The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1907-02-28
WAR DECLARED
BY HONDURAS
LINES UP AGAINST NICARAGUA
AGGRESSION.
GUATEMALA MAY TAKE HAND
And Bloodiest Conflict in History Of
Central America Predicted, AS En-
tire Country Will Be In War.

| Mexico City.-''War is an actual
condition in Central America SAID
under Secretary of State Algara to a
representative of the Associated
| Press.
| "We have received message from
the Mexican consul general at Tegui-
cigalpa, Honduras, which says:
I " Minister of Foreign Affairs Cul-
lom declares that active war has been
declared against Nicaragua,-President
Bonilla is now at the head of the Hon
durean troops and marching to the
frontier to meet the forces Of Presi-
dent Zefaya.' "
In response to questions as to the
attitude of Salvador in the struggle,
Secretary Algara was retieent, but
when assured that the Associated
| Press received assurances that this re-
| public would be forced to become in
volved as an ally Of Honduras, ne
admitted the department had received
kilograms corroborating this.
A high official, who asked that his
name not be used A. this time, said:
"You may state that this upheaval
will, perhaps be the most formidable
that has ever occurred in Central
America. At first it will be Honduras
and Salvador against Nicaragua, but,
from information which we have OBJ
tanned, we know that Guatemala will
be the ally of Nicaragua. Whether
the aid will be open or secret we do
not know, but we Go know that coun-
try will be drawn into the controver-
sy. This means that all Central Amer
lea will be in state of war. with the
exception of the republic of Costa
Rica. As to her attitude we are IN
certain"
Dir. Baltu Baltzai. minister to Mex
leo from Salvador and Honduras,
said:
AS to the declaration Of war be-
tween Honduras ana Nicaragua | am
as yet unadvised."
When questioned as to the secret
compact between Salvador and Hon
duras binding the former to fight with
the latter in case of open hostihtles
being declared by either country, he
said:
"Since you have such information
from another source, | must confess
that is not known to this ministry. As
to the attitude of Guatemala, | know
nothing | can only hope.
AS to the general nature of the con-
fict which is threatening, a cablegram
was received by w. L. Vail. of this
city, which is confrmatory. The mes
sage came from President Escalon and
said the reports of threatened intern
al trouble in Salvador were without
foundation, but, in the event of war
between Honduras and Nicaragua,
Salvador would be compelled to be-
come an active ally of Honduras
Mr.. Vail is one IF the best informed
men in Mexico on Central American
affairs, and recently secured con-
cession from Salvador for a new
steamship line 1t has been officially
stated that the proposed intervention
of the United States, Mexico, Guate-
mala, Salvador and Costa Rica, in the
Hondurean-Nicaragua dispute, was in
itiated too late to secure the desired
results.
The telegrams from the five presi-
dents were forwarded to the chief ex
. ecutive of the belligerent nations on
the day following the rupture between
the two governments, when the Hon
dureans were alleged to have been at
. tackled by the Niearaguan forces, and
the latter had assisted the Hondureah
exiles in constructing a fort upon
Honduraan territory. 1t was stated
President Bonilla had already decid-
ed to submit the matter to arbitrator
and suspend hostilities pending ds-
cision, which precluded the possible
ty of the immediate cessation Of hos
Titles.
In summing up the fighting quail
ties of the four republics likely 10
become embroiled IL an international
war in the near future, well known
capitalist of Central America, now in
this city said:
Guatemala can mobilize $4,000 men
and has a standing army of 5000;
Salvador can mobilize 10000 men and
her standing army is 5000; Hondura;
can mobilize $4,000, with a standing
army of 5000, while Nicaragua, which
J,e,oato ~, Prov, Monaoua ct atnS |