Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-02
FIGHTING FOR CORN ISLANDS
Nicaragua and Colombia Both Anxious for
Posse ssion.
VALUABLE AS A C0ALING STATION
Central American Republic Supposed
to Have Captured the Prize ana
Placed Garrison In Charge
Home for Pirates.
E AS A CoALING STATION
Copyright. 1897. by the AssocIatea pressl


of Colombia is now believed to have been
checkmated by the republic of Nicaragua, al
though further news from the objective point,
Corn islands, is anxiously expected here.
About month ago the government of
Nicaragua was informed unofTicially that CO.
lombia had planned to make landing on
Corn islands, a valuable strategic spot, sit
uated about thirty-six miles off Mosquito
coast, belonging to Nicaragua, whose flag
was to be hauled down and the ensign of Co
lombia substituted for 1t. 1t was alleged
that Nicaragua was overtaxing Corn island
and that the inhabitants, numbering few
hundred, had appealed to Colombia for re-
dress on the ground that the territory, some
five miles long which formerly belonged to
Colombia was unlawfully held by Nicaragua
II was further stated that the project OF
San AndleZ, Colombia, had assembled mill
tary force, and was only waiting for the
arrival OF a Colombian gunboat in order to
embark the troops to proceed to Corn is
lands, seize and fortify them against the pos
Sibility of recapture. That such a plan was
discussed there Is no reason to doubt but
President Zelaya of Nicaragua took prompt
steps to meet this move upon the part of
the neighborlng republic. Very quietly de-
tachments Of Nicaraguan troops were as
sembled here and at Granada, and when all
was ready they were cent in small parties
across Lake Nicaragua and down the San
Juan river to Greytown and Bluefeds.
BY this time the soldiers of Nicaragua are
believed to be in possession of Big and Lit
tie Corn islands, for there are two OF them,
and the work OF erecting strong fort should
be progressing The troops took all the
best guns available and a supply of ammu-
milton and other supplies Storehouses are
also to be constructed at Corn island
MAY HAVE BEEN A FIGHT.
OF course if the Colombian expedition
started earlier than expected and reached
Corn islands before the Nicaraguan troops
fighting may have occurred before this and
II so the matter may lead to a general up
heaval in Central America for Colombia was
warned automatically and through the press
early last month that her seizure OF Corn
islands might lead to a warlike combination
of the republics of Salvador and Honduras in
support of Nicaragua against her. Colombia
was also advised, IL she still maintained she
had rights over Corn Islands to submit them
to the arbitration of disiDterested republic
To these threats and suggestions apparently
no attention was paid, for 1t was announced
that the Colombian gunboat was being fitted
up for the transportation of Colombian
troops to Corn Islands. 1t is hoped here that
the Nicaraguan forces reached there in ad-
vance of the Colombian detachment
Some years ago at the time work was be-
ginning on the Maritime canal of Nicaragua,
1t was reported that Great Britain was con-
templating laying hands on Corn islands,
which, situated at a convenient distance
from the Atlantic entrance of the canal,
would have been quickly converted into an
other of the chain of British forts OFF the
American coast, and would have enabled
her to be practically In command of the
eastern entrance of the waterway which is
in time to join the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Thercupon Nicaragua acting upon sugges-
tions possibly from the United States, took
official possession of both Big and Little
Corn islands hosting the Nicaragua flag
over them with much ceremony and giving
diplomatic notice of the same.
The British claim to Corn islands is under
stood to be based on her former pretensions,
since given up, to a protectorate over the
Mosquito territory and because Colombia
which originally owned Corn islands, ceded
the islands to King George, then the govern
ing chieftain, under British auspices of the
Mosquito reservation. Colombia, however,
insists that Corn islands were only ceded to
King George on the condition that they were
to be returned whenever required, Nicaragua
as present owner of what was the Mosquito
reservation, now part of the republic of
Nicaragua, disputes the point, and especially |
as the time for raising 1t officially has long
since passed away, and holds that Corn is
lands were part of the Mosquito territory |
and as such are now portion of Nicaraguan |
territory.
NICARAGUA FEELS SECURE.
1t will thus be seen that the dispute is |
pretty one as 1t stands, and that much |
may depend upon which country's troops |
first land on the islands and place them in a |
state of defense. The Nicaraguan govern
ment has strong hopes that the blue and |
white flag of Nicaragua is now floating over |
Corn islands, otherwise this news would not |
have been allowed to leak out
Corn islands up to the present have been |
little more than the headquarters of very |
numerous bands of smugglers and il has |
hitherto beer found difficult, If not mpossl- |
BILE to keep garrison there The soldiers |
haty yiner moth hfVer do
guard now and again, while baskng in the |
warm sunshine in delightful climate, soon |
become too friendly with the smugglers and |
eventually desert in the smugglers' boats to !
the eastern coast of Nicaragua and there
after escape from military duty. Now how |
ever, steps are to be taken to prevent the |
dwindling away Of the Nicaraguan garrison.
The guns taken to Corn islands by the |
Nicaraguan troops are understood to have
formed part of the consignment recently |
purchased in Germany and are of modern
style
The islands are considered to be the health
lest spot about the coast of Central America
The ground is so high above the sea- and |
the sides of the larger island are rocky and
admirably adapted to being converted into
strong fortiicatons. The inhabitants are
mainly Indians and smugglers, also there
are few American and English merchants
doing business there. Both Big and Little
Corn islandS 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 found, Under the
circumstances, when the Nicaragua canal is
built, 1t would be good policy for the United
States to obtain possession of the Corn is
lands by purchase or otherwise, and have
a hne sentry box almost at the Atlantic
entrance of the proposed new waterway,
thus settling all disputes as to their owner
ship.
The garrison" on Corn islands lately has
consisted of governor" and three "police-
men,"
Discovers yellow Fever Germ.
LONDON, Jan. Ia dispatch from Rome
to the Standard says that a young Italian
doctor named Cacarell, who has himself re-
covered from the disease In Rio de Janeiro.
has discovered the yellow fever germ, and
hrs glNen the detalls OF bis dlsnnvaru lnanr |