Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-26
Seized Schooner Not Entitled
to American Protection.
WAS WITHOUT AUTHORITY
State Department Advices Put New
Light on Nicaraguan Affair.
MESSAGE FROM CONSUL MoFFAT
Vessel Partly Owned by Americans,
But Carries Nicaraguan Regis
try-British Ships Enroute.

If the schooner Esfuerzo. which was
searched by the Nicaraguan gunboat
Venus, was flying the United States flag
at the time she was overhauled, as has
been reported. she was carrying the
Stars and Stripes without any authority.
according to official advices received
here.
1t is admitted at the State Department
that the seizure Of the Esfuerzo by the
Nicaraguan gunboat Venus calls for no
punitive action on the part Of this gov
ernment.
Dispatches received at the State De-
partment from United States Consul Mof-
fat at Bluefelds and from Capt Gilmer,
commanding the naval forces in that
vicinity. show that the Esfuerzo was sail
ing under false colors and is not entitled
to the protection of this government.
According to these dispatches the Es-
fuerzo while partly owned by Americans.
Is registered as Nicaraguan vessel and
is not entitled to fly the United States
flag.
No Violation Of Rights.
Although the action Of the Venus in
searching her may have been irregular, 1t
involved, it is declared, no violation of
American rights, and consequently called
for no action on the part of the American
gunboats Paducah and Dubuque, engaged
in the enforcement of the administration
policy at Bluefields.
The situation at that port will become
further complicated In a day or two by
the arrival there of the British cruiser
Scylla and the Estrada gunboat Utstein
The Scylla sailed from Jamaica last Sum
day or Monday under orders from Lon
don to guard British interests on the east
coast Of Nicaragua, particularly IN
the neighborhood or biueneids. The
ScyIla patrolled that coast several months
ago and prevented the bombardment by
the Estrada fleet of the town OF Grey
town, occupied by the Madriz forces. IL
is expected that she will cooperate with
the American gnnboats in protecting for
eign interests at BlueheidS.
Sailed From New Orleans.
The Utstein cleared from New Orleans
on the 10Th instant for Bluefields with the
avowed purpose of putting the Madriz
gunboat Venus out Of commission. The
Utstein carries several guns and large
supplies Of ammunition. She is said to
be under the command OF Gen. Sussman'
t;strada's agent at New Orleans, with
Gabriel Conrad, a Louisianan, as his
Chief lighting lieutenant.
Conrad has rendered good service In the
cause Of the insurgents and Is cTedlteu
with having led Estrada's army to VIC
tory at FL Recreo.
Change in Our Attitude.
Indications are that there has been a
slight change in the attitude OF tfe gov
ernment here regarding the blockade at
Bluefields, although no admission to that
effect can be secured. 1t is quite evident,
however, that there is now less dlsposi-
ton to interfere with the operations Of
the Madriz cruiser Venus than was at
first manifested. In other words, SO long
as her commander observes the ruies OIL
civilized warfare and refrains from bonn
ba riding an unfortified town as well as
from interfering with foreign commerce
he will probably not be again moiesleu ps
the American naval commanders. AL
mitting the existence OF state OF war at
RIuefields. certain inherent privileges
n,ust he conceded to the belligerents on
both sides, else the struggle would never
Can't Gilmer of the Paducah, the senior
American naval officer on the spot mas
heen given the instructions usual In sucn
cases They were cabled today. These
allow him considerable liberty OF actlon.
hut of course. would not warrant hiin
pluncing the United States into war with
either of the Nicaraguan factions uniess
a great emergency should arise, which IS
not anticipated. Fer instance. he would
not attempt to prevent the Venue from
bombarding the custom house biuff. 1our
miles from Bluefields. which commands
the approaches to the town Inc piul1
is understood to be defended by two six
FOUNDERS. and to be garrisoned by an
armed force of insurgents. so that 1t is
conceded to be a proper point OF attack
under the rules of modern warfare. Like
wise the Navy Department hoids that IL
10 not Cant. Gilmer's business to interfere
IL the Venus should stop and search
Nicara guam vessel belonging to the op-
nosine faction, which explains why no
protest was made against the search OF
the EfuerZo yesterday
Rebel Defeat Reported.
SAN JUAN DEL SUR, Nicaragua. May
ga report has been received from gov
ernment sources Of the complete defeat
of the insurgents at Bluefelds Bluff. The
telegraph lines are working badly, and
details have not been received.
NEW ORLEANS. May 26.-The steam
ship Dictator has arrived from Bluefields.
Nicaragua. She was captured by the
Madriz man-of-war Maximo de Jaurez
lately the Venus of New Orleans. and her
mails. rifles and provisions taken up ny
the Madriz navy. Capt. Gilmer of the
L. S. s. Paducah compelled the Venus
to release the Dictator and return the
United States mails she captured
The Madriz sailors on the Venus were
half starving and made for the Dictators s
galley, where they devoured everything.
Many were prisoners from Corn Island.
and were threatening to desert unless
they were fed. The Venus attempted
to capture the Hiram. which was loaded
with guns and ammunition for the revo-