New-York tribune., 1907-03-11
SANDOT1L IN HONDURAS.
Yeteran Mericon General Reported
Fighting against Nicaragua.

By far the most Interesting news from local
point OF rlew that has emauatcd from Nicaragua
or Honduras since those republics began war Was
the official announcement made yesterday that
General Francisco Ruiz Sandoval fighting
under the HCnduran standard This Will be indeed
news 70 the old generals many friends and ac-
quaintauces In New York. who have had no word
from him since his expulsion from Panama. where
ne was arrested last August soon after his arrival
from this city with seventeen other generals
charged with conspirlng against the young but
sophisticated republic
Since last August General sandoval has not been
seen in his former hauuts here. but his memory is
ever green. FOR he FOR ten years the most in
'eresting and best known or the Latin-Americanr
in New York. lie IS Mexican by birth and d
soldier OF fortune by profession: insurrectonlst
to-day, government defender tomorrow. Ills is
the Old Spanish motto OF the sword: Draw II
not without reason. sheath It not without honor
General Sandovars machete has. however never
been sheathed and bangles permanently at his side
II may or may not presaKs the outcome OF the
Nicaraguan- Honduran conflict. but the truth is
that OF all his battles lie has fought on the
winning side
The veteran soldier Of fortune has had career
that reads Ike romance he Is about sixty years
old now. but, despite his age and his battles against
government troops and adversely he IS stnl physi-
caiiy sound and active. General sandoval is not
large of stature-about i've feet five inches in
heisht-but he is fearless warrior.
Persons who passed the Produce Exchange In the
wear or two preceding last August must have OBJ
served man OF swarthy complexion with black
hair and mustache and piercing eyes wearing
large sonlbrero and either rolling or smoking
cigarette
That General sandoval. who made his head
quarters In that part OF town waiting like Mr
MicawbeT. for Something to turn up" I'nfortu.
nately General Sandoval does not possess literary
talent: IL he did. he could write an autobiography
including tho many adventures Of his life that
would read like II hne piece of fiction He has
OH fa IL.
profession and his thoughts ever OF "Guerrn
guerra. mas guerra" he was ready at all times 4,
lend his sword 10 any cause, whether in defencs
OF South American dynasty in furtherance OF
a movement for IT'S overthrow. His name is known
in this hemisphere wherever Spanish is spoken
from the Andes to the Antilles
General Sandoval. however. like many another
military genius. has made mistakes. one OF these
which nearly cost him his head and made him an
eAlc from his native country. an attempt 10
overthrow Presiden% Poririo Diaz Of Mexico
President Daz. in his twenty odd years OF rule in
Mexico mas been called on to suppress much more
serious uprisings than that organized by General
Sandova!. and this latter movement did not grow,
popular. In fact. it made the leader OF 1t rather
unpopular. Somewhere IN the government archives
in Mexico City IS a document signed by the Chief
Executive which offers 5000 reward the capture
Of SandoyaL
Another ill-starred venture in which the general
played the leading role. undertaken about i've
years ago III Venezuela. General Sandoyal had
enlisted in the cause OF the Colombian Liberals
who trying by force OF arms o overthrow
the President OF Colombia He was in command
of 4 division the istlmus. The insurrectionists
had two gunboats, and the command of General
Sandoval extended TO these.
One night he ordered the captains of the two
vessels TO proceed under full steam for the Ven
st9l ezueian coast HIS orders were obeyed without
been left behind he explained for tho first time
that ne WAS on his way to make war on President
castro or Venezuela and that tho Colomhianq
under him must aid in the movement The Lin
lighting. were friendly 10 President Castro and
were even receiving aid from him for the iUsur-
fection. hut that made difference TO Sandoya!
who did rot like Castro. His squadron arrived at
usual proclamation that is essential 10 all we'll
regulated revolutions the Venezuelan authorities
arrested SandOval before there was a shot fired
president Castro was also compelled To impound
Liberals. After brief stay In prison SandoVal
York. - -"
During the spanish-American War the Mexican
nghter tried TO join the Spanish army In Cuba but
military experts are OF the opinion that even had
he succeeded IN doing SO. the result OF the war
would have been the same
After his escapade in Panama last sliuner the
oHlclais allowed him 10 choose his place Of de-
pOrtation- Probably the theory that there
would be an internal uprising or a war between
two, three or perhaps four OF the Central American
republics. General SandoVal chose Guatemala His
wish was complied with From Guatemala the
general went 10 Honduras. There the war with
gave him the chance OF again getting into action
and of paying of old score existing between
himself ana President Zelaya of Nicaragua, About
seven years ago the latter expelled General San
strongly suspected.