New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-04
ARREST NICARAGUANS
l.. S. M4RINES LANDED.
FuLlam Acts Promptly in Case OF
assault on american Negro.

Puerto Cortez. April % (via Mobile, May 81
General Davis. colored. was brutaIly assaulted
at Puerto Cortez April q by Nicaraguan
soldiers, and may die. Commander Fuam, of
the United States gunboat Marietta, has ordered
the arrest of several Nicaraguan officers and
soldiers. and if the man dies they Will be charged
for murder. FulIam has assumed charge. Davis
is not an officer. His name is General
About five o'clock on the evening of Saturday.
April q. Davis a negro of Boyce Station, La,
fruit inspector for the Thacker Brothers steam
ship line was standing near the railroad sta
ton at La Laguna, talking with three or four
negro companions, also Americans.
4 drunken Nicaraguan soldier armed with a
rnachete approached the party and demanded to
know what they were talking about. Davis an
swered that il was none of his business, where
upon the Nicaraguan soldier drew his machete
and struck Davis, who took away the weapon
and went TO a house near by. squad Of police
men and Nicaraguan soldiers dragged Davis
from the house. Davis asked the squad why
they did not arrest the Nicaraguan. In reply
the party beat him until he was unconscious
The soldiers and policemen carried him to the
Quartet. Believing that he was dying they car
ried the body back and threw it on the ground
Within ter minutes bluejackets OF the Mari
eta. under Ensign Rorsach, were on the spot.
Commander FuIlam's orders We're: ARREST the
Chief Of Police and the policemen engaged
in the assault; put them in irons and send them
aboard ship Arrest the Nicaraguan officers
and nen engaged in the assault, and hold them
for orders"
L was thought that attempt might be
made to release the prisoners so another force
vas landed from the Paducah and the Marietta
The Paducah moved TO a position fronting the
Nicaraguan Quartet, while the Marietta covered
the Quartet in the port
Commander FuIlam, finding that the civil au-
thorities were Incapable of maintaining order
and that the government Of TegucigaIpa was a
mere provisional agreement of certain leaders
which gave no evidence Of stability. decided TO
ignore the authorities and recognize the only
organized and disciplined force here. under Cen
sral Estrada, commanding the Nicaraguan
forces.
The Nicaraguan officers and men arrested
were delivered by Commander Fullam's order
TO General Estrada, who was advised that they
would be held responsible. Notice also was
served on the Honduran and NicaraguaE au-
thorties that reparation would be demanded
and punishment must be inflicted on all Of the
perpetrators Of the outrage Commander Full
lam Of the Marietta says if Davis dies the men
arrested viii be tried for murder, presumably
by court martial, and the guilty once hanged.
Commander Fullam has placed Captain Win
terhalter in command of the land forces, and he
is conducting vigorous investigation OF all the
details Of the Davis affair.
Washington, May 3.-The cruisers Chicago and
Boston. which have been engaged for several weeks
N protecting United States interests in Central
America left Amapala, Honduras. yesterday for
aorthern ports. The Chicago is bound for Magda-
ieha Bay Southern California. to engage in target
practice. The Boston IS bound for Puget Sound
@nere she will be put out Of commission The
ppuHer Albany VIII be put in commission at the
ttuget sound station. and will replace the Boston
u the Pacific feet