The Washington herald., 1908-07-23

Mobile. Ala, July 22-Seven dead. four
On the government and three on the
rebel side, are casualties resulting from
the clash between loyal troops and in
surgents when the latter endeavored 10
capture Ceiba, Spanish Honduras. last
Thursday afternoon. according 10 reports
brought here
The attack on Ceiba lasted nearly an
hour, and at the end the rebels were
badly beaten. being compelled 10 flee
back 20 the woods, leaving their dead
behind them.
The assault on the town followed an
effort by the government to recapture f
POrvenir. which had fallen into the hands
Of the insurgents the day before. A de-
tachment Of troops was sent out in the
direction Of Fl Porvenir. which is located
ten miles west Of Ceiba- About half way
10 their destination they We're p0unced
upon by the rebels Owing 10 their small
number. the troops retreated after q
few shots had been exchanged and hUr-
ried pack into Ceiba. followed by the
enemy
About noon Thursday, an eInissary was
sent into the town demanding of the com
mandant that he surrender the place and
give S2o000 TO the insurrectos- The de-
mand was rejected and al once prepara-
lions began 20 be made for the clash.
Without waiting for the arrival Of the
rebels, the government soldiers went out
TO meet them and the main skirmish took
place in the outskirts
200 Troops in Army.
The troops numbered some 5no. and it
IS declared that the attacking party con-
sisted OF not more than fifty or seventy
five. which made the contest a very Un-
even one Some Of those who were IN
Ceiba at the time Of the attack claim that
notwithstanding they ouJDumbered the
force more than four % one. the govern
ment troops were driven hack into he
town 10 the outer ditch that lad been
dug around the quartet as q defense. and
that II was there the soldiers made ths!-
final stand and came ont victorious Il IS
said the attack was merely for the pur-
pose OF asCerJainilg the strength Of the
government forces, and that within the
next few days. the rebels VIII attack the
town in force. The rebels are Camped in
the woods just few miles outside. and
small parties Of them often steal 10 The
very edge Of the port
Two Dead Rebels Buried.
Two Of the rebel dead were buried last
Friday on the beach al the water front
OF the city Martial law IS IN force In
Ceiha and the streets are constantly
patrousd by soldiers and no loading or ur-
loading ships after O'Clock in th. even
ing IS permitted
Through communication with the sta
ZION on Swan Island of the coast Of
Honduras IL was learned that the Aueri-
can gunbOat Marietta which left Guam
1anamO. Cuba, some DAYS ago. was only
q few miles away from the island
Although the AIarie-ta's original orders
were TO 60 10 Puerto Correz- the tenor Of
the Swan Island message indicates thar
the war ship was headed in the direction
of Cesba- The gUnboat should have
reached either Of these TWO places by late
Sunday night or early Monday morning.
SO II IS presumed that she Is now in one
OF the ports.
Town Takes Center Of Stage.
As Ceiba has lately taken the center OF
the stage in the revolution. it is possible
that while en- route the Marietta received
orders 10 change her course and proceed
there instead Of going 20 Puerto Cortez
Al interesting bit OF gossip brought
here was that Francis G. Bailey. fugitive
president OF the Export Shipping Com
pany. IS now waiting for a favorable op-
pOrtun!ty TO escape 10 Venezuela, which
since the Houduras-T -ui-ed States extra
ditiOn treaty was entered into. IS seem
ingly the only country in Central or South
America where criminals may secure q
safe harbOr-