The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-06-02

quest for protection to Mr.. Henry
Balazio, the United States consul
agent, requesting the American to ap-
peal for help to the commanders Of
the British and American warships in
port, and asking them to land men and
take charge of the port and protect the
persons and property of Nicaraguans
and foreigners and of the government
of Nicaragua until the government of
President Zelava could send troops.
About 1 p. m on May 2, a force of
about 100 marines quickly drove the
rioters into hiding.
By order of Lieutenant Baker. the
flag of Nicaragua was again hoisted
to the fiagstaffs 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
British flag was hoisted by Lieutenant
Levin of the Comus, on the south side
of the building and also on the west
end of the railroad station.
In less than half an hour after the
marines landed perfect order and peace
prevailed in Corinto and the residents
hurried to bedeck themselves in holt
day attire, in honor of
THEIR GALLANT RESCUERS.
In the evening General Metuta of
Honduras and about eighty soldiers
arrived at the outskirts of Corinto and
sent forward a messenger demanding
the surrender Of the custom house,
railroad station and port Immediately
and that the marines return to their
ships.
Lieutenant Baker received the mes
sage and sent reply asking for a
written request from President Zelaya
or from some official of his govern
ment. Metuta evidently had no such
authority, and he returned to Anaya
highly offended, after writing Lieuten-
ant Baker, full of self eulogy, telling
Of his greatness and pointing out what
pigmies all other persons We're when
compared to him.
About IL o'clock in the morning on
May 3, General Metuta again appeared
at Corinto with about eighty Hondur-
aneans and proceeded toward the
custom house. General Metuta, after
a parley with the young lieutenant in
command of the British marines, was
allowed to pass, with some of his
aides, to the headquarters of Lieuten-
ant Baker of the Alert. There he
stated he came with authority of
President Bonilla, president of Hon
duras, the commander of the Honduran
allies of Nicaragua to occupy Corinto
and
RELIEVE THE FOREIGN MARINES
from protecting the property of the
government of Nicaragua, etc. 1t was
not then known in Corinto what great
outrages the Hondurean soldiers had
committed on women and girls at
Elvayajo, nor was it known they had
destroyed a great deal of property
while occupying that place during the
past two months, or General Mututa' s
reception might not have been as
| pleasant as it was. However, Lieu
tenant Baker signalled for Com
mander Hanford and Captain Dyke
who soon arrived at the custom house
For an hour or so they patiently
listened to Metuta's buster, but when
he threatened to occupy Corinto with
out waiting for President Zelaya's
order although the latter was only
about thirty miles away. the Ameri-
can and British commanders decided
to teach the Hondureans lesson. A
few sharp orders were given and the
American and British marines, fully
armed and equipped, were drawn ur
at their different stations ashore; the
Alert was singalled to steam up to
opposite the custom house and the
CoMUS CLEARED FOR ACTION.
These preparations had a calming
! effect upon Metuta. He began tc
| apologize as theoretically as he had
at first attempted to bluff, promised
to retire with his troops if the Ameri-
4 can and British commanders would
permit him, etc. Finally it was
agreed that Metuta and his soldiers
/ should be permitted to come in out cd
the hot tropical sun and roost ur
stairs in the telegraph Office at the
northwest corner of the custom house
square, but they were warned to keer
quiet and to behave themselves unit
advices were received from President
Zelaya.
A train at about p. m. arrived al
Corinto from Chinandega bringing
about sixty Nicaraguan soldiers, under
General Emilio Herrera, with a letter
from General Murelies Estrada, e
close personal friend of President
Zelays and commander-gene of the
civil department of the republic The
letter was addressed to the United
States consul at Corinto notifying hin
General Herrera had been appointed
conlmandant at Corinto and assuring
him and the commanders of the United
States and British warships that HER
|
reliable man, who would protect life
and property and that Corinto nigh
be turned over to him with safety a:
the representative of the legal govern
ment of Nicaragua.
General Bonilla, president O
Honduras also reached Corinto by tn,
same train and at a conference with
Commander Hanford, Captain Dyke
and General Herrera, apologized fol
the conduct of General Metuta. Term.
were agreed on and at about a. m
May 4, Corinto was turned over to tht
Nicara guam forces. When Presiden
Zelaya was informed of the occurrence
he at once telegraphed his apprecia
ton and approval to the American lie
cation, with his thanks and later tele
graphed an invitation to Commando
Hanford and Captain Dyke and thei
officers to visit Managua and enjoy tn,
hospitality of the government o
Nicaragua.
WALLlNG WILL SWING.