New-York tribune., 1909-03-13
ANOI HER CENTRAL
AMERICAN WAR
NICARAGUA OPENS FIGHT
ON lS4LFADOR.
The Momotombo Disabled by Shot
Three Gumboats 4ttdck One
-Interrenfion Urged.

Mexico City. March IA private dispatch
received here tonight absolutely confirms the
naval engagement reported to-day between the
.hips Of Nicaragua and Salvador
Three Nicara guam gunbosts. led by the Mono
+o-nbo attacked on Tuesday the Salvadoren
runboat Presidents. The latter by a lucky shot
MT the Mon1otombo cut Of action almost at the
bszfrnine of the engagement. The three Mica
-sr1ans then withdrew Later The Momoton1ho
wss repaired and went in pursuit of the Presi-
dente.
The -gunhoat Presidente left the port Of Aoa-
i,-ia under sealed orders and proceeded 10 cruise
sronz the Nicaraguan coast President Zelaya
~ Nicaragua, getting word of this ordered the
no-,otornbo. which is manned and of1cered by
Americans. and two other ships to intercept the
sslvadoran vessel and engage her in battle
The Presidente was encountered of the harhor
Of Corinto. but succeeded in getting into action
e-zt and disabling the Monlotombo- The latter
,-ss oompeIIed 20 withdraw. and lmped back to
che mort of C-orinto The two vessels accom-
-nanving her also withdrew. Hasty repairs were
--.de m the Momotou'bo and within few
hours she was ready to put to sea again As
she is faster and better equipped ship than the
Presidente Il is considered certain that she viii
o7-ertske the SaIvadoran gunboat
IT'S said here that second engagement vas
,o,,sb+ either to-day or yesterday. 1t is thought
that the cable communication between Mexico
and Nicaragua has been cut
Secra.srv Gamhoa said that up 10 tonight no
,rs,-uctiors had been sent to Minister he la
zsr. - washington relative to joint inter
.,+io, in Central American affairs by Mexico
,.-d the United states. He admitted that the
,,+,stior WAS grave Intervention similar to
,,.1 which was in force in cuba w 70 the pres
.nt vesr is possibility.
Secretary Gaunbos vas IN conference WIN
PRESIDENT Daz at the Castle Of ChapuItepec to
DAY and Central American affairs were dis
cussed by them.
|; It is unofhcialIy. reported here that protec-
torzte is being considered. and startling deyel-
epnnents are predicted within the next FIVE days
President zelavs has apparently determined TO
ware war on Salvador in spite Of the United
States or Mexico. The republics Of Honduras
conflict as allies. the former Of Nicaragua and
the latter Of Salvador.
4 high Mexican official said to-day:
Conditions in Central America are becoming
~ irtoIera HE as TO be menace 70 clNlilza'ion
:. * question of few weeks. at the most
---beT Nexioo and the United States viii hs com
raTled n intervene in the affairs of al ieast
17-es ~ the republics and bring them 70 rear
f-s+ior Of the pledge signed by them at me re-
cent peace conference
It's reported here that Mexico and the United
states have arrived at full accord as 70 the pro-
oaedinrs Il he taken within the next few
months Intervention being apparently ineVi-
table it fs said that the United States viii take
TIE initiative. Mexico backing UP that country
An editorial which appeared in to-day's issue
er THE Mexican Herald and is regarded In
some quarters as having been inspired by the
government IS causing alarm. II advocates the
annexation Of Central America by Mexico and
intirates that such elimination Of the que
tion would not meet the disaPproval Of the