The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-22
will Protect Innocent By
ISLANDERS I'm Central America.
PAIR OF PEACEMAKERS
Movement to Unite With Mexico
in Ending the War.
Our Standing With European
Countries Is at Stake.

Washington, March 22.-Bluejack- !
cts and marines have been landed
from the United States gunboat Ma
rietta at Trujillo and Ceiba and prob
ably at Puerto Cortez, Honduras. in
order to protect American interests
in those ports.
AS yet no word has been received
as to whether forces have been land
ed at Central American ports on the
Pacific coast side. but undoubtedly
this step Will be taken If American in-i
terests are considered in danger.
The landing of bluejackets and MAJ
rines and the policing of both shores
Of the Central American republics
with United States gunboats before
trading vessels had been moIested in
any manner or foreign interests jeop-
ardized, is regarded here as a diplo-
matte move that will prevent any in
ternational complications growing out
of the policy of the United States not
to permit European demonstrations in
Central American or South American
waters.
The Nicaraguan commander I'M
charge of the invading force at the
Honduran port, Trujillo, gave Com
mander Fullam his promise that
American interests and all foreign in
terests there would be protected, and
that trading vessels would be per-
mitted to enter and leave the port
without molestation.
American republics are completely
covered by American gunboats. In
addition to the Marietta on the Hon
duran Caribbean coast which is the
point regarded most in danger, the
Paducah is further south on the Nj
caraguan coast. On the Pacific coast
side are the Princeton. patrolling the
Nicaraguan coast. and the Chicago.
patrolling the Salvadorean and Hon
durean coasts.
Joint intervention by Mexico and the
United States in the war which threat
ems to involve Central America is now
regarded as probable by diplomatists-
Secretary Root and Mr.. Creel, the
Mexican ambassador, have been in con-
ference frequently since the outbreak
of war in Central America and Latin
American diplomatists would not be
surprised by the announcement that
Mexico and the United States have Dc
cided the war must cease.
1t has been opinted out to the state
Mexico with the United States in re-
storing peace in Central America would
disarm criticism of the United States
and show that it has no thought of ac-
quiring any territory of Iatin-Amerl-
Mexico's friendship for the five re-
publics is so well known that the as
sociation with the United States IN
Strengthening out the tangle would be
a guarantee of good faith.
The state department is in dread OF
the claims which inevitably arise out
of a war such as is now being carried
on and the protests of European ma
tions against the destruction of the pro-
perty of their citizens in countries
where Europe cannot interfere are haV-
ing their effect on the administration
Diplonatists have pointed out to tho,
Washington government that its posi-
tion at the approaching peace confer
ence at The Hague will be peculiar II
If permits war to progress which it
might stop and which the Monroe doc
trine prevents European powers from
Already the United States has four
patrolling the coast OF the
believed in diplomatic circles that
joint demand on the part OF Mexico
and this nation that fighting must
cease would result in immediate peace
and the settlement of mooted questions
through a tribunal erected by the joint
action of Mexico and the United States
and so constituted that justice to all or
the belligerent powers would be M
sured.
secretary Root conferred with tho
president yesterday for more than an
hour and 1t was believed the confer
ence related to the Central American
situation.
Fought Three Days.
Washington, March 22.-The state de-
partment received the following dis
patch today from the American consul
at Managua, Nicaragua:
This government reports that on
March is, an army of 5000 SalvadoreanS
and 1000 Hondureans commanded by
Gen. Presa, a Salvadorean. attacked the
vanguard near Namasioue,
Honduras The battle lasted three days,
resulting in the complete route of the
who lost 1000 killed.
has 10000 troops at the
-ront and will commence an immediate
attack on Choluteca and Tegucigalpa."
arrArN TUE TU0nDc