The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-30
ARE OFF FOR NICARAGUA
United States GunbOatS Ordered to
the Scene of Trouble.
WILL PROTECT OUR CITIZENS
Tho Atlanta and tho Alert Arc to Look
After American Interests Only.
Gravity of the Situation Real.
lied ut Washington.

Washington, April 29.--After several
conferences today between Secretary
Gresham and Secretary Herbert the
secretary of the navy sent dispatches
to the commanders of the United States
gunboats, Alert and the Atlanta, direct
ing them to proceed without delay to
San Juan Del Sur and Greytown, Mica
ragua, respectively The Alert is at
Panama, and 1t will take her about
day and a half to reach San Juan Del
Sur, which is the cable station nearest
to Corinto, situated about 100 miles be-
low that port. The Atlanta is at Key
West and can make the distance of 75O
miles from that place to Greytown in
two and q. half days.
When Secretary Herbert was asked
the significance of these orders he an
swered promptly as follows:
"The newspapers say that a revolu-
tlon is probable in Nicaragua. They
state that the people are very much dis
satisfied with the course of the govern
ment and are likely to attempt to over
throw 1t. In order to protect the inter
ests of American citizens, their lives and
property. and following the policy al
ways pursued in such contingencies,
have ordered the Alert to San Juan Del
Sur and the Atlanta to Greytown. In
addition to these vessels, the Mont
goery, now at Mobile, will sail on May
Z for Greytown, conveying the Mica
raguan canal commission to that place.
The Monterey, which has sailed for
Panama, will remain at Panama for
the present With two United States
ships on one side of Nicaragua and one
ship on the other side, 1t is plain that
American interest will be we'll pro-
tected if the rumored revolution should
take place But wish it distinctly un-
derstood that these vessels are sent to
Nicaragua for the purpose of caring for
citizens of the United States and their
interests, and not on any business con-
nected with the situation at Corinto."
The Alert is one of the older vessels
of the navy, an iron cruiser of 1920 tons
displacement, and propelled by single
screw. Her main battery consists of
four guns, and she does not compare
formidably with either of the British
ships now at Corinto, although she
would probably not be overmatched
by the Wildswan, now at San Juan Del
Sur, the port of her destination.
Policy of the Government.
While the nolicv of this government
in the trouble at Corinto is well under.
stood. the first authoritative statement
on the subject was not made until TO-
day. A cabinet officer said this eve-
ming that the United States could not
interfere between Great Britain and
Nicaragua in their matter of difference.
because Nicaragua was a sovereign
state. recognized as such by Great
Britain and the United States, and
must hold herself responsible to Great
Britain for offenses committed against
British subjects.
THE United states government, he
said, does not undertake to extend
protectorate over Central America and
South America to such an extent that
a sovereign state OF one or the other of
these countries may Insult another SOW
ereign nation with the expectation that
this government VIII protect 1t from
forcible resentment by the nation In
suited. Such principle mas never been
recognized by the United states, and If
we attempt TO assert II, we would incur
the emnlty or every nation having deal
ings with Central and South America"
1t IS understood that the situation at
COrlntO mas Deen renewed OF much of