Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1895 — TROOPS ARE LANDED. [ARTICLE]

TROOPS ARE LANDED.

BRITISH SOLDIERS IN POSSESSION OF CORINTO. ■ ■ f . Serious Complications Are Likely to Grow Out of the Affair-Corinto Is Declared a Closed Port—City Practically Deserted. Nicaragua’s Sharp Move. The occupation of Corinto by English forces was peaceably accomplished and, according to late Nicaragua advices, the British flag is floating over the public buildings in the town. Twelve boat loads of marines and blue jackets, numbering between 350 and 400 men. left the ships. They met no resistance whatever on landing, and took peaceful possession of the town, making their headquarters at the barracks. Proclamations announcing the occupation were posted at the corners of the streets. The town is deserted, three-fourths of the population having withdrawn to the interior. The local officials locked all the public buildings, and took the keys with them. All was quiet, the marines ami blue jackets returned to their ships, leaving behind a guard of about fifty men. Later on some excitement was visible. In concluding his communication to the commander of the port, Rear Admiral Stephenson wrote as follows: “In the event of its being your intention to offer resistance to my occupying the town.. I give you this timely notice to remove albAomen and children to a place of safety, uTll away from the town, as I intend my ships to open fire on the principal buildings.” Nicaragua’s reply to the ultimatum of Great Britain is ill substance as follows: “The Government of Nicaragua regrets Its inability to comply with your wishes. There cannot be a doubt that justice bids it refuse to comply with the ultimatum, and it considers the proposed method of carrying the ultimatum into effect as contrary to sound principles and the rights of persons. In virtue of this the Government solemnly protests against the military occupation of the port of Corinto, against all acts of jurisdiction which you or any of your subordinates may exercise IlflNicaraguan territory, and against any 'violent melius that may be used to force Nicaragua to comply with the ultimatum as being contrary to the sovereignty of the republic and highly offensive to its dignity and independence. The Government persists in proposing arbitration or any other means recognized by the laws of nations for the settlement of the questions in dispute.” The reply means that the Government of Nicaragua declines to accept any responsibility for consequences which may follow the occupation of Corinto. The President has ordered that no Pacific mail steamers shall call at Corinto. The Nicaraguan Government is sending out a circular note to the European and other nations justifying its conduct during the present incident. Uses Uncle Sam to Secure Delay. It is said that the Central American Republics. Guatemala, San Salvador and Costa Rica, strongly urged Nicaragua to pay the $75,000 indemnity to Great Britain. President Yglesias even went so far as to offer to contribute one-fifth of the amount, but popular sentiment in Nicaragua was so set against England that the administration decided not to yield, and the only response received by President Yglesias to his offer was a copy of Nicaragua’s answer to Admiral Stephenson’s ultimatum.

The United States attempted to adjust the pending dispute between Great Britain and Nicaragua. Ambassador Bayard, acting under instructions from Washington, represented to the British foreign office that Nicaragua, if given two weeks’ additional time from the expiration of the three days fixed in the ultimatum, would meet Great Britain’s demand for the payment of £15,000 indemnity for the expulsion of Proconsul Hatch. Lord Kimberly acceded to this, and, as it was presumed that the State Department at Washington was acting for Nicaragua, it was thought that the incident would be closed without any further complications. But, as Nicaragua refused at the last moment to acquiesce in this arrangement, the original plan of occupying Corinto was carried out. It is now’ believed here that Nicaragua secured the intermediation of the United States for the sole purpose of delay.