The Washington times., 1910-05-26
Commander Gilmer of the
Paducah Has Orders TO
Fire When Necessary.
VENUS HAS NO RIGHT
TO SEARCH VESSELS
American Interests Are 10 Be Pro
tected At All Hazards By
Secretary Knox.

( Because American property was en-
/ dangered when ths AIadriz gunboat, the
/ Venus fred on and boarded the vessel
7 EssuerZo near Bluehelds yesterday. II IS
more than probable that the United
States VIII declare the Venus % be
j pirate ship
II this IS done. Commander GIlner.
/ who is in charge Of the American navy
I representation of the Nicaraguan coast.
viii be instructed TO take such steps As
+ he deems necessary 70 quiet OF put out
Of commission the offending NIadriz boat
Although official statements az the
3 Department Of State this afternoon were
I that no acion IS contemplated al once. II
I vas admitted that Secretary Knox has
the incident under consideration and that
a decided move may be made with tae
view OF protecting all American owned
craft going into Nicaragu waters
Status Of the Essuerzo.
In a cable dispatch received BY the
I department today from Consul Monatt.
confirmation was had Of the searching o.
the EssuerzO by the officers and crew
OF the Venus. Other dispatches and de-
tailed inquiry BY the department. how
~ er. have established:
American flag.
That she Is an American owned craft
That she has NicsragUan register.
and that she was flying the NicaragUan
flag
That, because Of these things, she had
10 technical right 70 claim the prOtec-
ton OF Ih-s Government, but was and
IS. 10 al intent and purpose. under the
Nlcaraguau government.
But Mr.. k2ox sticks 20 his original
contention that American property shall
not be endangered by the internal dis
sensiols which are now tearing Near
aqua from end 10 end He is described
az maintaining tnat American property
. shah be held safe on sea as well as on
Z land. and that. Il necessary. American
arms must see that this rule Of safety
is enforced
Commander GImeTs Orders.
Commander GiImer-s Instructions. as
they now stand. are broad and give him
the authority 10 fire and fight in an
emergency. but the general impression
in ofhciz circles this afternoon IS that
his original Instructions viii be so am
pLfed as 10 enable him 10 prevent in
rhe future any hazardins of American
maritime property
He may attack the forces about Blue
fields at any time ne considers II neceS-
sary- The force OF blueJackets under
his command. re-enTOrCed by the ships
ill-Ihe harbOr, are believed 10 be suf-
icient TO enforce his orders and 10 meet
any emergency
Mr. knox's announced intention 70
protect American property IN Near
qua all the more endangers the pCsit-Ou
OF the Venus, when IL Is remembered
that she has no authority 70 carry o.
a blockade, OF 10 stop and search yes
sells. Since she is without this author
ity she Is liable 70 being ClaSsed as q
pirate craft
Secretary Knox Commended.
That the Secretarys firm policy o.
protecting American property in the re
gion made dangerous by the lighting Of
the NIadriZ and Estrada forces, is benz
appreciated. is shown by a telegram re-
Ceived at the department today from,
a number Of business men Of New Or
leans They set forth that they own 81
per cent Of the $1,000, 900 invested on the
Atlantic coast Of Nicaragua and thai
they gTeatly appreciate what the De
paTtmenr OF State and the navy have
done 10 insure the protection Of their
investments
No dispatches were received at the
department today giving any news OF
fighting in the neighbOrhOod Of Blue
fields. Mr.. Knox is described as fol-
lowing his policy OF protecting Amer
lean property. while awaiting the es-
tabliShment Of some stable government
by one Of the two factions now al war