Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10
AND
j. S. IN CLASH,
MARINES LAND
Order of Honduran Govern
ment Taking Possession
of American Syndicate's
Property Prompts Action

Puerto Cortez, Honduras, Feb T.
| delayed in transit)-There has been
clash between United States and
Honduran authorities over the en-
forcement of a government decree di
recting representatives Of w. S. Valen.
tine to surrender to the government
authorities the railroad, wharf and
other properties held under lease by
the Valentine syndicate.
Seventy-fve marines from the
United States gunboat Petrol landed
and seized the wharf and railroad.
Honduran troops were then ordered to
stop all trains. The government has
filed protest. ,s..E
The population here was greatly in
censed at the landing of the marines
Acting on the authority of congress
which declared the Valentine contract
Cancelled. President Honilla ordered
THAT civil proceedings be brought
against w. s. Valentine OF New York,
ordered delivery to the government
of the railroad and wharf and demand
ed an accounting for alleged damages
sustained by the government.
Marines Guard Property.
The decree was served on A. &.
Greedy, local manager of the Valen-
tine syndicate, who asked time to
communicate with Mr.. Valentine. This
request was refused. Greedy appealed
to the American consul, who asked
the cooperation of the commander OF
the gunboat Petrol, now In the harbor.
The commander of the Petrol re-
Quested that the enforcement of the
decree be delayed twenty-four hours
until the American consul could com.
municate with the state department.
The government also refused this re-
quest and demanded that the railroad
and wharf be turned over to him by
8 o'clock this morning. The command
er of the Petrol then landed seventy.
five marines and placed them on the
wharf and at the railroad office.
Fruit Trains Stopped.
The British, German, Mexican Dan
ish and Norwegian consuls were
summoned and through them the gov
ernment protested, to the American
consul and the Petrels commander
against the landing of marines.
President Bonilla was informed of
the turn Of events and he ordered that
detac achments of armed troops be i'm
mediately placed at La Guna, one
mile south, and Chameleon, twenty
miles south of Puerto Cortez, with in
structions to stop all trains. When
this order was given number Of ban
ana trains were out and its inforce.
ment meant that several ships, in the
harbor would not be able to get car
goes.
Up to the hour Of sending this dis
patch (Feb. y the commander Of the
Petrol had received no instructions
from Washington and was contemplate
ing withdrawing the marines.
Honduran Congress Acts.
Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Feb. 9.-The
congress of Honduras has decided that
all contracts made with the American,
w. S. Valentine. in connection with
the Purto Cortez railroad wharf and
lighthouse are cancelled. The congress
directs the president of the republic to
take possession of all the property i'm
mediately on behalf of the government.
U. s. Watches Situation.
Washington, D. c., Feb. 9.-The
SLdLc uGpdILulSuL Is "dICIluS ucVSkOp-
ments in the dispute between the
Honduran government and representa-
tives of the Valentine syndicate.
Recently the department learned
tina. without notice to this governm ent
the Honduran officials were about to
seize the Valentine syndicate proper
ties. The gunboat Petrol was sent to
Puerto Cortez and sailors were landed.
The property was not seized The only
purpose of landing the blue Jackets
was to guard against violence. The
question of title to the property in
dispute is to be settled through judi
cial and diplomatic methods.
An arrangement for the adjustment
Of the dispute between the concession
aries and Honduran government was
provided for in contract held by the
Morgan syndicate, but this has just
been abandoned and the issue w.
mains open.