The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-23
BON|LLA MARCHES
WITH HIS FORCES
To Meet Nicaraguan Army on
Honduras Frontier
WHOLE CENTRAL AMERICA
viii Be In State of War Except
Costa Rica-Most Formidable
Upheaval In Its
History.

City of Mexico. February 22.-War is
an actual condition In Central America,
said Under Secretary of State Algeria
to a representative of the Associated
Press He said:
I'VE have received a message from the
Mexican consul general at Tegucigalpa,
Honduras, which says: Minister of For
eign Affairs Cullen declares that active
war has been declared against Mica
ragua. President Bonilla is now at the
head of the Honduran troops and march
ing to the frontier to meet the forces of
President zelaya.'
In response to questions as to the at
titude of Salvador in the struggle, Sec
rotary Algeria was reticent, but when
sured that the Associated Press had re-
ceived information that this republic
would become involved as an ally of
Honduras, HE admitted that the depart
ment had received kilograms corroborat-
ing this.
A high state official who asked that
his name not be used at this time, said:
You may state that this upheavel will
perhaps be the most formidable that has
ever occurred in Central America. At
against Nicaragua, but from information
which we have obtained, we know that
Guatemala will be the ally of Nicaragua.
"Whether the aid of President Cab
rerras country will be open or secret we
do not yet know, but we do know that
the country will be drawn into the con-
troVersy.
This will mean that all Central Amer
ion hp in q IA to of N1
exception of the republic of Costa Rica.
AS to her attitude we are uncertain
DR.. Estuplnian, minister to Mexico from
Salvador and Honduras, said:
"As to the declaration of war between
Honduras and Nicaragua | am as yet I'M
advised"
When questioned as to the secret COM
pact between Salvador and Honduras,
binding the former to fight with the lat
ter in case of open hostlities being de-
clared by either country he said:
"Since you have such information from
another source, ] must confess that 1t
is not known to this ministry. AS to the
attitude OF Guatemala l know nothing. l
can only hope"
As to the general nature of the conflict
which Is threatening, a cablegram was
received by w. L. Vail of this capital.
The message came from President Esca-
lon, and said that the republics of threat
ened international trouble in Salvador
We're without foundation, but that in the
event of war between Honduras and Mica
ragua Salvador would be compelled to
become an active allay of Honduras.
Mr. Vail is one of the best informed men
in Mexico on Central American affairs,
and recently secured a concession from
Salvador for a new steamship line. 1t
has been officially stated that the pro-
posed intervention of the United States,
Mexico. Guatemala Salvador and Costa
Rica in the Honduran- Nicaraguan dispute
was initiated too late to secure the de-
sired results.
The telegram from the five presidents
were forwarded to the chief executive OF
the belligerent nations on the day fOl-
lowing the rupture between the two coun-
tries when the Hondurans were alleged to
nave been attacked by the Nicaraguan
forces, and the latter had assisted the
Honduran eXiles in constructing fort
upon Honduran territory. 1t was stated
that President Bonilla had already elected
to submit the matter to an arbitration
court and suspended hostilites pending
a decision when the overt act was com
mitted which precluded the possibility of
Immediate cessation of hostilities
In summing up the fighting strength or
the four republics likely to become in
volved, a well known capitalist of Central
America, now in this city, said:
"Guatemala can mobilize 3o0OO men,
and has a standing army of 5000 men;
Salvador can mobilize 1900 men, and her
standing army is $4,000; Honduras can
mobilize $4,000 with standing army of
$1,000 while Nicarauga, which has a
standing army of 10000 can mobilize 40
600 Ncarauga is the only country own
ing gunboats, her little navy consisting
of six boats.
"The Salvadoreans are by for the most
I tria In Of ha
the best fighters"