Evening journal., 1897-01-02
FIGHT FOR CORN ISLAND
Colombia Checlzmated by the
Nicarsguan Republic.
A STRIP OF TERRITORY INVOLVED.

MANAcUA, Nicaragua, Jan. with /
little beating Of drums and blowing of
trumpets a warllke move upon the part of
the republic of Colombia is now believed
70 have been checkmated by the republic
of Nicaragua, although further news from
the objective point Corn island, IS anx-
iously expected here.
A bout a month ago the government Of
Nicaragua was informed unofficially that
Colombia had planned to make landing
On Corn island, valuable strategic spot
situated about 36 miles Off the Mosquito
coast and belonging to Nicaragua, whose
Tag was to be hauled down and the en-
sign Of Colombia substituted for it. 1t
was alleged that Nicaragua was oyertax-
ing Corn island and that the inhabitants,
numbering "a few hundred, had appealed
to Colombia for redress, on the ground
chat the territory, some five miles long,
wh.ol formerly belonged 20 Colombia,
was unlawfully held by Nicaragua 1t
was further stated that the prefect OF san
Andrez, Colombia, had assembled mill
tary force and was only waiting for the
arrival of Colombian gunboat in order
to embark the troops, proceed to Corn is
land seize it and fortify it against the
possibility of recapture.
That such plan was discussed there Is
10 reason to doubt, but President Helaya
Of Nicaragua took prompt steps TO meet
this move upon the part Of the neighbor-
ing republic. Very quietly detachments
of Nicaraguan troops were assem- bled here
aud ut Grenada, and when all was ready
they were sent in small parties across Lake
Nicaragua and down the San Juan river
to Greytow and Bluefelds. BY this time
The soldiers of Nicaragua are believed to
aa n pf Rio fft1a (s11ra -.
lands, for there are two of them, and the
work of erecting a strong fort should be
progressing Ih3 troops took with them
the best guns available and a supply of
ammunition and other supplies Store
houses and barracks are also to be con
structed at Corn island
OF course if the Colombian expedition
started earlier than expected and reached
Corn island before the Nicaraguan troops
lighting may have occurred before this,
and if so the matter may lead to general
upheaval in Central America, for Colon
hia was warned automatically and through
the press early last month that her seizure
of Corn island might lead to a warlike
combination of the republics of Salvador
and Honduras in support of Nicaragua
against her. Colombia was also advised
if she still maintained she had rights over
Corn island to submit them to tho arbitra-
tion of disinterasted republic. To. these
threats and suggestions apparently no at
tention was paid, for it was ann0unced
That the Colombian gunbaat was being flt-
tel mp for the transportation Of the Co
lombian troops 30 Corn island. It's hoped
here that the Niearaguan force reached
there in advance Of the Colombian dctach-
ment
Great Britain Wanted the Island.
Some years ago, at the time work was
beginning on the maritime canal of Nica-
ragua, it was reported that Great Britain
was contemplating laying hands on Corn
island, which, situated at a convenient
distance from the Atlantic entrance of the
canal, would have been quickly converted
into another of the chain of British forts
of the American coast and would have en-
abled Great Britain to practically COM
mand the eastern entrance of the water
way which is in time to join the Atlantic
TO the Pacific. Thereupon Nicaragua act
ing upon suggestions, possibly from the
United states, took formal official posses
sion Of both Big and Little Corn islands,
hosting the Nicaraguan flag over them
with much ceremony and giving diplo-
matte notice of the same.
The British claim to Corn island is un-
derstood to be based on her former preten-
sions, since given up to protectorate
over the Mosquito territory and because
Colombia. which originally owned Corn
island ceded the islands to King George
then governing chieftain under British
auspices, of the Mosquito reservation. CO.
lombia, however, insists that Corn island
was only ceded to King George on the con-
dition that it was to be returned whenever
required Nicaragua, as present owner of
what was the Mosquito reservation, now
part of the republic of Nicaragua, disputes
this point especially as the time fer rails
ing it officially has long since passed, and
holds that Corn island was part Of the
Mosquito territory and as such is now g
portion OF Nicaraguan territory
1t will thus be seen that the dispute is
pretty one as it stands, and that much
may depend upon which country's troops
first land on Corn island and place it in a
state Of defense. The Nicaraguan gov
eminent has strong hopes that the blue
and white flag of Nicaragua is now float
ing over Corn island. Otherwise this news
would not have been allowed to leak out.
Corn island, up to the present, has been
little more than the headquarters of very
numerous bands Of smugglers and it has
hitherto been found difficult, if not i'm
possible to keep a garrison there The
soldiery, having nothing to do but lazily
mount guard now and again while basll-
ing in warm sunshine in a delightful eli
mate soon became too friendly with the
smugglers, and eventually desert in the
smugglers' boats to the east coast Of Mica
ragua and ever after escape from military
duty. Now, however, steps are to be taker
to prevent this dwindling away Of til,
Nicaragua garrison.
The guns taken to Corn island by tn,
Nicaraguan troops are understood to havl
formed part Of the consignment recently
purchased in Germany and are Of moderi
style
Corn island is considered to be tn,
healthiost spot about the coast Of Centra
America. The ground is situated higl
above the sea, and the sides of the large
island are rocky and admirably adapted
to being converted into strong fortified
tions The inhabitants are mainly Indi
ans and smuggiers, although there are
few American and English merchants do
ing business there. Both Big and Iittl
Corn islands afford good anchorage TO tn
Is t4l.a fI.n naftn md I 4