New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-23
HONDURAS BEGINS WAR.
4 FORMAL DECLARATION.
Nic0raguans Erpect Troops Soon to
Occupy TegHcigaIpa.


Mexico City, Mex, Feb. 22-word reached
this city tonight that Honduras had formally
declared war against Nicaragua. President
Bonilla is at the head of the Honduran troops
and IS marching on the frontier of Nicaragua.
News of battle between the two forces IS
momentarily expected. It is reported that SAT-
vador will be involved.
a hish state official. who asked that his name
be not used at this time. said:
This upheaval will perhaps be the most for
midable which has ever occurred i'm. Central
America. At first ii will he Honduras and Sal
vadOr against Nicaragua, but from Information
which we have obtained We know that GuaJe-
mala Will he the ally Of Nicaragua Whether
the aid Of President Cabrera's country will be
open or secret we DO not Yet know, but We do
know that the country Will he drawn into the
controversy.
This will mean that all Central America will
be i'm a state of war. with the exception of the
republic of Costa Rica. As to her attitude
uncertain.
1t has been officially stated that the proposed
intervention of the United states Mexico. Guate-
maIa, Salvador and Costa Rica in the Honduran
and Nicaraguan dispute was begun too late to
bring the desired results
It was stated that President BoniIla had de-
cided TO submit the matter 10 arbitration
court and suspend hosilities pending a decision.
when the overt act was committed which pre-
cluded the possibility Of immediate cessation OF
hostnties.
In summing up the fighting strength of the
four republics likely 10 become involved, a capt.
talist os Central America said:
Guatemala can mobilize 35.OOO men, and has a
standing army of 5000 men; Salvador can mobi-
lie 10000, and has q standing army of 5000;
Honduras can mobilize $1,000. with standing
army of 5000. while Nicaragua. which has q
Nicaragua is the only country owning gun
boats, her navy consisting of six boats.
The SalvadOrians are by far the most patriotic
Of the four peoples, and make the best fighters.
Their troops are drilled by Chilian officers. and
the discipline is excellent. The GuaJemalans
on the other hand. are the poorest fighters. prob
ably from the fact that there is discomfort
among them.
Paris, Feb. 22.-The Ntcaraguan Legation gave
out the following dispatch to-day:
Mauagua. Nicaragua. Feb. 21.-Honduras hav-
ing violated the Treaty of Corinto and renewed
her provoCatious, hOstilities were resumed Mon
day The NiCaraguan troops triumphed and
are now marching upon TegUcigalpa-
TegucigaIpa is the capital Of Honduras and
is about fifty miles from the Nicaraguan from
tier. It has population of about fifteen thou
sand.
Managua. Nicaragua. Feb. 22-The Nicara-
guam forces. on February 2o, captured without
opposition the town Of FL Trfunfo, in Honduras,
and yesterday. after six hours hard fighting. the
Nicarsguau army occupied san Bernardo, sH
excellent position. owing TO the fact that it is in
communication by land and water with the
Nicaraguau base of operations. Many Hon
durans were killed or wounded and the retreat
ing army left quantities OF ammunition and
many rifles ON the field. The casualties on the
Nfcaraguau side We're few men wounded.
General Miguel r. Davila has arrived at Danli
Honduras. near the Nicaraguan frontier. from
the interior OF Honduras. provisional gov
ernment has been established across the from
tier in Honduras by Maxine Rosales. Miguel
OqueIi and IgUacio Castro. prominent HOnduran
revOIutionists. who are serving with the Near
aguan forces. The secretaries OF this provisional
government are Constantine FilIos and Colonel
CfuadaIoupe Reyes. The general in chief of the
Honduran revolutionary expedition is Dionisio
Gutierrez. General Davila is second IN COM
manG.
1t Is asserted here that there is truth in
the reports that the Nicaraguan army has met
reverses