New-York tribune., 1910-08-19
MO|SSAN7'S EXCITING LIFE.
CONSPICUOUS Figure in Central
American Revolutions.
'zELAYA HIS STANCH FRIEND
Ex- President Of Nicaragua PIT
Him at Head of Expedition
Against Salvador.

While John B Moissant's trip across the
English Channel was probably his most
yentr,resome experience as an aviator. he
has had series OF exciting and exhilarat-
ing experiences on land which perhaps were
rot much less hazardous. Before becoming
a navigator of the air he was a planter in
Salvador in partnership with his brothers
George and Alfred. and incidentally was a
soldier of fortune. In several exploits in
the latter role he proved himself daring,
reckless fighter and he was conspicuous
figure In three Central American countries,
where he indu1ged in their gunpowder pol
ittcs.
Ex-President ZeIaya. who was his stanch
friend made Motssant colonel In the NC
aragrIan army in recognition of his daring
and fighting ability. As recently as March,
1909. the aviator was mixed UP In a plot TO
overthrow President Figueroa of Salvador,
which was frustrated by the interference
Of the American cruiser Albany.
The Moissant brothers were prosperous
planters in Salvador when Johnny. as the
most active OF the three was known there,
evolved a plan for the overthrow OF Presl-
dent Tomas ResaIedo. The SaIvadoran
government confiscated the property of the
Moissants and caused the laborers to be
naDgeu
get Some discriminating information about
Johnny" who had fed. The brothers filed
a large claim With the state Department at
Washington against the government of Sal
vador. and MI Merry, American Minister TO
Costa Rica. was sent to Salvador to investi-
gate the matter.
The scene of Johnny MoIssants s next eX-
plot was Honduras. Manuel Bonilla was
General T,aCila wanted his
Job Ex-President PolicaTpO Bonilla was
the latter's revolutionary campaign man
ager Moissant contributed $4,000 to the
DavfIa revolution through Policarpo Bo-
niIls who promised that If the movement
was successful the Moissant brothers should
have a concession for a government bank
IN Teg7lcigaIpa The revolution was sue
cessrui. the Congress passed a law for the
granting of the concession. but Davilla
who had come into power, repudiated the
deal made by his campaign manager. Mois-
SAINT was out his $40 GOO and tried again TO
interest the State Department in his
troubles.
In 1907 Moissant became a military figure
in Nicaragua He was regarded a
snort and good fellow at Managua,
and had a good sized exchequer. He at
tracted the attention of President Zelaya,
who found in Moissant a ready aid in the
Nicaraguan Presidents planned exploita-
ton Of a revolution against the govern
ment of Salvador. Zelaya made the Ameri-
can a colonel. and placed him at the head
OF an expedition of Salvadoran malcontents
on board the Nicaragua gunboat Mono
tornbo The latter attacked Acajutla with
Colonel Moissant personally handling
the machine guns, and the latter won the
victory. Zelaya praised Moissant for the
courage he displayed in that fight.
The last revolutionary adventure Of Mois-
SAINT was in March 1909. when he again be-
came involved in uprising against Saliva
dor. He supported Prudencio Alfaro, who
sought TO overthrow President Figheroa.
Again he selected Nicaragua a base OF
operations. He took a fllibustering eXpedf-
ton, with a party OF revolutionists, from
the latter republic TO invade Salvador.
Washington heard of the move, and in
formed Commander Benson OF the cruiser
Albany, which was in Central American
waters at the time. The commander sent
two launches after the filibuster. which was
intercepted IN the Gulf of Fonseca on her
way to La Union, and compelled TO turn
back to Nicaragua