New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-12
OLNEY ACTS as PEACEMAKER.
TRYING TO SETTLE THE DISPUTE BE-
TWEEN COLOMBIA AND NICARAGUA
THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE OWNERSHIP OF
THE CORN ISLANDS-TTIE SECRETARY
ACTING ~ BEHALF or
NICARAGUA.
[By TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUw : ]

Washington Feb. 1l.-Secretary Olney has con-
sented 10 serve as best friend" to Nicaragua in
controversy which that republic has got into Win
Colombia Mr. Olney has entered actively upon
the discharge Of this duty and IS showing energy
in the matter. with view to an early settlement
~ tho dispute The controversy between the two
countries began some time ago. ana has become
rather serious Secretary Olncy hopes to prevent
hostilities and induce Colombia to enter into an
arrangement or agreement whereby d" ""ilS""''
adjustment Will be reached.
The question in controversy between the repuo-
ucs is the possession OF two islands lying off the
coas; OF Nicaragua, known as Great corn ana
Little Corn Islands Both Islands are small The
larger one has some value commercially Its chIei
MINISTRIES are cattI.raising tn cultivation of GER
tain fruits and the cutting and shipping ol tc"
fine woods which grow In som abundance. S'raieg
icallv the island IS OF some Importance. In the
early DAYS ~ President Clevelands Administra-
ton a report was in circulation here that the
island had been offered to this country by MICA
ragua to be used az coaing station or point oil
defence near the eastern end OF the proposed canal
The offer was undoubtedly made. lut was not &C
| cepted This was abour the time Great Britain
made her demand upon Nicaragua FOR indem-
| nifty. the payment OF which was finally agreed to
| bv the republic when English marines were landed
| at Corinto.
Little Corn Island Is OF 10 particular value COM
| merciay othcrwse.
| colombia however seems attach Importance
70 the possession Of both Islands She has Informed
Nicaragua that the Islands belong to her. and has
intimated In a diplomatic way that she proposes To
| take them. Both islands have long been regarded
bv all countries particularly the United States. as
| mart of Nicaragua. Until recently that republics
| ownership has not been questioned. ana COLOMBIA $
action In advancing claim to them just now has
| occasioned no little surprise.
| So far as be learned. no European Power IS
| behind Colombia. il has been limited that Eng
hand mo Iack of ne
| ment but there appears TO be no good reason to
suspect that this is the fact. Certainly. officials Mt
the State Department are satisfied that Great Brit
ain is directly indirectly Interested IN Colon
bia claim \ story has been told here that Engan'.
fears that Nlc iragua would again offer Great corr.
Island to this country soon after President McI>in-
ley Is installed in Office. and has urged Colombia
20 claim ownership ana press her claim To prevent
such a ccssion - the United states. Secretary
Olney has found that there is nothing substantial
1t is suspected that Colombia has given up all
hope that the Panama Canal VIII ever be CON
plced, but that she believes the canal through
Nicaragua will sooner or later be dug ana that she
wishes to be in Il positiol TO have something to say
relative to its construction and control. Thus fai
Colombia real motive for claiming ne lSl' . y
| tarN Olney Informed upon what she bases hci
claim. The NcaraRuan Government is equally -
o aS gaF h P ba rsd f ny Nca ara to N
ragua has 5ked him = act as her best friend an
10 ilnd out II possible upon what StounuS , Vo,n
hla puts her tue ana also why she has brought VI
Mr.. Oney My agreed to accept the Office few
days ago Ii, has already Informed Colombia o.
question lie Secretary knows enough Of tn
controversy % indicate that an carly scttlemen
that II a friendly understanding = nol sooI
rea chcd serious results may follow. Therefore h
A state Department official said to-day that Sec
retarv sherman would probably have to c2nsde
American republic were slow in actine on ali dip
l0matic questions. and that when Colombia lraTne,