Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1897-01-06
A STRATEGIC POINT
Colombia Striving to Get
Corn Island.
NICARAGUA REsIsTs THE MOVE
inforce the Garrison There--se-
rious Trouble May Follow.

Managua, Nicaragua, Jan. 4.-With
little beating of drums or blowing of
trumpets, a warlike move upon the part
of the republic of Colombia is now be-
lieved to nave been eheckmated by the
republic of Nicaragua, although further
news from the objective point, Corn
island, is anxiously expected here.
About a month ago the government
of Nicaragua was informed unofflcialiy
that Colombia had planned to make a
landing on Corn island. valuable
strategic point situated about thirty
six miles off the Mosquito coast, be-
longing to Nicaragua, whose flag was
to be hauled down and the ensign of
Colombia substituted for it. 1t was
alleged that Nicaragua was overtaxing
Corn island, and that the inhabitants,
numbering few hundred, had appealed
to Colombia for redress, on the ground
that territory some five miles long,
which formerly belonged to Colombia,
was unlawfully held by Nicaragua.
1t was further stated that the pre- ect
of San Andrea, Colombia, had assem-
bled military force, and was only
waiting for the arrival of Colombian
gunboat in order to embark troops and
to proceed to Corn island and secure
and fortify it against the possibility of
recapture. That such plan was dis
cussed there is no reason to doubt, but
President Zelaya, of Nicaragua, took
prompt steps to meet this move upon
the part of the neighboring republic.
Very quietly detaohments of Nicara-
guam troops were assembled here and
at Granada, and when all was ready
they were sent in small parties through
Lake Nicaragua and down the San
Juan river to Greytown and Bluefields
BY this time the soldiers of Nicaragua
are believed to be in possession of Big
and Little Corn islands, for there are
two of them, and the work of erecting
a strong fort should be progressing.
The troops took all the best guns avail
able, and supply of ammunition and
other supplies. Storehouses are to be
constructed at Corn island.
OF course, if the Colombia expedition
started earlier than expected and
reached Corn island before the Mica
ragua troops, fighting may have oc-
Cured before this, and, if so, the mat
ter may lead to general upheaval in
Central America, for Colombia was
warned, automatically and through
the press, last month that her seizure
of Corn island might lead to warlike
combination of the republics of Saliva.
dor and Honduras in support of Mica
ragua against her. Colombia was also
advised, if she still maintained that
she had rights over Corn island, to sub
NIT them to the arbitration of disin-
terested republic.
To these threats and suggestions ap.
parently no attention was paid, for il
was announced that the Colombia gun
boats were being fitted out for the
transporting of Colombian troops tc
Corn island. 1t is hoped here that
the Nicaragua forces reached there in
advance of the Colombian detachments
Some years ago, when work was be
/ ginning ON the maritime canal, it wa
reported that Great Britain was con
templating laying hands on Corr
island, which, situated at convenien
distance from the Atlantic entrance Il
the'canal, would have been converted
into another chain OF British forts of
the American coast, and would hav,
4 enabled her to be practically in CON
mand of the eastern entrance of thu
waterway which is in time to join tn,
Atlantic and the Pacific. Therefore
Nicaragua, acting upon the suggestion
of the president of the United States
took possession of both Big and Littl
Corn islands, hosting the Nicaragua
flag over them with much ceremony
and giving diplomatic notice of tn
same.
The British claim to Corn island i
understood to be based on her forme
pretensions, since given up, TO pro
tectorate over the Mosquito territory
and because Colombia, which originall
owned Corn island. ceded the island /
King George, then the governin
chieftain, under British auspices, c
the Mosquito reservation. Colombis
however, insists that Corn island wa
only ceded to King George on the cor
dition that it was to be returned wheI
ever requested.
Boys Played with His Head.
- i