The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-04-09
MUST NOT lombard
Commander Fullam Would
Regulate Republics.
TELLS ESTRADA 10 HOLD HIS FIRE
United states VIII Not Permit Wood
en- Towns OF Central America 90
he Subjected 10 she'll Fire mt
Every Revolution.

HftfF h'f'sessohs
PUERTO CoRTEZ, Honduras, April
0.--An authoritative statement Of great
moment In the relations of the United
States 10 Central American republics
has been given out here to the effect
that bombardments OF coast towns
cannot DO permitted during the fire.
quent wars and revolutions In Central
American states"
The statement is by Commander Full.
lam OF the United States gunboat Ma
rietta and Is part OF letter TO General
Juan ]. Estrada. general commanding
the Nicaraguan expedition engaged In
capturing Honduran ports.
In part the letter reads:
IL have 10 request you TO avoid the
unnecessary destruction OF coast towns
by bombardment II must be perfectly
plain that foreign interests could not
possibly be secure II bombardments
are permitted. On the contrary, such
interests would be subjected to the
danger OF complete destruction In ey-
cry case.
"If commandments OF coast towns
are 10 be resorted TO during the fire.
quent wars aud revolutions In Central
American states the mercantile Inter
ests OF all foreigners Will he absolutely
Insecure In the future.
"From this II Is plainly evident that
assurances regarding the safety OF
American and foreign Interests would
be OF no value whatever unless bonn
bardments OF these unfortlhed wooden
towns are forbidden. and Il Is equally
plain that an American ship Of war or
dered here 10 protect our interests
could not be excused for subjectlng
these same interests 10 Inevitable ruin
by permitting the destruction OF these
towns by fire and bombardment.
Trusting that may not be- com
PEELED 20 inform the United States gov
eminent that am mistaken regarding
tho attitude Of Nlcaraguan forces 70.
ward foreign business interests on this
coast aud hoping that you will avoid
all danger OF complications by giving
directions that property shall not hc
subjected To destruction 10y Ore and
bombardment. I remain. etc"
Commander Fullam notified General
Qulroz. commanding the Hondurnn
forces near Celia. that Il would D. nee
cssary 20 defend the town from posi-
ton outside the city.
Puerto Cortez aud Ceiba were sur.
rendetcd without fghting and about
Loo IIonduran soldiers abandoned the
port two days before the Nicanguan
troops appeared.
The iIondurans dld not desert their
post through cowariIcc. according 10
reports. hut decided tina; the war was
over. They pturned 10 the banana
plantations. where most Of them had
been employed as laborers before the
war began.
United States marines closed all "a
looms In CeIba after the abandonment
OF the port by the Honduras.
The following proclamation was u
sued by Commander fullam;
TO the people Of Cciba. The gencr-
ais Of the IIonduran army having lcft
Celia. the civil authorities win as
sumo charge Of the city government.
All liquor saloons will he Immediately
closed aud win remain 20. Sailors
from the United States ship Marietta
will patrol the streets and assist the
civil authorities 10 preserve order and
protect property. foreign or private
The sailors are landed n friends OF
Honduras"