Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-10
The AMERICAN CONSULATE HIT.

In the Bombardment of Ceiba the United
States Flag Was Ignored.
Letters from Honduras, says the New York
Ssn, report big battle in the interior, some
say at Botijas, others at Danli, between Gen.
Mula, commanding the revolutionary forces,
and Gen. villeta, commanding those Of the gov
eminent, in which Mula was defeated after q
fight OF eleven hours and retreated toward Mic
aragua. Belfate, which was occupied by the
revolutionists, has surrendered to Gen. Ordo-
nez Of the government army. The foreign resi-
dents Of Ceiba complain that no notice was
given Of the intended bombardment of Ceiba
by the Pizzatti, and that in consequence several
innocent persons, including one woman, were
killed.
The residence and Office Of the American
consul, b. Tocca were riddled with rifle bullets
two men being shot on the premises. The stars
and stripes were floating over the consulate be-
fore and during the bombardment. The resi-
dence of the agent of the Oteri, American line,
also had the American banner flying, but that,
as well as the residences Of the French and
Spanish representatives, we're badly wrecked by
the bombardment. The town was a good deal
damaged, and SO were the other towns on the
coast bombarded by the Pizzatti.
The Honduras affair, although settled,
promises to cause some serious international
complications. Threats are made by the for
eign and American owners, whose property
was destroyed by the bombardment of Ceiba
by the American steamer Pizzatti to bring
suit for damages against the owners of that
vessel the nationality of which will have to
be established. The Pizzatti carries the Amer
lean register and foated the American flag, but
during the bombardment of the coast towns
acted as a man-of-war of Honduras. and Capt
Henry Pizzatti. although an American citizen,
hal utn,, Al
Honduras.
Mr.. Santo Oteri, owner of the Pizzatti saws
that before the vessel entered into the service
OF the government at all Gen. Leiva had OBJ
tanned the consent Of the United States War
Department at Washington that the Pizzatti be
used as a war vessel for the legitimate govern
ment OF Honduras. He thinks that circum-
| stance ought to relieve him Of responsibility in
the matter of an indemnity.
President Leiva of Honduras gave the captain
OF the Pizzatti written guarantee that he
would accede to any demands for compensation
that the captain would make for his services,
leaving him to fix the price. The Pizzatti will
remain in the service Of the Honduras govern
ment q few weeks longer and until it is certain
that the revolution is ended.
A telegram from Guatemala announces an
other international complication. This tele-
gram was from Capt. Challouer of the steam
ship Joseph Oteri. belonging to Joseph Oteri
OF New Orleans, brother Of the owner of
the PizZatti, announcing that the right
to enter any Honduras port had been re-
fused to his vessel. The Oteri was used in the
capture Of Truxillo and carries an American
register. 1t was charged that the officers Of
the Oteri were friendly to the revolutionists
and connived at the seizure of that vessel and
its use against the government. The Oteri
left New Orleans a few days ago with a large
cargo Of freight. As the freight is perishable
this refusal will entail a heavy loss on the
owners of the vessel A protest was accord
ingly entered and an appeal made by tele-
graph to Gen. Foster, Secretary of State, for
protection. The owners of the Oteri claim
that the Honduras government cannot shut
their vessels out of that country because one of
them was seized by the revolutionists and used
against the government.