The herald., 1897-01-02
GRIM Y|SAGED WAR
MENACES COLOMBIA
Mastery Strategy Shown
by Nicaragua
An EXPEDITION TO CORN island
Will Make the Place Impregna.
bic as Gibraltar
TOOK THEIR GUNS WITH THEM
And Such Other Supplies as Were
Promptly Available
Colombian Troops Also Started and May Get
There First
TOOK THEIR GUNS WITH THEM
And Such Other Supplies as Were
Promptly Available
Colombian Troops Also Started and May Get
There First
The Garrison Of a Governor and Three
Policemen Had Long Since De-
serted to Engage In the
Smuggling Industry.
Associated Press Special Wire

MANA0UA, NlcafaS uta Jau' 1'~NSoP-
wright 1s91)-With little beating of
drums or blowing of trumpets. a warlike
move on the part Of the republic OF Co.
lombta is now believed to have been
checkmated by the republic of Nicara-
qua, although further news from the OBJ
jective point, Corn island, Is anxiously
awaited here.
About q month ago the republic OF
Nicaragua was informed, unoff1cially,
that Colombia had planned to make
strategic spot, situated about thirty
ak miles off the Mosquito coast, belong
landing on Corn island, a valuable
ing to Nicaragua, whose flag was to be
hauled down and the ensign of Colom-
bia substituted for 1t. 1t was alleged
that Nicaragua was overtaxing Corn
island, and that the inhabitants, num-
bering a few hundred. had appealed to
Colombia for redress on the ground that
the territory. some five miles long,
which formerly belonged to Colombia,
was unlawfufly held by Nicaragua. 1t
was further stated that the project Of
San Andrea, Colombia, had assembled
q military force, and was only waiting
for the arrival of Colombian gunboat
In order to embark the troops to proceed
to Corn island, seize 1t. and fortify it
against the possibility of -recapture.
That such a plan was discussed there
IS no reason to doubt, but President Ze-
laya Of Nicaragua took prompt steps
to meet this move on the part of the
neighboring republic. Very quietly de-
tachments of Nicaraguan troops were
assembled here and at Granada, and
when all was ready they were sent in
small parties across the Lake Mica
ragua, 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
Is said to be progressing. The troops
took all the best guns available and
ammunition and other supplies. Store
houses are also to be constructed at
Corn Island.
OF course II the Colombian expedition
started earlier than expected and reach
ed Corn island before tho Nicara guam
troops, fighting may have occurred be-
fore this. and If so the matter may lead
to general upheaval in Central Amer
lea, for Colombia was warned, diplo-
matically and through the press, early
last month that her seizure Of Corn
island might lead to a warlilse combina-
tion OF the republics of Salvador and
Honduras In support of Nicaragua
against her. Colombia was also advised
II she still maintained she had rights
over Corn island to submit them to the
arbitration of dislnterested republic.
To these threats and suggestions ap-
parently no attention was paid, for II
was announced that the Colombian
gunboats were being fitted out for trans
portatfon Of Colombian troops to Corn
island.
1t is hoped here that the Nicaraguan
forces reached there in advance of the
Colombian detachment.
Some years ago, after work was begun
on the maritime canal Of Nicaragua It
was reported that Great Britain was
contemplating laying hands on Corn
island, which is situated at convenient
distance from the Atlantic entrance of
the canal, and would have been quickly
converted into another of the chain of
British forts off the American coast, and
would have enabled her to be practically
IN control of the eastern entrance of the
waterway which is in time to join the
Atlantic to the Pacific. Thereupon
Nicaragua, acting upon suggestions
possibly from the United States, tool,
Official possession Of both Big and Little
Corn island, hoisting the Nicaraguan
nag over them with much ceremony and
The British claim to Corn island Is
understood to be based on her former
pretensions, since given up, to a pro-
tectorate over the Mosquito territory
and because Colombia, which originally
owned Corn island, ceded the islands to
King George, then the governing chief
tain. under British auspices, of the
Mosquito reservation. Colombia, how
ever insists that Corn island was ceded
to King George on the condition that II
was to be returned whenever required
Nicaragua, at present owner of what
was the Mosquito reservation. now part
of the republic Of Nicaragua, disputes
the point and especially as the time fol
raising 1t officially has long since pa ssed
and holds that Corn island was part OF
the Mosquito territory, and as such Is
now portion of Nicaraguan territory
1t will thus be seen that the dispute is
pretty one and that much may depend
upon which country's troops first land
on Corn island and place it in a state OF
defense. The Nicara guam governmen
has strong hopes that the blue ana white
flag Of Nicaragua is now floating owe,
Corn island otherwise this news would
not have been allowed to leak out
Corn island, up to the present. ha.
been little more than the Headquarters
of very numerous bands of smugglers
and it has hitherto been found difficult
II not impossible, to keep a garrison
there. The soldiers. having nothing Il
do but lastly mount guard nov and