The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-06-02
BeIated Account of the banding at
Corfnto of American and English
Marines from War Vessels.
CITY SAVED FROM PILLAGE
AND DEFENsELEss WOMEN PRO-
TECTED FROM DRUNKEN MOBs.
Custom House Held, Despite the Blus-
ter OF Honduras General with
Very SweIled Head.


York. June LIN view of the fact that the
government controlled the wires at the time
the correspondent Of the Associated Press
has been compelled to send by mail the
following account of the landing, on May
2. at Corinto. of force of about one hun
dred American and British marines from
the United States cruiser Alert and the Brit
ish cruiser Comus, who, acting in the most
perfect harmony. occupied that port and
protected, until May 4. the property of for
eigners in the custom house and at the rail-
road station, subduing a riotous and drunken
mob which threatened to cause the most
serious disturbances.
During the recent revolution IN Nicara-
qua there were remarkable instances Of the
lawless manner in which so-called ministers
OF provisional governments can act when
they have the opportunity. For instance,
about March "a, Samuel Mayorga, who was
Minister for the Treasury in the Baca, or
revolutionary government, made demand
on Mr.. HI. s. Harding an English subject
controller OF the branch at Leon OF the Lon
don Bank Of Central America, for a loan of
$50, 600 or about $33, 900 of Nicaragua bonds OF
doubtful ownership, threatening to withdraw
protection from the bank IL the demand was
not complied with within given time. Mr..
Harding succeeded in staving the matter OF
until he managed to have letters delivered
secretly to Commander Franklin Hanford,
OF the United States cruiser Alert, then the
only war ship at the port of Corinto, and to
the United States consular agent at Corinto,
Mr.. Henry Palazio. Commander Hanford
Immediately assured Mr.. 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 friend
ly relations with the United States. Com
mander Hanford sent this letter by the
United States consular agent, who took
prompt action and succeeded in saving the
money of the English bank from the Nicara-
guam officials. while. at the same time. Gear
ly showing the insurgents that the property
OF foreigners could not be interfered with.
On April 16 Minister Mayorga issued a
decree, in the name of the revolutionary
government, declaring that the officers and
books OF the custom house at Corinto were
to be at once removed to Leon. the capital
OF the-rvol6tionafy government situated
about thirty miles in the interior. adding
that lowing to the fact that the troops of
Honduras (sent to assist the force of Presi-
dent Daca's troops at Corinto and seize the
millions of dollars worth of merchandise
Nicaragua and to foreigners. as they had
robbed private dwellings and stores in the
town Of Eviejo. twenty-five miles from
Corinto) Samuel Mayorga. Minister OF the
Treasury, had gone to Corinto with railroad
trains in order to remove the merchandise.
belonging largely to foreigners. from
the custom house Of Corinto to
Leon. 1t was evident, however.
that the real object Of Mayorgas move
was to obtain possession of this property and
hold it as security for war loan. The
foreigners protested to Commander Hanford
and to Capt. Henry HI. Dyke. of the British
cruiser Comus, which had arrived at Corinto
about April 5.
THE MINISTER ENRAGED.
The American and British commanders
decided that they would not allow tho in
surgents to take possession Of the property
Of foreigners in the custom house or rail-
road depot at Corinto. AS the latter build
ings were within six hundred yards Of the
guns of the two war ships they were at
least as safe as il the property was at Leon.
This enraged Minister Mayorga so much
that. he caused the arrest OF all native
males In Corinto between the ages of sew
enteen and seventy years on the plea that
a great battle was imminent at Momotombo.
After OBTAINING them on the railroad cars
for a few hours Mayorga released all those
VINO could pay him from 500 to 500 cash
and returned to Leon with the other unfor-
tunate inhabitants of Corinto, without CIV
ing any receipt for the money collected,
| but declaring that he would return again to
| Corinto. This ne did on May l, when mis-
party dsbanded and sought safety in flight,
with considerable sums of money extorted
| from the people of Nicaragua. They es-
| capped to Guatemala In a small schooner.
the commanders Of the American and Brit
ish war ships having no authority to arrest
| them. But their flight showed the necessity
| of protecting the property of foreigners to
be greater than ever.
| party succeeded in escaping, a great num-
| ber of the officers and soldiers of the insur-
| gent army, with their arms, focked to Co
rinto IN the hope OF getting out Of the coun-
| lack of means The disappointed soldiers
| became reckless after their leaders deserted
| them, and began drinking and rioting. Some
| of them succeeded in crossing the estuary
| and made for the woods. Others commenced
| robbing houses and threatening the lives Of
everybody of the law and order class at
| tack on the custom house was planned.
The native commandantS and the handful
OF police & al the port & We're e utterly tie dmpotent
| May 2, the commandants. at the request of
| the peaceful residents, sent committee to
Chinandagas e,s with letter EFT to Manuel Bonilla.
| command Of the troops of that republic
| sent TO support President Zelaya Senior
| Bonilla was at FL Vayko, and when he re-
| ceived the request from Corinto to send a
| force 10 protect the port he promised to
| comply. There considerable delay, and
| the few policemen sent did not reach CO.
| rinto until D. m, which would have been
! too late to save the custom house and its
| contents. although Chinandaga is only about
| TWENTY-FIVE miles from Cornto
While the committee was away the most
| serious disorders broke out at COrinto. The
| disbanded soldiers, seeming to be insane
! with drink, violated women and young
| girls and began gathering about the custom
| house. Palmer, the commandant of the
| custom house, hurried written request for
protection TO Mr.. Henry Palazio. the United
| States consular agent, requesting the lat
| OF the american and British war ships in
| port. the Alert and Comus, asking them to
| land men and take charge of the port and
protect the persons and property of Nicara-
| guans and foreigners and of the govern
ment of Nicaragua until the government OF
President Zelaya could send troops.
MARINES LANDED.
Commander Hanford and Captain Dyke
again consulted and decided to comply with
| the request. Both of these officers had been
ashore. and from personal knowledge were
aware OF the terrible state OF affairs exist
ing. Consequently at about p. m. on May
2. force OF about 100 marines. commanded
| by four officers and a number of midship-
men. were landed from the Aler. aAd the