New-York tribune., 1911-02-19
GEN. BON|LLA INDICTED
r.deraI Charges Against Four in
Hornet Case.
or1uRNED AT NEW ORLEANS
,.rsrnment Expects to Clear Up
Mooted Question as to Neu-
trality Jurisdiction.

trality Jurisdiction.
o-,eans Feb ls-Indictments were
today by the United States grand
rt'uu ~,inst Manuel Bonilla, leader Of the
TE E.,o,arv forces in Honduras: Lee
re'"'". his chief lieutenant; Joseph W,
rspd Florian Davids. in connection with
aueged flbustering expedition on the
.I, ~. which sailed from this port last
,,d,ctment charges that the men con-
% have the Hornet cleared for Cape
ST.. hut diverted the vessel to Ship
GA ~ the coast Of Mississippi, where
laAA ,,a,destinely took aboard rifles. ma
W. Guns and ammunition, boarded the
'n' themselves and sailed for Three
" ,esr port Barrios. where other arms
we're taken aboard and two boats
~ ~ tow for the island of Rotany; that
.u,srv force they captured this island,
,or, Of the Honduran domain, all OF which
'tE-.,,,,ted q violation Of the criminal stat
,ss of this country.
-n,s.rict Attorney Beatty Immediately
- the court to issue capiases for the in
s.,.s men. and Il is said the recognized
s,,-as government will be asked TO
D. -acuisition for the return - this coun-
=, the revolutionary leader.
ronowing the indictment Of the Hornet
report gained currency here that
:, ,raependent investigation Of the Hornet
'+,sdi,ion made by the State Department
.v.shington disclosed that both Guate-
a.. and Nicaragua had actively aided the
,.1n,a revolution, in violation Of the
washington agreement.
ur Beer. well known New Orleans mer-
.,ar, was placed under $1,000 bonds to-
-. General Bonilla, General Christmas
- COLONEL pav,ds are in Honduras with
=. -lyolptionarv army. II is believed the
'-s,.,rsrts will have an important bearing
r,or the peace negotiations between the
o,,,ua ana payila forces in Honduras
.,lcb are scheduled 70 begin at Puerto Cor
=. an Monday Bonilla, who is at Ceiba,
-. warned Yesterday by cable not TO go
.No.rd an American vessel His close
.-,.,ss and svnpathizers to-day openly as
,.r,.d that the attitude of this government
=. Indicated by to-day's action in the Hor-
., ,sse would force Bonilla 70 decline 70
,.,,,,insts in the negotiations for peace and
,ress his fight in Honduras with arms.
aTbe state Department at Washington
hss been cogniz3nt Of all the details Of the
Hornet expedition for weeks" said an ad-
bs-.,t Of General Bonilla. and the return
,,s N the indictments against General Bo-
,ina and The others on the eve OF the
o,spne Of the peace negotiations was TO
siys this government a club 20 hold over the
Y%..,, Ifra,f d
Is back OF il all
Washington, FEB lS-The indictments of
the four persons named as concerned in the
ttting out Of the Hornet last November
FOR operations against the Daviia govern
nent in Honduras are the outcome Of
many weeks Of patient investigation by
four departments Of the government-the
State, the Navy. the Treasury and the De-
prtment Of Justice
Tie state Department first had its at
tention attracted TO the Hornet by DR.. Luis
Lszo, ths Minister from Honduras in this
capital He asserted that the little vessel,
which was formerly a United States gun
boat had been purchased for the purpose
ot Transforming her into fllibustering
ship. The Navy Department had removed
the small battery OF guns from the Hor-
net before thu, vessel was sold. and there
vas no sign that the persons who pur-
ctasei the craft and took her from Nor
fox t) New Orleans intended 20 install an
cther battery
BIT The Sta'e Department called the at
aatol Of the Department OF Justice TO
icers. the agents Of that department main
tned the closest possible watch upon her
untl she cleared from New Orleans for
cape Gracias. Nicaragua, without discov-
eFing any arms or munitions OF war or a
suhcent crew 70 make up a hostile expedi-
aon' in the sense Of the neutrality law
Dr.. Lazo's Suspicious Verified.
The suspicious OF DT. Lazo were justified.
h'Teyer. when the Hornet appeared at
l'ulillo and assisted in the capture Of that
Nrt from President Davila's forces. Then
tie Navy Department began an investiga-
uon 10 learn how the Hornet had become
@nVerteo into q warship, taking the pre-
s3ucn hrst 70 seize the vessel 10 restrain
Asr from further activity The informa-
MADE this investigation. together with the
reports Of the Secret Service agents and
customs officers were laid before the grand
laIy az New Orleans and formed the basis
me indictments returned to-day. /
me charges are believed 10 be that the
N;s'ns indicted ccnspired 10 violate the
aeaiFality laws by purchasing the Hornet
ara dispatching her 10 Central America
e used as part OF an armed expedition
oFseted against the government Of Presi- !
Cent pavila.
" Is not alleged that the vessel actually
o~'Tied ar armed expedition from Amerl- |
an territory. which constitutes a peculiar
.esiare In this case The nearest prece-
oeh' Is believed 70 be found in the famous
"aia case, when United States govern !
'nent pursued into Chilian waters and
's'1eo and returned TO California for trial
]s l'sta and her crew, which had been
yNeAassd 70 assist in the insurrection |
.saAs' tie Balmaceda government cf
0N-l nineteen years ago.
Guatemaan Reports.
Likewise various reports were received !
y'.Ihe State Department 70 the effect that /
-sHornet had procured some Of her arms
T-s 0uaJemalen port. In addition 10 the
N'on OF the neutrality OF Guatemala, /
a. .'s fomors concerning the Hornet had a /
eT Gearing upon the investigation into /
e question Of the alleged abuse OF the /
.ushiy Of the United states. Accord |
-sN the American gunboat Tacoma vas
c1 Guy 10 Livingston and Prerto Barrios, !
- s@es''ehala 10 investigate the reports. The |
y. lungs OF the Tacoma were not made pub /
resident Cabrera Of Guatemala re- /
.yt'Seciy assured the department, however !
ne was making strenuous effort TO |
49,, .As' his country Observed a neutral at |
IN Uhs Ct the Washington conventions Of
W. signed by the hve Central American