The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-23
DAILY. 30 A YEAR
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WEEKLY 2-TIAIES-A-WEEK 81 A YEAtl
HONDURAS MAY TAKE A HAND.
THE NICARAGUAN INSURGENTS
VERY FORMID ABLE.

The Government Troops Appear to
Be Afraid 10 DO Anything nut Act
ON the Defensive--The Commander
of the Honduras Troops Now in
Nicaragua Very Friendly TO tho
Commander of the Insurgents.
New York March 22-The revolution
In Nicaragua. according to intelligence
received through private channels to-day,
IS more serious than the dispatches from
that country would Indicate The strict
press censorship established by President
Zelaya renders it impossible for news OF
any character. except what IS favorable
to the government. from being made pub
lie. Two facts, however. in the opinion
of those thoroughly familiar with exist
ing conditions, seem to be well ostab-
lished. First, that Zelaya Is not sup
pressing the rebellion, and. secondly that
the Hondurian troops which arrived in
Nicaragua on Friday last as the supposed
allies Of Ielaya, are quite as likely 10 aid
the rebels as to act in concert with the
government troops
The first of these facts is based upon tho
almost certain knowledge that the revolu-
tionists have not lost ground; that they
are confident Of success since. I'm every
engagement they have been the aggres-
sors' that they have the moral and me-
terial support Of the great majority OF
me nneral party, which placed President
lelaya IN power, and that the government
IVtcts nave maintained from the Begin
ming purely defensive attitude
Ihe liondurian troops are now IN Mica
It8ua al "a point midway between Leon
ana Curinto. i'm the territory occupied bv
lle rebels. Iheir present attitude Is one
i 9tilel neutrality, but IL IS regarded as
not improbable that their aid, may. in
lhe END, be given TO Sen Baca the pro-
Nlslonal president of the insurgent govern-
Color is given to this belief by the inti-
mate relations that have long existed be-
tween Gen. Ortciz, the commander Of the
insurgents, ana President Bonia of Hon-
duras, who In point of fact owes his press
emf elevation TO the services rendered in
MS behalf, several years ago, by Orteiz
iI honduras espouscs Baca's cause the
latter Will. IL is believed, become victorious
SINCE ms troops are armed with modern
guns and animated by sentiments Of loft
iest patriotism, inasmuch as they are fight
ing Tor constitutional liberty and to pre-
vent the alleged dictatorship OF President
Lelaya. Without Honduras aid the result
at least
Another element Of uncertainty is the in
huence which the Salvadorean peace COM
mission may exert upon the contending
factions. That their efforts will result in
FAILURE Is believed to be probable. Gen.
i5aea and those associated with him, ara
determined upon the overthrow OF Presi-
dent Zelaya, while President Zelaya, on
the other hand, Is equally determined upon
lhe suppression of the rebellion, neither
slde being willing to concede any advan-
tage to the other
In these circumstances review Of the
events which lead up TO the present situ-
alton are OF interest Several years ago
President Zelaya headed a movement
which had for its purpose the overthrow
ot PRESIDENT Iavala, who was elected
through conservative Influences THE
movement succeeded, and for few
vislonal president until "A new constitu-
ton had been formed, making the presi-
dent ineligible to reelection, when he was
ensuing four years.
In January last It became evident to
leading members Of the liberal party thar
president Ielaya purposed setting him
self up as dictator. During the latter
part OF February the vice president OF
lhe republic, Gen Baca, who was also
munster OF hnance, resigned his office,
and, crossing the lake to Leon. erected
dhe STANDARD Of revolt against President
Leiaya., HIS example was followed = few
days later by Senior Madriz the minister
or foreign affairs, and Gen. Alonzo, the
munster or war. A large number Of the
members ot the assembly, who were lib
erai IN politics, also Identified themselves
Wltn the new movement and have es-
9Sapinshed government at Leon, which,
~ is Gained Is the only legal govern
ment now IN force In the republic. Tne,
military head of the revolution Is Gen.
Orteiz, who was prominently identified
with the overthrow OF President ZavaIa
IN 1892. which resulted in President Ze-
laya's succession
EN-Presdent Zavala, who is still couspic-
uous as one Of the conservative leaders
mas now Joined forces with his former enc
my, Zelaya, in the latter's endeavor 10
quell me rebellion. and the reason there-
lore, furnishes fresh proof of the tr4lig11
tnat politics make strange bed fellows.
me rebels as previously stated have
peen deteated IN several engagements. but
this, II is asserted, Is because Of their
rash attempts to capture strongly fortified
towns; That they have done this Is re-
garded as an indication Of their condolences
in themselves. while the failure of me
government troops to follow up their adj
vantage is considered a proof Of their in
aeilly 10 act other than on the defensive.
Shrewd observers Of political events in
Central America believe that before the
present troubles end, all five of the repub-
lcS H1ly become embroiled unless peace
able solution is reached within a few
weeks.
Ia n.