Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-02
Word From u. S. Awaited,

Whether the United States government
will allow the Nicaraguan government to
say what vessels shall enter the chief
eastern seaport of the country, or under
what conditions such entrance shall be
made, is a matter of doubt here. where
decision in the matter by Secretary
Knox is anxiously awaited.
The district to the noItn embraced by
Prinzapulka and the Rio Grande rivers
is rich in mining and agricultural in
terests. owned chiefly by Americans.
The exports from that territory to Blue
fields are important, and If the govern
ment should decide to hold up the ves-
purpose of cutting Off the insurgent source
of supplies, the situation from the stand
point of Gen. Estrada would be rendered
more serious.
cree may have been issued before DR..
Irias had been officially informed OF the
attitude at Washington toward the collec-
tion of custom duties at this port. Sec
retary Knox having decided that the in
surgents, although driven out of the BLUM
and having abandoned the custom house
to the government forces, may still COL
lect customs at some other point, en-
courages the belief that the American
government will again intervene to the
ultimate advantage OF the revolutionists.
DR.. Irias' decree was issued on the day
on which the government troops under
Gen. Lara and Gen. Godoy fell back af-
ter repeated and unsuccessful attempts
to take Bluefelds with their land forces.
Gen. Estrada and Gen. Chamorro as
withdrew, leaving their dead and wound
ed on the field. Altogether Estrada has
taken 800 p. isoners.
The forces under Gen. Lara are con-
sidered to be the flower of the govern
men. S army, and their abandonment. for
against
Biuefields has given new courage to the
insurgent commander. Gen. Estrada, who
has been keenly disappointed by the in
ability OF his men under Gen. Zeledon to
hold the bluff and custom house.
Gen. Lara cannot retreat to any great
distance because of the swamps by which
he is surrounded. and which have been
rendered impossible by recent heavy
rains. Accordingly it appears that the
final issue may be fought out not far
from the present positions of the con-
tending armies.
The decree issued by DR.. Irias, in COM
mand of the Madriz war vessel Venus a.
Bluefields. to the effect that no vessels
will be permitted to enter that port after
June without the consent Of the Madriz
government and without having first paid
duties at the custom house on Bluefields
Bluff will be disregarded by Capt Gil
mer of the United States gunboat Padu-
cab, and should Irias attempt to prevent
any American vessel from entering the
barbor without having first paid duties
at the Bluff he will do so at his peril.
This is the announced position Of the
United States government. 1t will be re-
called that Secretary Knox in his tele-
gram to Capt Gilmer Tuesday stated IN
effect that the United States admitted the
right Of the Estrada faction to col ect
customs for Bluefields and denied this
right to the other faction, and inasmuch
as the United States recognizes neither
faction as government of Nicaragua.
but merely as in de facto control CT por-
tions of the country. proclamations on
either's part which are inconsistent with
this attitude are without effect On the
United States and It's citizens.