Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-24
TRUX|LLO FALLS
IN REPUBLICS WAR
Nicaraguan Army Victorious in
Seriesof Sharp Engagements
With the Enemy.
SITUATION MORE SERIOUS
Frisky Mule and Fi~e Pigskin Saddles
Among Cherished Spoils of Battle.
TUGS SERVE AS WARsHIPs
Promiscuous Night Firing by Both
Armies-They Like the Noise
News From the Front.
SITUATION MORE SERIOUS
Frisky Mule and Fi"e Pigskin Saddles
Among Cherished Spoils of Battle.
TUGS SERVE AS wARsHIPs

CE1BA, Honduras, March 1s.-The city
Of Truxillo has fallen into the hands OF
the Nfcaraguans, and will probably remain
in their possession for some time. The
Nicaraguans took the town by
prise, for there practically no
parrison there and no resistance. Since
taking possession of the town the
Nicaraguans have occupied the fortiica-
tons, and are well intrenched. Their
war fleet. consisting Of the Owatipe. the
San Jacinto, two gasoline schooners and
several smaller vessels, in desperate
straits. as they have no coal and gasoline.
and IL the Hondurans should come along
now with their vessels they could capture
the whole armada.
The Nicaraguans are now planning de-
scent on Puerto Cortez, IL they can get
supplies Of coal and gasoline.
The Nicaraguan expedition under COM
mand Of Gen. Juan ]. Estrada, about 700
strong, sailed from Bluefields on February
"a, going to Great Corn Island, where
the men were drilled. They then put in at
Prinzipulco, Nicaragua, for a few days.
and then sailed northward for Cape Ora
cias They crept slowly toward Ceiba,
and there they were reinforced by large
detachment of Honduran insurgents, who
had been laying low.
Miss Makes a Hit.
Tuesday, March II, the Armada appeared
before the city of Truxillo, which has a
population of 5000 and Is situated at the
base of a range of lofty mountains. which
run almost to the beach Of the bay OF Trux-
lilo. There were seventy-iive unsuspeeting
Honduran troops in the city. The Mica
raguans landed a force about mile to the
westward of the city and marched on the
city with bands playing and flags flying
The Hondurans saw them coming and
scampered up the mountain side, where
they had field piece mounted, and they
fired one shot at the warship Owatipe and
missed her by about twenty-five yards
This gave the Nicaraguans such fright
that they paused to consider the situa-
tfon. The Owatipe put 10 sea to get out
OF range. Finally the army continued It's
march to the city and took 1t without re-
sistance, few stray shots being fired, but
did no damage. .--.----.
The Nicaraguans then occupied the en-
trenchments and strengthened them and
threw Up earthworks all around the city.
Then they cut the telegraph wires4to Ceiba
and Puerto CorteZ and waited further de-
velopments. -.r..
Feints, But Not Fights.
In the meantime news OF the surprise
reached here, and Puerto Cortez and a force
| of $50 Honduraneans started from here,
which is forty miles from Truxillo, to re-
take the city. They have made several
feints at the entrenched forces, and there
have been number Of small skirmishes in
which number have been killed and
wounded.
On the 18th there was quite skirmish,
in which two Nicaraguans and four Hondu-
raneans were killed and 10 wounded.
The Nicaraguan gunboat San JacInto,
which is a converted sea tug, is armed
with one six-pounder rapid fire gun mount
ed on her forecastle and 1t seemed to be
well served. 1t has done effective work in
Smelling the beach to the west Of the city.
and this is the only practical entrance
for the Honduranean troops. which will go
to the rescue of the town, they will have
hard time getting by as long the tug
Is on guard. The Owatipe has an old
fashioned mortar on her forecastle.
The Honduraneans are gathering a force
of 700 men to advance from here to TruX-
lilo, but 1t Is doubtful If they will be able
to retake the city.
The NlcaraSuanS are expecting coal,
gasoline and reinforcements from Cape
Gracias, within week, when they will
make a descent on Puerto Cortez. The
Nicaragua seems to have the best of
the argument on the Caribbean coast Of
Honduras.
United States Folks ALI Right.
The United States ship Marietta Com
mander w. F. Fulham. arrived at Truxillo
| at am, March 1S. A consulate guard of
ten men. with a machine gun, were landed
under command of Ensign Frank Rorse-
back. No Americans or American interests
have been interfered with. and the VIC
torious Nicaraguans have treated the for
eigners well.
The Nicaraguans attempted to burn the
native village west of Truxillo March
10. A few huts were destroyed. and 1t Is
reported three or four old women were
burned to death.
A Fine Message.
The following cable from President Ze-
laya have been published and distributed
among the troops:
.'Ten thousand brave Nicaraguans en-
counted 1000 cowardIy Hondurans at San
Marcos yesterday. After thirty hours fight
ing the cowardIy Hondurans fed. Our fire
must have done great execution. No dead
or wounded were found on the field, but
we discovered rivulets Of blood. A fine
mule was captured with beautiful pig
SKIN SADDLE engraved Win tHe coat VI
arms Of Honduras. From the appearance
of the saddle we are satisfied II belonged
to an officer of high rank-probably a
general"
Costa Rfca is quiet and there is no
chance Of that country becoming involved
in the fracas.
Corea Receives Advices. ,ss
Mr.. Corea, the Nicaraguan minister.
ceived dispatch yesterday from Mr.
Ganez, the Nicaraguan minister for foreign
affairs confirming the press dispatches OF
a great victory of the Nicaraguan army
near Maraita. In addition to this victory he
says the Nicaraguan army probably will
take Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital.
tomorrow. He also says that the following
additional towns on the north coast of
Honduras have fallen into the hands OF
the Nicarasuans: San Pedro. Esperanza.
Paz and Comayagua. the ancient capital
of Honduras.