The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-02
Colombia Anxious for Possession. but
Nicara qua Determined to Main
tain Her Rights.
RACE BETWEEN ARMED FORCES
THAT MAY HAVE RESULTED ERE
THIS IN A HOSTILE COLLISION.
Islands So Situated that Whoever
owns Them Could Command the
Maritime Canal Entrance.

Copyrighted. 1897. by the Associated Press)
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, Jan. with lit
tie beating of drums o. blowing of trumpets
a warlike move on the part of the republic
of Colombia is now believed to have been
checkmated by the republic of Nicaragua,
although further news from the objective
point, Corn island, is anxiously expected
here.
About a month ego the government of
Nicaragua was informed unofficially, that
Colombia had planned to make landing
on Corn island, a valuable strategic spot.
situated about thirty-six miles off the coast
belonging to Nicaragua, where it's flag is
to be hauled down and the ensign of CO.
lombia substituted for it. 1t was alleged
that Nicaragua was overtaxing Corn island
and that the inhabitants, numbering a few
hundred, had appealed to Colombia for re-
dress on the ground that that territory,
some five miles long, which formerly De
longed to Colombia was unlawfully held by
Nicaragua. 1t was further stated that The
prefect of San Andrea, Colombia, had as
sembled a military force and was only
waiting for the arrival of Colombian gun
boat in order TO embark the troops, pro-
ceed to Corn island, seize it and fortify
ii against the possibility of recapture. That
such a plan was discussed there is no rea-
son to doubt, but President Zelaya, of
Nicaragua, took prompt steps to meet this
move on the part of the neighboring repub-
lie. Very quietly detachments of Nicara-
guam troops were assembled here and at
Granada, and when all was ready they
were sent in small parties across 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 the big and little Corn island
for there are two Of them, and the work of
erecting a strong fort should be progress
ing. The troops took all their best guns
available and supply of ammunition and
other, supplies. Storehouses 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 gem
| eral upheaval In Central America for CO.
| lomba warned, automatically and
! through the press early last month, that
| her seizure of Corn island might lead TO "A
] warlike combination of the republic of Sal
vador and Honduras in support of Nicara-
| qua against her. Colombia was also adj
|
over Corn island to submit them to the ar
| bitration of a disinterestea republic. To
these threats and suggestions, apparently,
! no attention was paid. for IT was announced
! that the Colombian gunboat was being
fitted up. for the transportation of Colom-
bian troops to Corn island. 1t is hoped
/ here that the Nicaragua force reached
| there in advance of the Colombian detach-
| ment.
| w THEIR STRATEGIC VALUE.
Some years ago at tie time the work
was beginning on the maratime canal at
| Nicaragua it was reported that Great
| Britain was contemplating laying hands on
! Corn island which, situated at a conven-
| lent distance from the Atlantic entrance
| of the canal, would have been quickly con-
verted into another of the chain of British
| forts off the American coast. and would
| have enabled her to practically command
| the Eastern entrance of the water way,
| which is in time To join the Atlantic to the
| Pacific. THereupon Nicaragua. acting on
suggestions. possibly from the United
| States, took official possession of both big
| and little Corn island hoisting the Nicara-
| guam flag over them with much ceremony
and giving diplomatic notice of the same.
The British claim to Corn island is un-
! derstoo6 20 be based oil her former preten-
sions. -'rce given up, to a protectorate
over " Mosquito territory and British
| Colombia, which originally owned Corn ISL
and, ceded the islands TO King George
then the governing chieftian, under Brit
ish auspices of the Mosquito reservation.
Colombia, however, insists that Corn island
was only ceded to King George on the con-
dition that it was to be returned whenever
1
| what was the Mosquito reservation and
now part of the republic of Nicaragua, dis
| putes this point, especially as the time for
returning it officially has long since passed
and holds that Corn island was part OF
the Mosquito territory, and as such is now
| "a portion OF Nicaraguan territory. 1t will
thus be seen that the dispute is pretty
one as it stands. and that much may de
pend on which country's troops first land
on Corn island and place ii in a state OF
defense.
The Nicaraguan government has strong
hopes that the blue and white flag of Mic
| aragua is now floating over Corn island
otherwise this news would not have been
| allowed TO leak out.
Corn island, up to the present has been
little more than the headquarters of a very
| numerous band OF smuggers. and il has
| hitherto been found difficult, if not impos-
sible. TO keep p garrison there. The sol
diers. having nothing TO do but mount
guard now and again while basking in the
warm sunshine in a delightful climate soon
become too friendly with the smugglers
and eventually desert in the smugglers
boats to the East coast of Nicaragua and
thereafter escape from military duty. Now
however, steps are TO be taken 10 prevent
this dwindlng away of the Nicaraguar
garrison The guns taken TO Corn isanC
by the Nicaraguan troops are understood
TO have formed part of the consignment re
Gently 'urchased in Germany, and are o
modern vie.
Corn "a nd is considered to he the health
lest spot a out the coast of Central Amer
lea. The gr9und is so high above the sea
and points On the larger island are rock,
and admirably adapted To being eonverte,
into strong fo~tiications. The inhabitant
are mainly Indians and smugglers. ais,
there are a few &merican and English mer
chants doing business there. Both big an,
! little Corn island AFFORD good anchorage I,
the largest vessels close to the shore and
In short, better spot for coalng station
| and repair shops for United States wa
vessels is hard to find. Under these circum