New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-23
SHIP AT OWN RISK
TO NICARAGUA PORTS.
Government Stands Squarely
ON MarcY Doctrine.

washington, Oct. Z.-"ship at your own
risk: clearances IL you insist" Is IN sub
stance the reply which this government
has given 20 steamship companies and
business firms interested On the situation
growing out of the closing OF the Atlantic
Coast ports OF Nicaragua. These interests
have urgently appealed for relief. declar-
ing that unless it Is Forthcoming speedily
physical distress and ruin to business will
ensue.
The government stands sauareiy on tho
doctrine laid down by Secretary Marcy on
May IA. 1856. declaring that there is no law
Of the United States which authorizes the
refusal Of a clearance to vessel bound
to an insurreetionsry port or the irnposi-
ton OF any penalty for the entrance OF a
United States vessel into such port for
commercial purposes only Mr.. Marcy. re-
ferring to a question then pending with
Mexico. added:
The just belliEerent rights. however. OF
all powers engaged In civil or foreign
war, so far as those rights may be invad-
ed by citizens of the United States, are
Aprii 20, ISIS. Phis J government sS Viii not
complain If, in the exercise of her belliger-
emit righst according to treaties and the
ing her jurisdiction over Acapulco. Mex
leo should subject the vessels or citizens
or Vne united states 70 proper punish
lnent for a violation OF those rights Tho
decree of the Mexican government must,
however. be considered as tantamOunt to
q blockade or siege by proclamation only.
IT, therefore, any vessel OF the United
States shall be subjected 90 forfeiture
for entering Acapulco unless she shall be
warned off by a competent blOckading
force, the Mexican government will be
held accountable therefor, nOtwithstand
monte's note.
It was pointed out by legal authorities
here to-day that a collector who refuses a
clearance, unless he has reason TO believe
the neutrality laws violated. becomes liable
for damages. There Is no indication IN
any Of the records in Washington that
there has been any attempt at or pretencs
OF violation Of the neutrality laws. New
Orleans interests claiming to represent 50
per cent Of the American capital invested
on the Atlantic Coast OF Nicaragua, which
were among those that telegraphed here to
know what 20 expect, expressly obligated
themselves not to violate the neutrality
laws. These New Orleans interests have
advised the Washington authorities that
the closing OF all the avenues of commerce
between the United States and the Atlantic
Coast OF Nicaragua is ruinOus 10 business
that a steamer arriving there yesterday re-
ported that women and children in Mica
within week. and that large losses viii
result unless there Is some quick action.
An earnest effort to retalze Rama. the IN
land city now held by the Nicarasuan revo-
lutionists, Is TO be made by President Re
laya's government, according TO information
received here to-day. This place is regard
ed as an important strategic point being
at the confluence OF two rivers, whose juno
ton forms the EscOndidO. or Bluehelds.
River. at the mouth OF which is the town
OF Bluefelds. II is said that President Ze-
laya can put ten thousand men in the field
to force fight with the revolutionists
there.
Senior Espinosa, the Nicaragusn Minister.
says his government feels confident, accord
ins 20 the latest information which reached
him to-day. that it will be able to over
throw the opposition.
The SunbOat Vicksburg has sailed from
Acajutla, Salvador, for San Jose de Gaute-
mala- Ofncials say. however. that this has
no connection with the charges made by
Nicaragua. that the revolutionists there are
receiving aid from Guatemala.