The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-02

Copyrighted. 1897. by the Associated Press
MANAGUA. Nicaragua. Jan. With
little beating of drums or blowing OF
trumpets. The warllke move upon the part
OF the republic of Colombia is now be-
lfeved 10 have Seen checknatei by the
republic OF Nicaragua, although further
news from the objective point. the Corn
islands. Is anNieusly expected here.
About a month ago the government Of
Nicaragua was Informed. uncfficiany, that
Cc,ombia had planned TO make a landing
on enc OF the Corn islands, a valuable
slretegic spot. situated about thirts-slx
niles east Of the Mosquito coast. belong
ing 10 Nicaragua. whose flag WAS TO be
haGsed down and the ensign Of Colombia
substituted for Il. Ii was alleged that
Nicaragua was overtaxing the island and
that the inhabitants, numbering few
N rdred had appealed 10 Colombia for
redress, on the ground THAI the territory.
some I'VE miles long, which formerly be-
longed 10 Colombia, was unlawfuliy held
by Nicaragua. It was further STAYED that
the pf eject Of san Andrea Colombia. had
assembled a military force. and was once
waiting the arrival OF a Colombian gun
boat in order 10 embsrk the troops TO pro-
ceed 10 Corn Island. seize II and rorufy
il against the possibility OF recapture.
such a plan was discussed. there Is no
reason 10 doubt but President Zelaya OF
Nicaragua. took prompt steps 90 meet
this move upon the part Of the neighbor-
ing republic. Very quietly detaehments or
Nicaraguan troops were assembled mere,
and at Granada. and when all was ready
there were sent I'm small parties across
Lake Nics ragua and down the san Juan
river 10 Greytown and Bluetlelds.
BY this time the soldiers OF Nicaragua
are believed to be in possession OF Big
and Lattle Corn islands, and the work OF
erecting strong fort should be progress
ing. The troops took ali the best guns
available and a supply or ammunition and
other supplies. Storehouses are also 20
De- constructed at Corn island
OF course, II the Colombian expedition
started earlier than expected and reached
the Corn island before the Nicaraguan
troops. fighting may have occurred before
this. and, II so. the matter may lead TO
a general upheaval in Central America,
for Colombia was warned, automatically
and through the press last month, that
her seizure of the islands might lead TO a
warlike combination Of the republics or
Salvador and Honduras. In support OF Nj
cAragua against her. Colombia was also
advised that IL she stiil maintained she
had rights over the Corn Islands, TO sub
mil them To the arbitration OF "A disinter-
ested republic To these threats and
suggestions. apparently no attention was
paid for it was announced that the Coll
ornbian boats were being fitted out for
the transporting of Colombian troops To
the islands 1t is hoped here that tha
Nicaragusn forces reached there IN ad-
vance OF the Colombian detachment.
Some years ago. at the time work was
beginning on the maritime canal OF Mica
ragus Il was reported that Great Britain
was contemplating laying hands on the
Corn islands which. situated at a con-
venient distance from the Atlantic en-
trance OF the canal, would have been
quickly converted into another OF the
chain of British forts OF the American
coast and would have enabled her 20 be-
practically IN command of the eastern
entrance of the waterway which is In time
70 join the Atlantic 70 the Pacific There
upon Nicaragua. acting upon suggestions.
possibly from the United States, took Of
ffcial possession OF both Big and Little
Corn Islands. hotstinR the Nscaraguan flag
over them with much ceremony and CIV
ing diplomatic notice OF the same. The
British claim 20 the Corn islands Is un-
dersto0d 10 be based on her former pre-
tensions since given up, 10 proteetnrsts
over the Mosquito territory and because
Colombia, which originally owned the
Corn islands. csded them 20 King George.
then the governing chieftain. under Brit
ish auspices. Of the Mosquito reservation.
Colombia. however. insists that the Corn
islands were once ceded 20 King George
Sn the condition that they we're 20 he re-
turned whenever required. Nicaragua as
present owner OF what was the Mosquito
reservation. now part OF the republic Of
Nicsrag gua, disputes the point. and espe-
cially as the time for raising n officially
has long since passed. and holds that tho
islands are part OF the Mesquite territory,
and as such are now a portion OF Mica
raEuan territory.
X VIII thus be seen the dispute is a
pretty one. and that much may depend
upon which country's troops FIRST land and
place the islands in a state Of defense.
The Nicaraguan government has strong
hopes that the blue and white flag Of
Nicaragua IS now floating over the islands.
otherwise this news would not have been
allowed 10 leave
Up 20 the present the islands have been
little more than the headquarters OF very
numerous bands % sEnugEIerz and n has
hitherto been found difficIlt IL not i'm
possible 20 keep a garrison there Tho
soldiers having nothing 10 do but lazily
mount guard now and then while "a skiing
I'm the warm sunshine IN a delightful cli-
mate. soon become 100 friendly with the
snuggiers and eventually desert. In tho
srnuggicrs' boats 20 the east coast of Me-
araguz and thereafter escape from mil
starry duty. Nov. however. steps are 10
De taken 20 preven; this dwindling away
OF the Nicarsguan garrison.
The guns 70 he taken 10 the Corn ISL
auds by the %icaraguan troops are under
stood to have formed PARK OF the eonsin-
gent recently purchase In Germany, and
are of modern style.
The Corn Stands are considered 10 be
the healthlest spot about the coast ~
Central America The ground fs high
above the sea, and the sides Of the larger
island are rocky and admirably a6apted
for conversion into strong fertilization.
The inhag.ta ats are mainly Indians and
smuggiers. There are also a few Amer
lean and English merchants doing htzf-
ness there Both Big and fAttla Corn ISL
ands afford good anchorage 20 tae largest
vessels close 20 the shore. ard. IN short.
a better spot for a coallng station and
repair shop Tor the United States var
vessels could harry be found Under me
circuuS tances. when Tae %teara guam ca
raj - built Il would - good policy for
the United States 20 obtain possession %
the Corn islands by purchase Or otherwise.
ard have a nue sertry COX almost ~ ths
Atlantic entrance % ths proposed new
waterway. faus settling ali disputea a. %
their ownership. The garrison" on the
corn islands .ateiy hss been a s0-called
..v0vern0r'' and three policemen