New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-09
AMERICA INTERVIEWS.
WARNING TO NICARAGUA.
Further BOmbardments of Coast
TOYnS Forbidden.

Puerto Cortez. Honduras. April Cvia New
orleans. April S)-An authoritative statement
OF great Importance in the relations of the
United States to Central American republics
has been giveR out here It is to the effect that
bombardments Of coast towns cannot be per-
mittted during the frequent and revolu-'
tions in Central American states" The state
ment is by Commander Fullam of the United
states gunboat Marietta and is part of a letter
10 General Juan J. Estrada commanding the
Nicaraguan expedition engaged in capturing
Honduran ports In part the letter reads:
have to acknowledge the receipt of your let
ter OF March % in answer to my communication
or March "a requesting you to avoid the un-
necessary destruction of coast towns by Dom
bardment. 1t must be perfectly plain that for-
eign interests could not possibly he secure II
commandments permitted. on the contrary
such interests would be subjected to the danger
or complete destruction in every case. II POM
hardments of coast towns are to be resorted to
during the frequent and revolutions IN
Central American states the mercantile inter
ests Of all foreigners will be absolutely insecure
in the future. From this it is plainly evident
That assurances regarding the safety or AIIleIi amer;
can and foreign interests would be of no Naiue
whatever unless bombardments of these unlo. M E,
tined wooden towns are forbidden, ana II 10
equally plain that a ship of war ordered mere
to protect American interests could not ne eX-
cused for suhjecting these same interests to in
eVitable ruin by permitting the destruction OF
these towns by fire and bombardment
Fully three-fourths of the valuable mercantlIe
owned 10y foreigners. Neither bellIgerent viii
he permitted to occupy or to take cover in these
houses during the course of hostilities.
Trusting that I may not be compelled 10 IN
form the United States government that l am
mistaken regarding the attitude of NicaTaguan
forces toward foreign business interests on this
coast. and hoping that you win avoid all danger
Of complications by giving directions that prop
erty shall not be subjected to destruction by
fire and bomhardment, remain, etc.
Commander Fullam informed General Quiroz.
commanding the Honduran forces near Ceiba,
that it would he necessary to defend the town
from position outside the city.
United States marines closed all saloons in
Ceiba after the abandonment of the port by the
Hondurans The following proclamation was is
sued by Commander Fullam of tue Marietta and
Virgil c. Reynolds. United States vice-consul:
To the people of Ceiba: The generals of the
Honduran army having left Ceba. the civil au-
thorities will assume charge OF the city govern
ment. All liquor saloons will be Immediately
closed and will remain Sailors from the
United States ship Marietta will patrol the
streets and assist the civil authorities 70 pre-
serve order and protect property. foreign
private. The sailors landed friends OF
Honduras. All persons warned that there
S1ust be disorder violation of the laws Of
Honduras. and all advised 10 remain in
their homes for the present. In case Nicaraguan
forces concentrate at Ceiba they will not in
terfere with law-abiding people. and there need
be no alarm whatever.