lonon and
payable there in 1899. This foreign debt
aggregates 81, los, 225 The London holders
have thus far received the interest on the
bonds very promptly. If, however Mica
ragua is crippled by the seizure of her
customs recelpts,it may react by failure
to meet the interest on the bonds held in
London. The diplomatic representatives
of the Central and South American re-
publics are very much disturbed by this
late feature OF the case (the meeting of
bond obligatiuns) for they fear it orens
a vista of endless trouble and aggression
in the future. Their idea that. once
Great Britain has been, permitted,
without interference. to collect this spe-
cial indemnity, she will avail herself of
the excuse offered by the failure of n ca-
ragua to meet her interest payments on
foreign debts to assume the task of col
Letting this forcibly in the same manner
notwIths tanding the fact the failure NAV
be brought about by her own seizure of
applied to the payment of this interest
OF course this would necesstate the occu-
patton of Corinto. which would only add
to the distress of Nicaragua, and should
she then be unable. as seems lively, to
meet this. last demand the occupancy
hn .tnft,, tf1l,,
amount to permanent occupation OF
the territory. Ibis is the reasoning of
the South Americans and they find in
dividual cause of apprehension in the
fact that almost all of these little repub-
lies owe sums of money to European
on account of interest or prin-
eiple of national debts, and they fear that
for the first time the principle may be
laid dowA and enforced that European
government may assume the collection of
debts owing to ! is citizens as individuals
and not to the European nations, doc
trine which they assert would be particu-
larly obnoxious if applied to SOM of the
states of the American union winch have
defaulted in their debts TO foreign bond
holders.
The outcome of this Nicaraguan Incl
dent is also felt by the same diplomats to
be full of significance to Venezuela, and |
it is feared by them that having once
uii'Sh III nv "S'SS. oISdI DIlldlu
scarcely can be expected to refrain from
pressing forward with very vigorous
in the matter of the Venezuelan |
boundary dispute, and at once establish ]
ing herself as the mistress of tie Orinoco
1t is felt here that the present situation
is one justifying apprehension and anx- !
iety OH the part Of our own government |
While it is not expected tnat the Mica
raguan government will offer any armed |
resistance to the landing of the British
forces, still it is feared that during the
time the town of Corinto is occupied by |
foreigners, the natives may be restrained |
with difficulty and the close contact into |
which the two discordant elements will |
be brought might at any mo-
ment lead to all outbreak winding up in |
general-war. rs sS
ST. LOUIS. April "a "A special to the |
Republic from Washington says:
The president is much concerned over |
the situation in Nicaragua. Secretary
Gresham this morning interviewed Sir |
Julian Pauncefote, the British ambassa-
dor, and NicaragaaT, Minister Guzman |
drove out to Woodley and laid before |
President Cleveland the Latest phase of |
the indemnity trouble. A0ne ,by one the
members Of theicapi net dropped in and a
special meeting was convened shortly
after noon. The outcome Of the discussion |
is understood to be that the 1adminlstra-
ton is disposed To tise its; good offices be-
wpep Nlcara b ia 81 IA e{Sra.,f Rritain 60 !