Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-06
Estradists See Cause ImperiI-
ed by Steamers Success.
TAKING ARMS TO MADRIZ
Appeal to United States to Seize Her
at Greytown.
SHE Is ABLE TO RUN BLOCKADE
Course of American Government Not
Disclosed-Defeat Of Insur.
rection May Result.

j I
been asked to intervene in Nicaraguan
affairs by Senior CASTILLO. Washington
representative OF the revolutionary party
led by Estrada.
He has appealed to both the State De-
partment and the Department of Justice
to seize the steamer Venus, on the ground
that that vessel is carrying a fiilibuster-
ing expedition to Nicaragua in violation
Of the law of neutrality.
Efforts were previously made by agents
of Estrada to prevent the departure OF
the Venus from New Orleans en- the same
general grounds. The vessel was detained
for several days to enable the Attorney
General to consider the matter
AS result OF his Investigations the
customs authorities were instructed to
release the vessel. She sailed away sew
eral days ago. and is now believed to be
at Belize. Honduras, on her way to Grey
town, Nicaragua.
Venus Mounted Guns at Belize.
When the Venus left New Orleans she
was heavily laden with arms and military
stores. She displayed the British flag
and carried a large crew OF British and
Americans. 1t was freely admitted that
her cargo was consigned to the agents OF
the Madriz government at Greytown.
1t is now charged that the steamer
stopped at Belize for the purpose of i'm
stailing guns and protective armor. In
order to be able to run the blockade OF
Greytown. said to be maintained by four
small boats manned by the followers OF
Estrada.
1t IS alleged that the Estrada party
fears that their blockade is not strong
enough against a vessel of the Venus
type, and that explains why they have
called on the United States government
for aid i'm preventing the Venus from en-
terfng the port OF G. eytowu. Ii is repre-
scented that the munitions of war on the
VENUS are designed for the use OF the
Madriz forces at Greytown and that her
safe arrival at that port will he followed
by strong attack on the remnants OF
the Estrada army now in possession OF
Bluefields.
United States Able to Stop Her.
The United States government can cas-
lily prevent the execution of the plans of
the Madriz party. What course it will
take in the matter of the Venus Is not
disclosed.
The gunboats Paducah and Dubuque are
patrolling the east coast OF Nicaragua.
and are available for any service re-
quired In the present emergency. Either
one is more than a match for the Venus.
which is only merchant vessel
Naturally the United States authorities
hesitate to interfere in this case Al
though this government does not recog-
nize Madriz as president of Nicaragua.
1t is admitted unofficially that he is the
de facto head of the only government
that exists in that country
The question involved i'm the Venus
case is whether an expedition designed to
aid in suppressing a revolution can prop
erly be regarded as a filioustering expe-
dition within the meaning of the neu-
trality laws. In International law Nil
clustering expedition is an unlawful mill
tary expedition into a foreign country In
aid OF revolution or with the object OF
annexation or plumber
The most important instances cited are
the Lopez expedition from New Orleans
against Cuba in 1850 and the bands led
by William Walker in.o Mexico and
Nicaragua in 1853 and 1858.
Rebels Have Offended Same Way.
The case against the Venus might be
stronger but for the fact that similar
expeditions I'm the interests of the reyo-
lutionary party had been fitted out pre-
viously at New Orleans and other
United States ports without official mo-
lestation.
The Importance of the policy of the
United states i'm this particular instance
lies in the belief that it will determine
the question of whether the Madriz or
the Estrada party shall control the Do
htical destiny of Nicaragua.
AS was generally expected, the efforts
to have the two leaders agree upon an
armistice to arrange for peaceful set
1t is the belief of many diplomats that
the fate of Estrada is sealed unless the
United States comes to his aid by seiz-
ing the Venus.