New-York tribune., 1910-07-31
FIGHTING IN NICARAGUA
Revolutionists Active Again, and
Gathering Strength.
PROTEST AGAINST HORNET
Madriz Agents insist Yacht Is
War Vessel and Ask That
Clearance ye Denied Her.

washington lily S-Renewed activity
or the part Of she revolu.ionists In South
western Nicaragua WAS reported to the
State Departrzent to-day by United States
Consul Oiirares. OF Managua. Since July
- the consaI reported. the telegraph wires
between Nsna1ua and San Juan del Sur
repeatedly had been cut by the revolution
ists operating in the vicinity of Nandaine.
Communication with the cable station at
ssn Juan del Sur also has been inter
rUDted-
The revolutionary forces between Man
aqua and Rivas steadily were gaining in
strength. the department was informed by
Nr olivares. On July 3s the Madriz
forces a. a small town named Masatepe,
twenty miles east OF Managua. on the rail-
road. were defeated and arms and am
r.unition captured. Public service on the
-silroad had been suspended from Nanasua
eastward
Counsellors for the Madriz government
n Nicaragua, acting under cabled instruc-
tions from Manasua- to-day filed formal
protests with this government against the
ssiling OF the yacht Hornet. commonly re-
ported TO have been bought for the Estrada
revolutionists at Norfolk last week. and
demanded an examination of the vessel,
which is TOW on the way 10 New Orleans.
The Department of Justice. il Is under
stood. has instructed United States Attorney
5eattte at New Orleans, 10 take whatever
steps may appear 10 be necessary for the
protection Of the neutrality laws before
clearance papers are issued TO the Hornet
The Department Of Commerce and Labor
in the same protest has been asked not 10
clear the ship, and the State Department
has been reminded Of the case Of the Ala
baua. Of C'1vif War fame
The Madriz counsellors maintain that the
snip has been specially adapted TO warlike
use within the Jurisdiction Of the United
States and has forfeited her character of
q merchant vessel and cannot sail from
any port in the United States without vio-
Iating the neutrality laws
When the Estrada men heard Of the
protest they pointed 10 the fact that the
Navy Department removed the guns from
the Hornet before she was sold, and by
that action they claim the Hornet returned
70 her character OF a yacht peaceable and
harmless
one section Of the protest charges that
the Hornet is carrying munitions Of war 10
the Estrada forces The neutrality laws
allow any vessel TO carry arms and aInrnu-
milton as cargo; in fact, that was the pro-
vision under which the Venus, now doing
service for the Madriz government on the
east coast Of Nicaragua. sailed from New
orleans and mounted her guns later q
Pear Lagoon.
Another part OF the protest rather tartiy
remarks that Madriz has been maintaining
an effectuaI blockade at Biuehelds except
IS against the superior force Of the United
States"
After citing the neutrality laws and refer
ring 10 The case Of the Alabama the pro
test closes with q demand that an inquiry
be started with q view OF hbellin5 tbs
Hornet Applications for her clearance
have already been made 70 The Collector o.
the Port al New Orleans
When the Venus got away ii was after
the Estrada consul had forced an investiga-
ton which officially developed no evidence
on which this government could hold the
ship. Later when she changed her charac c
ter 70 & gunboat. the State Department sen'
z sharp note 10 Madriz, telling him in effect
that his scheme TO hoodwink this govern
rnent had not passed Unnoticed.
The Madriz protest got 10 the State De
partn7eut TOO late IN the day TO bring ou1
e comment on the diplomatic turn Of the
situation.