The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1909-12-09
WAR FEVER HAS
|. REACHEDHONDURAS
Republic Declares Martial Law
to RepeI Invasion.
WAR FLEET RECEIVE ORDERS
Commanders Are Instructed to Care
fully Guard American interests
Nicaraguan Situation Rem
dered More Acute.
WAR FLEET RECEIVE ORDERS

Washington, Dec. S.--The flrebrand
of war has been again hurled against
the 1907 Root peace compact with
Central American governments and
the Nicaraguan situation has been
rendered more acute. The republic
of Honduras has declared martial law
in order to repel an invasion headed
by the former president, Manuel
Boni;la.
Although the state department has
received no further information than
the notification of the unexpected or
der for Honduran protection, it is as
sumed by the department that the ac-
ton has been FASTENED by prospect of
an immediate overthrow of the Zelaya
dynasty in Nicaragua
Commanders Receive Orders.
This government has sent out or
ders to commanders of the war feet
already in those waters instructing
them to carefully guard American and
foreign interests in Honduras as well
as in Nicaragua.
They have also been directed to use
their wireless system to inform the
home government of the actual condi-
tions in Nicaragua and Honduras.
The news of the spreading of the
war fever got to the cabinet before
the members had concluded the de-
liberation of other matters.
knox's Policy Before Cabinet.
| The intention of President Taft to
send special Nicaraguan message
to congress to supplement his treat
ment of the subject in his regular
message relative to the question of a
temporary occupation of the republic
until a stable government has been es-
! tablished, came in for considerable
discussion. The entire cabinet is be-
! hind the president and Secretary
Knox in the comprehensive and ag-
gressiye policy which has been for
muiated M,
The cruiser Albany and the gunboat
Yorktown the breaking all of their
previous speed records In getting to
the front. They may join the Ameri-
can fleet at Corinto to-day unless
they are held further north to await
developments in Honduras.
Bcnilla Seeks Revenge.
1t was a little over two years ago
that Bonilla, the new revolutionist.
was ousted from the presidency of
Honduras by Zelaya, the dictator. He
! had to seek retreat in British Hon.
duras, where he was until within the
last few weeks. Desiring to wreak
vengeance on Zelaya he picked the
moment when his arch enemy was
rapidly being driven from power.
1t is admitted in government circles
that Bonilla is an able man and that
his re-entry into his country may re-
suit in the overthrow of President Da-
villa, who succeeded hiT. This gov
eminent has no crow to pick with
DaYila, but there is no doubt that he
would prove a disturbing factor In
Zelaya removed from further partici-
patton in the affairs in that section.
Rumors which reached the state
} department of victory of the Zelaya
army over the Estrada forces near
Rama, where the opposing armies
have been facing each other, have
received no official verifieation. 1t is
believed a battle cannot be fought
without some report from the COM
manders of the American warships at
Greytown, Port Limon, or Bluefields.
News of defeat OF Estrada would
be unwelcome to this government IT
would unquestionably be the cause OF
forcing the United States to send
; troops to Nicaragua. The official hope
here is that Gen. Estrada will be able
to push on toward Managua and put
the Zelaya government out of power
without the necessity of the United
States sending any more ships to the
scene or being required to increase the
present force of jackies now guard
ing Vice-Consul Caldera and American
interests in Nicaraguan soil.