The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-06-02


to Terms by "A Show of Force.
NEW YORK. June a. The Associated |
Press correspondent at Managua, Nicara. |
qua, under date of May ii, sends the fol |
lowing: In view Of the fact that the gov
ernmeDt controlled the wires at the time, |
the correspondent of tho Associated Press |
here has been compelled to send by mail |
the following account Of the landing, on
May 2, at Corinto, of force of about 100
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 foreigners In the custom house and at
the railroad station, subduing a riotous
and drunken mob which threatened to
cause the most serious disturbances
About March "a Samuel Mayorga who
was minister for tho treasury in the Baca
or revolutionary government, made u de-
mand on Mr.. H. S. Harding, an English
subject, controller of the branch at Leon
of the London Bank of Central America,
for a loan of $4,000 on about 1913, 900 of
Nicaragua bonds of doubtful ownership,
threatening to withdraw protection from
the bank if the demand was not complied
with within given time.
Mr. Harding succeeded in staving the
matter off until he managed to have let
tors delivered secretly to Commander
Franklin Hanford of tho United States
cruiser Alert, then the only warship at the
port Of Corinto, and TO the United States
| consular agent at Corinto, Mr. Henry Pal
azio. Commander Hanford Immediately
assured Mr.. Harding that he would re-
sist any effort TO take by force the prop
| erty of citizens Of the United States or of
subjects of foreign governments in friendly
| relations with the United States. Com
mander Hnnford sent this letter by the
! United States consular agent, who took
prompt action and succeededin saving the
money of the English bank from the Mica
raguan officials, while at the same time,
clearly showing the insurgents that the
property of foreigners could not be inter-
fered with.
But on April l6 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 revolutionary government
situated about thirty miles in the interior,
adding that lowing to the fact that the
troops of Honduras (sent to assist the
army of President Zelaya) might at any
time overcome the small force of Presi-
dent Bacas' troops at Corinto, and seize
the millions of dollars worth of mere han
die in the custom house belonging TO citi-
zens of Nicaragua and to foreigners.
1t was evident, however, that the real
object of Mayorga's move was to obtain
possession Of this property and hold it as
security for war loan. The foreigners
protested to Commander Hanford and TO
Captain Henry II, Dyke, Of the British
cruiser Comus, which had arrived at Co
rinto about April 5, The American and
British commanders decided that they
would not allow the insurgents to take
possession of the property of foreigners in
the custom house or rssilroad depot at Co.
rinto, as the latter buildings, being within
800 yards of the guns of the two warships,
were at least as safe as if the property was
at Leon.
This enraged Minister Mayorga 50 much
that he caused the arrest of all natives
in Corinto between the ages of II and &c
years, on the plea that Il great battle was
imminent at Momotombo. After detain-
ing them on the railroad cars for few
hours Mayorga released all of those who
I could pay him from 800 to &250in cash and
returned to Leon with the other unfortu-
nate inhabitants of Corinto without Civ
ing any receipts for the money collected
but declaring that he would return again
= to Corinto. This he did on May /, when
It his party disbanded and sought safety il
flight
Although the chiefs of the insurgent
party succeeded in escaping, IA great mum
ber of the officers and soldiers of the insur
gent army with their arms, flocked tt
Corinto, in the hope of getting out of tn,
|
owing TO the lack of means. The disap
pointed soldiers became reckless after theil
leaders deserted them, began drinking anC
rioting. Some of them succeeded in cross
ing the estuary and made for the woods
. Others commenced robbing houses and
threatening the lives of everyone of the Law
/, and order class at Corinto. Women were
) insulted, and an attack upon the custom
: house was planned.
/ On the morning of May ? the com
3 mandants, at the request of the peaceful
r residents, sent a committee to Chinandegt
: with a letter to Manuel Bonilla, vice pres
ident of Honduras, who was in command
of the troops Of that republic sent TO sup
- mort President Zelaya to send a force L
. protect that port While the COMMITTEES
was away the most serious disorders brok,
out at Corinto. The disbanded soldier
seemed 20 be Insane with drink fObDet
houses, violated women and young girls
e and began gathering about the custom
house. Palmer, the commandant of tn
custom house, hurried "a written reques
for protection 60 Mr.. Henry Palazio, tn
= United states consular agent, requestin
the latter to appeal for help to the com
manders of the American and British wal
, ships in port, the Alert and Comus, ask
ing thonl to land men and take charge q
the port,
Commander Hanford and Captain Dyk
m again consulted and decided to compl
with the request. Consequently, at abou
- p. m. on May ?, force of about 1O
marines, commanded by four officers an
anumber Of midshipmen, were landed froI
the Alert and the Comus The marine
quickly drove tho rioters into hiding. Tn
dag Of Nicaragua was hoisted to the flag
staff IN front of the custom house and tn