The Washington herald., 1907-01-09
REVOLTIS SPREADING
Nicaragua Accused of Aiding
Rebels in Honduras.
TWO COUNTRIES MAY FIGHT
Situation Declared to BE Serious by
Minister Merry TO the State Depart
Central American War-Marble-
head Treaty Declared Not binding.

Trouble Of a serious nature has devel-
0ped in Honduras. where the revolution
airy party is attempting 10 overthrow the
government, and the President Of the re-
public has sent troops 10 the Nicaraguan
frontier, which is the center OF the dis
turbance. Coupled with the actual revO-
lutionary movement is the claim on the
part Of Honduras that Nicaragua is aid
ing the revolutionary leaders in their
fight against the government.
These facts have been reported to the
State Department by W. L. Merry, the
American Minister to Nicaragua. Costa
Rica. and Salvador, and by James G.
Bailey, secretary Of legation to Costa
Rica. Mr.. Merry characterizes the situa-
ton as serious, and officials here fear
that there will be open warfare. But few
details of the affair have been transmitted
10 the State Department There have
been previous reports, however. Of revolu-
uonary troubles in Honduras.
The charge that Nicaragua is assisting
the revolutionary spirits in Honduras is
regarded as serious, and IL IS not unlike
~ that ii viii lead to another Central
American war. II was the same sort Of
thing that led TO the war last summer
between Salvador, Costa Rica. and Hon
duras
Not Involved Before.
Nicaragua was not mixed up in that
affair, which was brought to an end
through the good offices Of the Presidents
Of Mexico and the United States. A
treaty Of peace was signed by the belli-
gerents on board the cruiser MarbIehead.
and it was supposed that the peace of
Central America was fixed for a long
time 10 come.
The treaty Of the MarbIehead provided
Tor another treaty between all the Central
American states. but Nicaragua refused 10
participate. although that government
sent representatives. This second treaty.
one OF commerce. peace. and amity. was
dawn and signed IN San Jose. the capital
OF Costa Rica. The explanation Of the
Nicaraguan refusal to sign was that the
same ground was covered in the treaty
OF Corinto, between all Of the Central
American governments and that because
OF the existence Of this convention an
other was unnecessary The other gov
ernment participatory 10 the conference
in San Jose. however. went ahead and
signed the treaty
In this convention there IS a stipulation
that each country must take care that
resolutions are not brewed in territory in
It's jurisdiction. especially anywhere near
the border Of an adjacent country.
Nicaragua Net Bound.
Nicaragua. not being signatory to the
treaty Of San Jose, may not be bound un-
less there is a ike stipulation in the
treaty Of Corinto. to see that the Hon
duranian revoIutionists do not foregather
in Nicaraguan territory.
II, however. It Is true that the govern
ment Of Nicaragua has permitted the
anti-g0YeTnment forces Of Honduras u
work from Nicaragua, Honduras has
every reason for making trouble against
Nicaragua and will doubtless do all she
can 10 this end.
Whether there has been any actual
fighting is not known The State Depart
meuts adviees, as far as ascertained. in
dicate nothing further than that the gov
ernment forces C Honduras have beer
rushed toward the Nicaraguan frontier
Il viii probably take them some DAYS q
get there.
There has been nothing 70 indicate thai
American lives or property are in danger
and the government has no special inter
est in the matter except that the Presi-
dent desires peace 70 prevail Throughout
the Western Hemisphere. There have
| been no appeals from Honduras TO this
government for assistance and none /.
expected at this time.