815.00/3998: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Ceiba (Evans) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 29—12:17 p.m.]
I have the honor to report that in the early morning following the midnight revolt of the Ceiba garrison October 26th I was begged by the Governor of this Department, who was the only existing authority at Ceiba, to lend good offices and aid him to save the city from fire and bloodshed. Subsequently the Governor offered Duron, the leader of the revolted garrison, guarantees for his life if he prevailed upon his men to disperse and disarm and turn over Ceiba to the authorities. Duron accepted upon the condition that I would take him into my personal custody pending receipt of instructions from the President of Honduras concerning his disposition. Duron remained in my personal custody and yesterday both the Governor and the commandant requested and authorized me to retain Duron in my private apartment until the President of Honduras could reply to radiogram sent to him last evening by the Governor explaining the arrangement the Governor had made with Duron and requesting President to make good the guarantee of Duron’s life. No reply was received but this afternoon about 4 o’clock the mayor de plaza lined approximately 100 soldiers in the street in front of the consulate while others surrounded on all sides and from outside veranda door of the consulate. He demanded that Duron be delivered to him but without showing any order from the President or other authority but stating that he acted upon his own account as mayor de plaza. In view of the presence of armed forces on the open veranda before the consulate I told Duron to leave his room and give himself up to the soldiers whereat excusing himself a minute he shot himself in the head and was carried out on veranda and subsequently died. Mayor de plaza was extremely insolent and exhibited no authorization to demand person placed in my custody by the Governor. Show of force in front of the consulate was excessive and evidently designed to be publicly insulting to our Government. Two shots were fired at the consulate. I have the [Page 436] honor to request that a naval vessel be despatched with the utmost urgency to Ceiba to protect American citizens and to obtain satisfaction for this studied and flagrant affront to the United States Government. If this grave incident passes without strong measures being taken, American prestige and interests in Honduras must inevitably suffer and this consulate lose its ability to lend good offices with a view to protect American lives and property in the constantly recurring armed outbreaks in Ceiba.
Repeated to Legation at Tegucigalpa.