Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-25
ULTIMATUM UNCONFIRMED.
Officials Believe Latimer Has Acted In
Crisis, However.

No official confirmation had been an
nounced here today at either the State
or Navy Department of reports that
Juan B. Sacasa, leader of the Liberal
faction in Nicaragua, who claims the
presidency OF the republic, together
with his cabinet and army, had been
ordered by American naval author
tiles to evacuate Puerto Cabezas. his
headquarters, by 4 o'clock this after
noon.
Information of the, reputed order
was contained In a message received
here last night by DIR. r. s. Vaca,
Washington representative Of the
Sacasa Liberal faction. from ROdolfo
Espinosa, minister of foreign affairs
In Sacasa's cabinet, Vaca announced.
While the Washington Government
had no direct advices early today
that American bluejackets had been
landed at Puerto Cabezas, there
was little doubt that message to
that effect received by DIR. Vaca last
night was accurate.
Action Indicated by Latimer.
A radiogram from Rear Admiral
Latimer to the Navy Department*in
dicated that he intended to land a
force for the protection of American
lives and property, and 1t was as
sumed at the State Department. In
the absence of further advices, that
he carried out his purpose.
State Department officials were eX
pecting to receive confirmation of the
demand said to have been made or
EacaSa to evacuate Puerto Cabezas
In the absence of this confirmation
however. they declined to comment
on this phase of the situation.
The An1af-iran tl1ilf
hardwood lumber center, known a.
Braggmans Bluff, is close to Puertt
CabezaS and it was assumed here to
day that any evacuation order prob
ably had arisen from the occupation
by SacaSa and his. adherentS of Amer
ican buildings in Braggmans Bluff.
If Admiral Latimer was forced by
this situation, 1t was suggested. h,
undoubtedly would demand that tn,
Liberal factions leader remove hi,
headquarters to insure protection TO
American lives and property by es
tablishing a neutral zone under tn,
guard Of American bluejackets.
Sacasa Residence Searched.
The telegram to Dr. Vaca said tha
American marines from the cruiser:
Cleveland and Denver had landed a
Puerto CabeZas and had searched thu
executive residence of DIR. Sacasa.
after which he and his cabinet were
ordered to evacuate the headquarters
by o'clock this afternoon.
A protest against the landing o.
American forces was made in tht
telegram by Espinosa, who declared
that this abuse of force against g
small and weak but dignified country
has been made without motive OF
justification because in no way
American lives and property are en-.
dangered."
Dr. Vaca, in the meantime, reiter
ated this protest. He described the
landing of American Marines at Rio
Grande in a statement, denouncing il
as "a distinct effort to interfere with
the military operations of the con
stitutional army. which is about t,
capture the DiaZ forces near the
Pearl Lagoon
Declaring the dispute regarding the
payment of duties by American lum
Der exporters to the Sacasa force:
had been satisfactorily arranged
with the approval of the American
naval authorities" and that the con
stitutional government is taking
pains to protect the rights of foreign
ers and natives and to maintain stl1c
order" DIR. Vaca said there was "nt
bppoACHb lcI AhS CINhlNi
ties of the American destroyers ant
Marines" in the Sacasa zone.
Diaz Representative Coming.
Arrival in Washington next mont
of DIR. Alexandra Cesar as ministe
or personal representative Of Pres
dent Diaz pi obably will bring sharpl
TO the front the question of steps t
assist the Managua government t
maintain itself against the Liberal fax
ton.
Repeated statements by Presiden
Diaz, emphasizing the charge tina
the Liberals are being furnished wit
arms and ammunition and even mil
tary personnel from Mexico. make
virtually certain that DIR. Cesar on hi
arrival in Washington will ask tina
American Warships in Nicaragua
waters be directed to establish
blockade against this arms traffl'
The fact that the Mexico City govern
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