The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-05-13
A NICARGUAN VESSEL TAKES A
COUPLE OF SHOTS AT THE
ROVER.
GEN. REYES arrogant BEHAVIOR.
He Showed the Utmost Contempt for
Americans and the American
FIas-Boarded and Searched
The Rover.

| chicago, MAY IL ~ SpSNi"i w VIZ
Chronicle from New Orleans says:
The steamer Rover, plying between
this port and the ports of Spanish Hon
duras, was fired on by a Nicaraguan
man-of-war, May 6, while four miles
from Port Cortez and narrowly escaped
being hit amidship.
| The Rover, which came in tonight, also
brought the information that it was
rumored in Omoa and other government
points that the American consul at Port
Cortez Mr.. Alger, had been shot,
but no particulars were obtained. The
fact that his flags were not flying when
the Rover left the port is taken as an
indication that this is really so and that
possibly Port Cortez has passed into the
hands of the government, although it is
said that the revoutionists at that place
are principally Americans and English,
well armed and vastly superior to the
forces of the HOnduran government.
News was received III this city several
DAVIS ago that the tugboat Lucy b, con-t
verified into a gunboat by the Nicaraguan
authorities. had left Bluefelds under
command of Gen. Reyes, armed with two
unmounted cannon and manned by fifty
banana cutters whom Reyes had pressed
into service by taking them from the
plantations on the Pamara river.
Reyes left for Port Cortez with the
ovowed intention, it is said, of assisting
tbe government of Spanish Honduras in
the task of recapturing Port Cortez,,
operating in conjunction with the Hon
duran forces which were supposed to be
advancing upon the port from the direc-
tion of Omoa. 1t was the Lucy b that
fred upon the steamer Rover without
proyocation while the Rover had the
American flag flying at the masthead.
The story of the remarkable audaclty
of Reyes in defying the government OIL
America and trying to assert the suprem-
acy of the Nicaraguan government upon
the high seas, all opinion to the contrary
is as follows:
She left New Orleans April % for Port
Cortez. arriving at the latter port on the
morning of May 2. Capt. Reed observed
when a few miles from the anchorage
that the flags of the American consul
were not flying and that there seemed to
he something amiss in the town and de-
cided not to anchor his ship, but instead
remained off shore waiting to be boarded
by the customs Officials. =
After waiting for some time and no
one putting in an appearance, and MOTTO
ing that the town seemed to be in a state
of agitation, Capt. Reed concluded 1t was
not safe for him to remain in the port
and headed his ship for Omoa. When
the Rover was about four miles east of
Port Cortez the tugboat Lucy B was OBJ
served heading for the steamer: When
the two vessels were about half a mile
apart, to the establishment and dismay OF
the American captain and his crew, a pun
of smoke was seen to clear the sides OF
the Nicaraguan vessel and the next mo
ment there followed Il report and SOLID
shot struck the water few hundred
wards ahead of the Rover. The engines
of the Rover were stopped at once, and
then followed another shot from the
Lucy B. which dropped into the. sea
about fifty feet from the side of the
American ship, in direct line with her
midShlpS. . ~.
The Lucy B was by this time within
hailing distance, and an officer in uni
form ordered the Rover to come to
anchor. She was then boarded by this
officer and six of his followers The 9th
Ger turned out to be Gen. Reyes of the
Nicaraguan government, and he demand
ed to see the Rover's papers, which were
given him. He then searched the vessel
and, apparently finding everything to his
satisfaction, gave Capt Reed permit to
load fruit at coast ports.
Capt. Reed protested earnestly to Reyes
against the firing upon the Rover when
she carried the American flag at her
mast head and was told by the general
that he ought to consider himself lucky
that he (Reyes) did not sink the Rover,
and that Capt. Reed could protest as
much as he liked, it made no difference
to him, as the American consul, Mr.. Al
ger was the head of the revolution at
Port Cortez. The Rover then proceeded
on her way.