The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-02
SEIZURE OF CORN ISLAND.
relieved TO Have Been Checked by
Nicaragua.
SENT TROOPS TO HEAD OFF COLOMBIA
a Possible War Between the Central
American states Avcrtcd - Dis
pute Over the Islands.


trumpets warlike move upon the part
of the republic of Colombia is now believed
IN have been checked by the republic of
Nicaragua, although further news from the
objective point, Corn Island, Is anxiously
expected here.
About u month ago the government Of
Nicaragua was informed unofficially that
Colombia had planned TO make landing on
Corn Island, valuable strategic spot sit
mated about thirty six miles oil Mosquito
coast belonging TO Nicaragua, whose nag
was to be hauled down ana the ensign vi
Colombia substituted for 1t.
II was alleged that Nicaragua was over
toxinp Corn Island and that the inhab-
itants. numbering few hundred, had APP
pealed TO Colombia for redress on tGe
ground that territory some five miles long
which formerly belonged TO Colombia was
unlawfully held by Nicaragua. 1t was
/ further stated that the project of San An
drcz, Colombia, had assembled Il military
force and was only waiting for the arriy al
OF a Colombian gunboat In order to embark
| the troops, proceed to Corn Island, seize II
and fortiiy 1t against the possibility OF re-
capture.
That such n 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 dctachments of
Nicaraguan troops were assembled here and
at Granada, ana when all was ready they
We're sent in small parties across Lake
Nicaragua and down the San Juan river TO
Graytown 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 wori. OF
erecting a strong fort should he progress
Ing. The troops took all their best guns
available and supply OF am iunltion aud
other supplies store Douse are also to
be constructed at Corn Isl. A.
OF course if the Colon IN expedition
started earlier than expee 4 and reached
Corn island before the Nj raguan troops.
fighting may have occu. before this;
and If SO, the matter may lead to a general
upheaval in Central America. for Colombia
was warned, automatically and through
the press. early last month that her sez-
ure of Corn island might lead TO a warliie
combination 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 arbitra-
tion Of disinterosted republic. To these
threats and suggestions apparently no at
tenton was paid for it was announced that
the Colombian gunboat was being fitted up
for tho transportation of Colombian troops
to Corn island. II is hoped here that the
troops reached there IN ADVANCE
OF the Colombian detachment.
Some years ago, at the time work was
beginning on the maritime canal in Mica
ragua. 1t was reported that Great Britain
was contemplating laying hands on Corn
island. which, situated at more convenient
distance from the Atlantic entrance of the
canal, would have been quickly converted
into another 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 Pa
cific. Thereupon Nicaragua. acting on
suggestions possibly from the United States
took official possession of both Big and
Little Corn island, hosting the Nicaragua.
flas over them with much ceremony and
giving diplomatic notice OF the same.
The British claim to Corn island Is I'M
derstood TO be based on her former preten-
sions. since given up to a protectorate,
over the Mosquito territory and British
Colombia. which originally owned Corn
island, coded the islands TO King George,
then the governing cheftain under British
auspices OF the Mosquito reservation.
Colombia, however, insists that Corn 10
land was only ceded to king George on the
condition that it was 10 be returned when
ever required. Nicaragua, as present own
er of what was the Mosquito reservation
and now part of the republic of Nicaragua
disputes this as the time for restoring 1t
officially has long since passed, and holds
that Corn island was part of the Mosquito
territory and such is new portion Oh
Nicaraguan territory. IL VIII thus be seen
that the dispute is a pretty one as II stands
and that much depends on which country's
troops first land on Corn island and place
II in Il state OF defiance The NicaraeuSn
government has strong hopes that the blue
and white flag OF Nicaragua Is now float
ing 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 head
quarters OF numerous bands of smusglers
and 1t has hitherto been found difficult, If
not impossible, to keep garrison there
The soldiers having nothing to do but
laaily mount guard now and again while
basking In the warm sun shine in delight
ful climate soon become too friendly with
the smusglers and eventually desert in
the smugglers bows to the east coast oil
Nicaragua and there escape military duty
Now, however. steps are to be taken TO
prevent this dwindling away OF the Ncara-
guam garrison
The guns taken to Corn island by the
Nicaraguan troops are understood to have
formed part of the consignment recently
purchased in Germany and are OF modern
style.
Corn island is considered to be The
heaihiest spot about the coast of Central
America, Tie ground Ia 60 high above the
sea and the sides of the larger island are
roughly and admirably adapted to being
converted into strong Notifications. The IN
habitan,s are mainly Indians and snuS-
Elors, also there are a few American and
English merchants doing business there.
Both Big and Little Corn islands afford au-
ohorage to he large yossela close to shore
and a better spot for Il couliag station and
repair shop for the United States war YES
sells could hardly be found.
Under tho circumstances whom the MIC
aragucn canal ia built It would be good
policy for the United States to obtain pos
scs sion Of the Corn island by purchase or
otherwise and have a fine sentry box al
most at the Atlantic entrance Of the pro-
posed new waterway, thus settling all dis
putes ns TO thor ownership.
The garrison OF Corn island lately has
been governor ard three policemen.
Mexican Matters.
Mexico City, January l.-El Monitor Re-
puploano, daily paper) founded forty
seven years ago, suspended publication. 1t