The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-06-02
JOHN BULL And
UNCLE SAM
Together Protect Property in Nicara-
qua From Rapine by
Drunken NObs.
STRANGE STATE OF AFFAIR!
Bsnt Officers Saved From Robbery by rrss-
eaee Of Mad Of Manager sad Prompt
Action Of L. S. Naval
Commander.

Managlia. Nicaragua. May n-Cspeclai
correspondence Associated Press, copy
righted 6ssD-In view Of the fact that
the government controlled the wires al
the time. correspondent OF the Asso-
ciated Press here has been compelled 10
send by mail the following account OF the
landing on May Ind at corinto. OF a force
OF about 100 American and British ma
rines from the United States steamship
Alert. and the British cruiser comus,
who. acting in perfect harmony. oecu-
pied that port and protected until May
the property OF foreign houses in the
custom house and at the railroad station
subduing riOtous and drunken mob
which threatened TO cause most serious
disturbances.
During the recent revolution in Mica
ragua there were remarkable instances OF
the lawless manner In which the so-called
ministers OF the provincial governments
can act when they have the opportunity.
For instance, about Starch 6. Samuel
Mayorga. who was minister for the treas
ury in Baca OF the revolutionary govern
ment. made demand on s. II. Harding
an English subject. controller OF the
branch at Leon, OF the London Bank OF
Central America. for a loan OF 5000 on
about 300 OF Nicaragua bonds OF doubt
ful ownership, threatening TO withdraw
protection from the bank II the demand
O.,
Harding succeeded in staving the mat
ter on until he had letters delivered Sc
cretly TO Commander Franklin Hanfori,
OF the United States steamship Alert,
then the only warship at the port OF Co
rinto, and TO the United States consular
agent AT Corinto, Henry Balazio. Com
mander Hantord Immediately assured
Harding that he would resist any effort
TO take by force the property OF citizens
OF the United States or OF subjects OF
foreign governments in friendly relation
with the United States. Commander Han
ford sent this lettere by the United
States consular agent. who took prompt
action and succeeded In saving the money
OF the English bank from the Nicaraguan
officials while at the same time clearly
showing the insurgents that the property
OF foreigners could not be interferd with.
But on April l6. Minister Mayorga is
sued a decree In the name OF the revolu-
tionary government declaring that the
officers and books OF the custom house
AT Corlnto were TO be at once removed to
Leon. the capital of the revolutionary
government. situated about thirty miles
In the interior, adding that owing TO the
fact that the troops Of Honduras (sent
TO assist the army OF President Zelayal
.g.-Ae - 81 ,aNI
force OF Bacas troops at Corinto. and
seize millions OF dollars worth OF mer-
chendise In the custom house belonging
to citizens OF Nicaragua. and to foreign
ers as they had robbed private dwellings
and stores in the town of FL viejo. twen-
ty-five miles from Corinto." he, Samuel
Mayorga. minister OF the treasury. had
come to Corinto with railroad trains to
remove the merchandise belonging to for
eigners from the custom house OF Co
rinto to Leon.
II was evident. however. that the real
object Of Mayorga was TO obtain possess
sion Of this property and hold II as Sc
curity for the war loan. The foreigners
protested to Commander Hanford and to
Captain Henry II. Dyke. OF the British
cruiser Comus. The American and Brit
ish commanders decided that they would
not allow the insurgents to take possess
sion OF the property of foreigners In the
custom house or railroad depot at CO.
rlnto This enraged Minister Mayorga so
much that he caused the arrest of all
native males in Corinto between the ages
OF II and 20 years. on the plea that a
great battle was imminent at Momotom-
bo.
After OBTAINING them on the cars few
hours, Mayorga released all of those who
could pay him from 500 to $3.50 in cash
The disappointed soldiers became reckless
after their leaders deserted them and be-
gan to drink and riot They commenced
robbing houses and threatening the lives
of everybody OF the lower class at Corin-
to. Women were insulted and an attack
on the custom house was planned. The
soldiers seemed insane with drink. They
robbed houses, violated women and young
girls, and began gathering about the GUS
tom house.
About p, m. May a force of about
100 marines quickly drove the rioters into
hiding, BY order of Lieutenant Baker
the flag OF Nicaragua was afterwards
hoisted to the Flagstaff In front of the
custom house and the stars and stripes
was hoisted on the flagstaff at the north
east side Of the custom house. The Brit
ish flag was hoisted by Lieut.. Levin, OF
the Comus, on the south side of the
building and also on the west end of the
railroad station. In half and hour after
peace prevailed In Corinto.