The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-01-07
FIGHT FOR AN ISLAND.
Colombia and Nicaragua at Outs Over
Valuable strip of l. md.

Colombia and Nicaragua at Outs Over -
Valuable strip of L md.
MANAGUA. Nicaragua, Jan. with
little beating of drums or blowing of
trumpets "a warlike move upon the part
of the republic of Colombia is now be-
inved to have peel checkmated by the
republic Of Nicaragua, although fur
her news from the objective point,
Corn island, is anxiously expected here.
About "a month ago the government
of Nicaragua was informed unoficially
that Colombia had planned to make a
landing Oh Corn island, a valuable
strategic point, situated about 1T miles
off the Mosquito coas belonging to
Nicaragua, whose flag is to be hauled
down and the ensign of Colombia SUBJ
stituted for it. 1t was alleged that
Nicaragua was
O~vertaxing Corn island
and that the inhabitants, numbering n
few hundred, had appealed to Colom-
bia for redress, on the ground that ter
yltory some five miles long, which for
merly belonged to Colombia, was un-
lawfully held by Nicaragua. 1t was
further stated that the project of San
-AIHdreZ, Colombo, had assembled Il
military force and was only waiting
for the arrival Of a Colombian gunboat
Ill order to embark the troops, proceed
to Corn island, seize it and fortify II
against the possibility Of recapture.
That such a plan was discovered there
is no reason to doubt, but President
Zelaya Of Nicaragua took p-ompt steps
to meet this move upon Inc part of the
neighboring republic. Very quietly
ments of n. caraguan Troops
were assembled hre and at Granada
and when all was ready, they vert
sent in small parties across Lake Mica.
ragua and dove the San Juan river to
Greytown and Bluetields. BY this
time the soldiers of Nicaragua are be-
lieved to be in possession of Big and
| Little Corn island, for there are two of
them, and the work of erecting a
strong fort should be progressing. The
troops took all their best guns available
and Il supply Of ammunition and other
supplies. S~torehouses are also to be
constructed at Corn island. OF course,
if the Colombian expedition started
earlier than expected and reached Corn
island before the Nicaraguan troops.
Fighting May Have Occurred
before this, and, if so, the matter may
lead to a general upheaval i'll Central
America, for Colombia 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 Saliva
dor and Honduras i'll support of Mic.
aragua against her. Colombia was also
advised if she still maintained she had
rights over Corn island to submit them
to the arbitration of q disinterested re.
public. To these threats and sugges.
tons apparently no attention was paid,
for it was announced that the Colon.
bian gunboat was being fitted up fol
the transportation of Colombian troops
to Corn island.
Good Thing for Uncle Sam.
Corn island is considered to he abou'
the healthiest spot about the coast OF
Central America. Both Big and Little
Corn island afford good anchorage tC
the largest vessels close to the shore
and, in short, a better spot for a coal
ing station and repair shop for tn
United States war vessels could hardly
be found. Under the circumstances,
when the Nicaraguan canal is built, il
would lie good policy for the United
States to obtain possession of the Corn
islands by purchase or otherwise, ant
have a fine sentry box almost at the AT
lantic entrance of the proposed new
waterway, thus settling all disputes a.
to their ownership.