Castro In Conquest Plot?

New York Times 100 years ago today, February 24, 1913:
Said to be in League with Zelaya to Invade Central America.
Special to The New York Times.
    MOBILE, Ala., Feb. 23.— Cipriano Castro, former President of Venezuela, and Jesus Santos Zelaya, deposed President of Nicaragua, are said to be the backbone of a plan for overcoming Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, and merging these countries, with San Salvador, into a Central American federation. The assassination of their Chief Executives, except Salvador's, is believed to be a part of the plan.
    Juan Leets, a Russian, and an intimate friend of Zelaya, is said to be the leader of a projected revolutionary expedition which is expected to sail from some American port for the Honduran coast in the course of a few days. Machine guns and ammunition are reported to have been shipped from this country and stored at Abaco, in the West Indies, awaiting final preparations by the revolutionists for the descent upon Central America. The munitions of war at Abaco are said to have been carried there by the steamship Bodo, which got away from Jacksonville after one cargo had been ordered to be disembarked by Federal officials.
    Juan Leets is to land his expedition on the coast of Honduras, then attack Nicaragua. Hundreds of discontented Hondurans, now in Salvador, are expected to march on Honduras and overthrow the Bonita Government, after which the combined forces aim to subjugate Guatemala. This would give them control of Central America. Salvador, it is understood, is even now practically committed to Zelaya.
    The steamer Manteo, recently plying between Mobile and Florida ports, is reported to have steam up and to be ready to proceed to sea from a Florida port, under orders to pick up arms from an island in the Gulf.
    The Government of Honduras is prepared for the invasion. The gunboat General Barrahona is fully manned, and the land forces, under Gen. Le Christmas, are equipped with heavy cannon and field guns.
    Cipriano Castro is said to have arranged the plot with Zelaya, the latter being an exile in Europe, when they met in Paris. It is believed that the former Venezuelan President will meet agents of Zelaya and Leets. Col. Drew Linard, member of the staff of President Bonita and Consul here, says that he expects Zelaya to strike the blow in thirty days.