The herald., 1896-06-02

OF Nicaragua until the government Of
ABOUT pm. on May I'd, a. force OF. about
PRESIDENT Zelaya could send troops.
ioO marines quickly drove the rioters into
hiding.
By order of Lieutenant Baker the
flag Of Nicaragua was again hoisted to
the hagstaffs in front of the custom
mouse and the stars and stripes were
noisted on the flagstaff at the northeast
side OF the custom house. The British
flag was hoisted by Lieutenant Levin
or 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 hol-
iday 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 q messenger demanding
the surrender Of the custom-house, the
railroad station and port Immediately.
and that the marines return to their
ships.
Lieutenant Baker received the mes
sage and sent reply asking for writ
ten request from President Zelaya, or
from some official of his government.
Metuta evidently had no such authority
and he returned to Amaya highly Of
Tended after writing Lieutenant Baker,
full Of self eulogy. telling of his great
ness and pointing out what pigmies all
other persons were when compared to
him.
About II o'clock in the morning Of May
Sd, General Metuta again appeared at
Corinto with about eighty Hondurans
and proceeded toward the CUSTOM
house. General Metuta. after q parley
with the young lieutenant in command
Of the British marines, was allowed to
pass, with some of his aides, to the
headquarters of Lieutenant Baker. Of
the Alert. There he stated he came with
authority of President Bonilla, presi-
dent Of Honduras, the commander of
the Honduran allies of Nicaragua, to oc-
cupy Corinto and relieve the foreign ma
rines from protecting the property of the
government Of Nicaragua, etc.
1t was not then known in Corinto what
great outrages the Honduran soldiers
had committed on women and girls at
Ell Viejo, nor was 1t known they had
destroyed great deal Of property
while occupying that place during the
past two months or yet Mututa's reign
might not have been as pleasant as 1t
was. However, Lieutenant Baker sig
nailed for Commander Hanford and
Captain Dyke, who soon arrived at the
patiently listened to Metuta's bluster.
but when he threatened to occupy Co
rinto without waiting for President Ze-
laya's orders, although the latter was
only about thirty miles away, the Amer
lean and British commanders decided
to teach the Hondurans lesson.
A few sharp orders were given and the
American and British marines, fully
armed and equipped, were drawn up at
their different stations ashore; the Alert
was signaled to steam up opposite the
custom house and the Comus cleared for
action. These preparations had q
checking effect upon Metuta. He began
to apologize as energetically as he had
at first attempted to bluff. promised to
retire with his troops II the American
and British commanders would permit
him, etc.
Finally 1t was agreed that General
Metuta and his soldiers should be per-
mitted to come in out of the hot tropical
sun and roost up stairs In the telegraph
Office at the northwest corner Of the Gus
tom house square. But they were
warned to keep quiet and behave. them
selves until advices were received from
President Zelaya.
A train at about s p. m. arrived at
Corinto from Chinandega bringing
about sixty Nicaraguan soldiers. under
General Emilio Herrera, with letter
from General Auerelies Estrada, q close
personal friend Of President Zelaya, and
commander general of the civil depart
ment of the republic. The letter was
addressed to the United States consul
at Corinto, and assuring him and the
commanders of the United States and
British warships that Herrera was an
honest, oool. prudent and reliable man,
who would protect life and property,
and that Corinto might be turned over
to him with safety as the representative
of the legal government Of Nicaragua.
General Bonilla, vice-president of
Honduras, also reached Corinto by the
same train, and at a conference with
Commander Hanford, Capt. Dyke and
General Herrera apologized for the con-
duct of General Metuta. Terms were
agreed on, and at about o'clock a. m.,
May 4th, Corinto was turned over to the
Nicaraguan forces. When President
Zelaya was informed of the occurrence
he at once telegraphed his appreciation
and approval to the American legation
with his thanks, and later telegraphed
an invitation to Commander Hanford
and Captain Dyke and their officers to
visit Managua and enjoy the hospitality
of the government of Nicaragua.
COMUS IN PORT.
SAN DIEGO, June 1.-The British
cruiser Comus, Captain Dyke, arrived
this morning from Corinto. She left
Esquimalt some months ago under seal
ed orders which took her t0 Corinto to
protect British interests during the rev.
olution. She arrived there April 9Th, and
participated with the U. s. s. Alert in
taking charge Of the munitions of war
left by fleeing insurgents and handing
them over to the authorities. The Comus
is on her way to Esquimalt, and will
sail Wednesday,.