Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-18
COMMERCE IS THREATENED
International Complications Are
Probable As Result.
UNITED STATES MAY APPEAL
Rival Customs Houses at Bluefields.
Norway to Be Asked to
Reconsider Action.

Nlcaraguan AFFAIR are now threatened in
new quarter. Although the United
states, the country with the greatest in
terests at stake. does not recognize the
government Of Madriz. several other coun-
tries. including Germany, France Austria.
Switzerland and Norway. have done So
That has been the status OF the case for
many weeks, and has not materially az
fected the general situation.
The Norwegian government, however
mas recognized Madriz, in effect, which
seriously threatens the commerce of the
eastern cost OF Nicaragua and is re-
garded as a severe blow to the Estrada
forces in that quarter. The port of Blue
fields Is in the hands OF the Estradists
and is the base of operations OF the
United States fleet. The Madrz army Is
in control OF Bluefieids Bluff, where the
custom house formerly was located. That
point Of land extends out into the har-
Dor and the guns mounted there by Gen
Irias of the Madriz army command the
entrance to Bluefelds
Irias Declares Blockade.
Soon after the capture Of the blum
Gen. Irias declared a blockade against
Bluefields and directed that customs dues
and fees should be paid to his agents at
the bluff. Then the Estrada people
opened a new custom house in Bluefields
proper and each side endeavored to get
all the revenues resulting from the COM
merce of the port.
The United States government held
that the mere change of the location of
the custom house did not affect the com.
mercial aspect of the situation and mott
fled Gen. lrias that his alleged blockade
would not be allowed as against vessels
and cargoes of the United States. In
fact the American naval commander
notified the Madriz general that if he at
tempted to interfere with an American
vessel the United States warships would
lombard the bluff. Gen. Irias, il is said,
has faithfully respected the notice. No
other government paid any special at
tention to the situation at Bluefields until
the Norwegian government recognized
the Madriz blockade, which occurred
few days ago.
Consuls All Notified
All the Norwegian consuls in the United
States have been informed of that action.
Warning is given that the government
has withdrawn its protection from ves-
sells entering Bluefields and they will do
SO at their own risk.
By this degree the Madriz converted
man-o-war, the Venus, may seize any
Norwegian vessel trying to enter into
Bluefields in defiance of the Madriz de-
cree of blockade, and Norway will make
no objection to ii. This action Is rem
dered all the more serious by the fact
that all the vessels running from New
Orleans and Mobile to Bluefields fly the
Norwegian flag. The steamship lmple-
ates, loaded with provisions Tor that
port, is now being detained there until
that problem can be solved. kilograms
have been sent to the Norwegian min
lister in Washington trying to arrange
matters satisfactorily.
Bluefields and the Estrada coast OF Mica
ragua.. being cut of from the interior by
the Madriz armies, are entirely depend.
ent on this country for food, and the
revolutionary army. will soon be starv-
ing if cut off from New Orleans, Its base
of supplies.
Protection by Ruse.
Up to this time two American sailors
have been taken on vessels going to Blue
fields, their presence preventing the Mad
riz forces on the bluff from firing on the
vessel, unless willing to run the risk OF
war with Uncle Sam.
The action Of Norway is probably due
to the danger 1t sees of becoming In
volyed in the Central American troubles.
Some time ago the revolutionary forces
seized a Norwegian vessel. the Marietta
or Georgia, and used her as transport
for two weeks.
Norway, being unwilling to be drawn
into this controversy, has ordered all her
vessels from this dangerous complication.
Several of the Norwegian captains, how.
ever, have announced their willingness -
run the blockade to Bluefelds
State Department Silent.
The officials of the State Department
decline to discuss the latest development.
1t is intimated, however, that the Nor
wegian government may be asked to re-
consider its action on condition that the
United States protect its vessels in Mo-
aragua.