The San Francisco call., 1907-03-24
FORCES OF HONDURAS
SUFFER MORE DEFEATS
Nigaraguans Gaining the
Upper Hand in War
of Republics
MERRY TELLS STORY
Details Given of American
Minister'S Encounter
With Zelaya
MERRY TELLS STORY

mANAtBAA ~ NlcAF1kuu. 80
The HOnduran and sa1vadOrean forces
have been defeated by the Nfcaraguans
near CboIutca. The Niearaguans eap-
tured the positions of the enemy with
the aid of artillery, Further details
of this engagement are lacking.
SIX Nfcaraguan steamers are operat-
ing successfully on the Atlantic and
Pacific cOasts.
MANAGUA, March 23.-Advices re-
ceived here from the front say that. the
army Of President Bonilla OF Honduras
has been attacked and defeated near
Marietta by the Honduran revolution
fists and the Nicsraguan army after
ten hours OF hard fighting Bonills's
troops. IL is said, left behind them their
camp equipment, artillery, rifles and
ammunition. Among the prisoners cap
tured by the Honduran- nicaragua
forces were General Sotero Barahona,
the Hondursn Minister OF War, who
was severely wounded, and General
Christmas, the American soldier, for
merry Of Memphis. Many were killed
or wounded.
President Zelaya is directing the OPP
erations OF his army from Msaagua-
MERRY DEFIED ZELAYA
NEW ORLEANS. March 2s.-The
Picayune has received from its stan
correspondent at San Jose, Costa Rica,
a letter confirming the story about the
recent trouble between President Ze-
taya Of Nicaragua and American Minis
ter Merry. After telling of the tam
pering with Merry's official cables to
washington and his leaving Managua
and going to corinto TO take a steamer
for Costa Rica. the correspondent
states that the captain of the Barra-
couta was supported by Minister Merry
in his refusal to allow Zelaya to search
his vessel for arms or TO show his con-
sulsr invoices.
He says that Minister Merry went
aboard and after an investigation fully
indorsed the position taken by the cap
tain. He had said that there was no
law which could force the captain to
open his safe and show consular in
voices TO the officials OF foreign coun-
try. even thoug-- that country might
be. at war with the country to which
the invoice and freight were consigned.
The Minister of War told the captain
OF the Barracuda that he would search
the hold and left the ship. apparently
TO secure the armed force.
PREPARED FoF FIGHT
During his absence Minister Merry
Instructed the captain to arm his crew
and officers and attach the nose TO tne
fire pipes and prepare TO defend his
ship by means of hot water. Then he
notified his secretary 10 have his bag
gage brought from the hotel and taken
on board the Baracouta- Merry hoisted
the legation flag TO the main mast OF
the ship and notified Nicaragua that
this shin for the time being was the
American legation and American terri
tory
There was no attempt made to search
the cargo Of the Baracouta- The de-
mand was really made upon the cap
tain for his ships papers. The captain
did not know what the boxes taken on
board az Panama contained, and so
notified the Nicaraguan representatives,.
Merry sailed from Corinto nortbward
and went aboard the City ef Para at
Salvador. He then sailed down TO
Costa Rica. The correspondent states
that Minister Merry confirms the story
as published and the additional facts
given in his letter.
NEW ORLEANS, March 23.-The
steamer Habil. which was seized and
held for several hours by Honduran
forces at Ceibs, Honduras. on March
II. has reached New Orleans and re-
ports that on March 13 a naval en-
ga agement took place between the Hon
duran gunboat Toruma and the Mica
raguan gunboat Omelepe, of the coast
of Honduras, about twenty miles from
Trujillo TWO shots were fired into
the bow Of the Omelepe, which then
withdrew. No casualties were reported.