New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-01-23
A REBEL GUNBOAT SEIZED
The Tacoma Places a Force on
Board BoniIa'S Hornet.
CEIBA GREATLY EXCITED
Alleged Violation of Neutrality
Laws Causes Action by the
United States.

Celba, Honduras Jan. 90 Via wireless
10 New Orleans).--Great excitement was
caused to-day when it became known
that the United States cruiser Tacoma
had arrested the revolutionary sunboat
Hornet at Trujillo.
The Hornet is detained on instructions
from Washington. because Of alleged
violation Of the neutrality laws.
1t is not known what effect the seizure
of the Hornet will have on General Bo-
nila's operations. Reports have reached
here that for more than week he has
been modifying troops at -Nueva Ar
menia, twenty-eight miles east of here,
on the coast. preparatory to an attack on
Ceiba
Ceiba appears to have more generals,
captains and other minor military Off
GERS than ordinary soldiers, and the gov
eminent has had trouble in cnlisting pri-
vatc soldiers who are loyal Good
trenches have been built on the outskirts
Of Ceiba, and the government officers OK
press confidence in their ability to defend
the town.
New Orleans. Jan. 22.--There Is a wide
divergence Of opinion among Central
Americans here as to the effect which
the seizure Of the revolutionary gun
! boat Hornet will have on the movement
Of Bonilla TO regain the Presidency of
Honduras. All admit that the action of
Commander Davis of the Tacoma is a
serious blow to the insurgents.
A close friend and adviser of Bonilla
said tonight that while the seizure OF
the Hornet would interfere with his
plans, nothing except the actual inter-
vcntion of the United States could now
prevent the defeat of the Davila admin
istratlon.
You will hear Of the fall Of Ceiba
within the next two or three days" he
said, land war will rapidly be pushed
into the interior"
A corporal and twelve marines from
the United States cruiser Marietta are
stationed in the railroad yards at Ceiba,
with instructions TO protect American
life and property and TO prevent any
fighting within the town.
That's only a handful OF men said
the captain Of the steamer Navigator,
which arrived here tonight from Ceiba,
but it is a sufficient force TO carry out
Uncle Sans orders"
II was reported tonight that Secret
Service agents of the State Department
have been here for several days, talking
with members of the Hornets crew. who
returned 10 New Orleans last Monday
from Ruatan. When the men came
back here one Of them said that they
had taken an oath not TO tell where the
Hornet got the guns and ammunition
which were put on board after she sailed
from this port on December %.
Washington, Jan. 22,-The report that
the Hornet General Bonlla's rovolu-
tionary gunboat, which has been promot-
ing his cause along the coast Of Hon
duras, had been boarded by force from
the American gunboat Tacoma was con-
firmed in a wireless dispatch received by
the Navy Department to-day from Com
mandcr Cooper, Of the United States
steamship Marietta, The dispatch mere
" said that it had been found necessary
to place a force on board in order to de-
I tain the Hornet, and added that details
would be reported later
/ The state Department is anXiously
ggs..g
mine its future course of action.
/ The Attorney General is investigating
/ the question whether or not the Hornet
has violated the neutrality Of the United
states, and pending the result OF tina,
inquiry the state Department announced
that the vessel would not be permitted to
commit any actual hostile act against
/ the government Of Honduras.
The action Of Commander Davis Of the
+. Tacoma in boarding the Hornet, it is as
sumed here. was based on an intention
If tine revolutonists to strike telling
blow against the coast Of the little re-
public. The naval officers ia Honduran
waters had received considerable dis
crction in carrying out their instruction.
20 prevent attacks by the Hornet.
The Hornet sailed from New Orleans
ostcnsibiy for Cape Gracias, on the
Northeastern coast of Nicarag qua. 1t has
not been established where the yesse!
received her guns. thus being converted
into am instrument Of war. After Gen
,ral Bonula captured Ruatau Island, of
the coast of Honduras, ho appointed OIL
Gals for the government of the island
/ Then. If IS said, the Hornet was trans
fcrred from her owners to the insur
gents for q consideration Of 81 and d
mortgage on the vessel The Hornet
was Immediately transferred from Amer
lean to Hondurau registry and RAISED
inc Bonduran rag, but the Hondurar
. uapers were issued by the Bouilla APP
rointccs. The validity of those paper.
:. one of the questions which are nov
being examined. officials here generally
REGARD tnem us Irregular.