The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1897-01-03
NICARAGUA AND COLON
BlA CLAIM II.
A CONFLICT is PROBABLE.
Colombia Plans to Seize u Nicaragua
steals March by Taking Prior
Possession Troop. Supposed to
Hc Now at work Erecting
y Fort aud store Houses
on the Island

MANAGtA, Nicaragua. Jan. with
little beating of drums or blowing OF
trumpets war-ille move upon the
part OF the Republic of Colombia is
now believed To have been checkmat-
ed 10y the Republic OF Nicaragua,
although further news from the OBJ
iective point, Corn Island. is anNiously
expected here.
About month ago the government
Of Nicaragua was informed. unofficial
lv. that Colombia had planned To make
landing on Corn Island. valuable
strategic spot. situated about thirty
siN miles OIL Mosquito coast belonging
80 NicaraguG whose flag was to be
hauled down aud the ensign of Colombia
substituted for it 1t was alleged that
Nicaragua was oVertaNing Corn Island.
and that the inhabitants, numbering
few hundred. had appealed to Colon
bia for redress ON the ground that
that territory. some live miles long.
which formerly belonged To- colombia.
was unlawfully held 10y Nicaragua II
is further stated that the project of
san Andrez. Colombia. had assembled
military force and was only waiting
for the arrival of "a colombia gun boat
in order 10 embark the troops. to pro-
ceed 10 Corn island. seize it and fortify
it against the possibility of recapture
That such a plan wa, discussed there
is no reason tu doubt. but President
Zelaya of Nicaragua took prompt steps
to meet this move upon the part of the
ueighboring rcpHblic Very quickly
detachmentS of Nicaraguan troops
were assembled here and at Granada.
and when all was ready they were
sent in small parties across LIKE Mica
ragua aud down the san Juan river to
Grcytown and Blurtields by this
time the soldiers OF Nicaragua are be-
lieved so be- in possession of Big and
Little Corn islands, for there are Two
Of them. and the work of erecting a
strong fort should he prOgr >>ig.
The troops took all their best gums
available. and Il supply OF ammunition
and other supplies. store houses are
also TO br constructed at Corn island.
OF course. IL the Colombian cNprdi-
tion started earlier than expected. and
reached Corn island nefOre the Near
aguan troops. fighting may have oc-
currcd before this. aud. II 80, the mat
ter may lead TO q general upheaval in
Central America, for Colombia was
warned. diplomaticall lly and through
the press, early last month. that her
seizure Of Corn island might lead to
warlike combination of the Republics
OF Salvador ana Honduras in support
of Nicaragua against her Colombia
was also advised. If she still main
tanned She had rights over Corn island.
to submit them To the arbitration Of
disinterested republic
70 these threats and suggestions APP
parently no attention was paid, for il
was announced that the Colombian
gunboa was being fitted up for the
transportation Of Colombian troops To
Corn island. II is hoped here that the
Nicaraguau forces reached there in al
vance Of the Colombian detachment
Cot: i~,. ld is considered 10 I've the
bCalt pot about the coast of Cen
"a The ground is 50 high
ga and the sides OF the
! are rocky and admirably
ieing converted into strong
s.. The inhabitants are
,iians and smugglers, also
there are a few Americans and English
merchants there. Both Big and Little
Corn island afford good anchorage TO
the largest vessels close To the shore,
and in short a better spot for coaling
station and repair shop for the United
States war vessels could hardly be
faupI