Evening star., 1925-04-21
HONDURAS TROUBLE
NOT FEARED HERE
Officials Believe Landing
Party in Ceiba Has Sit
uation in Hand.

The American Government appears
to regard with confidence the present
situation of American property and
lives in Honduras, for whose protec
ton a detachment of 165 officers and
men were landed yesterday at Ceioa
by the cruiser Denver.
In the absence of additional reports
as to the revolutionary situation about
Ceiba, officials here believe the land
ing force is discharging its function
without difficulty. Any incident OF
Importance undoubtedly would be
reported Immediately to Washington
Taken as Percaution.
The request for the landing force,
made by Consul Waller, was pre-
cautionary measure to prevent recur'
renee of the situation which de-
veloped from revolutionary disorders
In Ceiba a year ago.
Washington's policy will be to keep
the detachment from the Denver in
Ceiba so long as there is any pos
sible need of protection to American
interests.
Advices so far received from Amer
lean agents in Honduras have failed
to mention the capture of Ocotepec
and the advance of rebels toward
Comayagua, near Tegucigalpa, CAPT
tai of Honduras, as reported by Mica
raguan sources.
Trace Ferrera Movements.
Intelligence reports received by the
Washington Government within the
last "a hours, however, said that Gen.
Ferrera was believed to be in Guate-
mala. In the event these reports prove
correct, officials here who are IA
miliar with Gen. Ferrera's s tactics said
they believed he was in Guatemala
waiting only until he was assured that
the revolution had been successfully
started and expanded to proportions
where his personal command was re-
quired. When that moment arrives,
If 1t does, officials said, the general un-
queStlonably would re-enter Honduras
and move energetically to overthrow
the Tegucigalpa government.
Meanwhile, however, the forces of
the government presumably will be
mobll1zed in an attempt to crush the
reVolutionistS before their movement
mas had time to spread throughout
the country. The situation in which
the Tegucigalpa authorities find them.
selves at present is said to verge on
the critical. They have been IN Office
less than three months and, despite
progress made in stabilizing govern.
ment and restoring peace, broken for
the past several years by domestic
violence and civil war, it is fel, here
that the new government still is un.
prepared for another armed struggle
with revolutionists.
Can Purchase Arms.
The friendly attitude of the Wash.
ington administration to that headed
by President Barahona, marked by
the restoration of diplomatic relations
between the two governments when
he assumed office in February, un.
doubtedly will be helpful in IN indi.
rect but more or less effective way
TO the Tegucigalpa authorities. They
also have the advantage of being able
TO purchase arms and munitions from
the military supplies of the United
states, while the revolutionists are
prohibited under a proclamation is
sued by President Coolidge in March,
1924, from buying war materials in
the United States, except by Derrnis-
sion OF the Washington Government
The War Department, acting with
the approval of the State Department.
recently delivered to agents of the
Honduran government 5000 Russian
military rifles obtained during the war
20 machine guns and 1000, 900 rounds
or small arms ammunition. Ifthe ship
ment went forward without delay it
should be available by now to the
government troops in Honduras
Presence of Navy Craft.
The presence of American naval
craft along the Honduran coast, with
the landing detachment in Ceiba and
others readily accessible should
further need arise for the protection
of foreign lives and property from
reVolutionists, is regarded as another
factor which can be viewed with sat
lsfaction by the Honduran authorities.
Ceiba is port we'll known to the
officers and men of the cruiser Denver.
They have been on duty there several
times before and for reasons similar
to those which led to the landing to-
day. Consul Waller also is experienced
In revolutionary affairs. 1t was he
who obtained protection of the Den.
Ver's men for the foreign colony in
Ceiba, when it was threatened by revo-
Iutionists in March, 1924, and had to
be confined in the compound under
armed protection of the America n
sailors.
AT that time an American citizen
was killed by revolutionists in Ceiba
bTlllsn SUBJECT was shot and Seri-
ously wounded, and two other for.
elgners in the compound also suffered
Injury. Consul Waller Is believed TO
have acted in the present situation.
however, more quickly than he did a
year ago, and the landing of the de-
tachment yesterday apparently was
erected before the revolutionists had
caused trouble of any consequence.
Under conditions prevailing now in
Celoa, 1t probably will not be neces-
sary 1or the foreigners to seek refuge
in the compound. Officers in charge of
the landing party presumably will es.
tabllsh at once a neutral zone in which
the Foreign colony will be able to live
in safety and, unless the situation be.
comes more dangerous than officials
here expect, they will be able to con-
tinue their normal pursuits without
molestation.