The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-02-28

loW III lulA plusb dilu az Ahe SAhANH VI
Nicaragua on this side OF the country
are in arms and preparing either to
support President Zelaya or to contrib
ute men for the march OF his enemies
upon the capital. Managua- Fugltlyes
who have reached this city from Leon,
the old capital OF Nicaragua. head
quarters OF the rebels. which is opposed
to the Liberal. or zelaya party on gen.
eral principles. and as n result OF dtf-
ferences OF long standing, chief OF which
is the transfer OF the capital from Leoa
to Managua, say that the Leonists are
in arms to a man. and rapidly organic
ing an army with which 10 advance
upon Managua. They have the advan-
tage OF possessing modern arms and ar
tillery, but the ndherents Of the presi-
dent are not discouraged, especially as
the Granada conservatives, concerning
whose attitude as n body there was
some doubt, declared themselves to-day
in favor OF ZelAya. This means almost
half the battle won, for Mgsaya will un-
doubtedly follow the lead of Granada.
The latter city has more important
commercial interests than any other
city Of Nicaragua. Besides, II Is the
eastern port OF Lake Nicaragua and
the stopping place OF the steamers
which cross the lake to Fort San Carlos,
nt the mouth OF the San Juan river, by
which water way communication with
the Atlantic ocean II maintained, via
San Juan del Sur. better known as
Greytown. near the eastern entrance
to the proposed maritime canal OF Mica
ragua, in which citizens Of the United
States are Interested Thus, with Gra-
NADIA and other smaller cities support
ing him, President Zelaya hopes to
crush the rebellion In due time. The
loss OF Granada would most likely have
turned the tide against the president.
Not Lukswarin support.
Then again, the support OF the con-
servatlves OF Granada, who are in the
majority by long odds. Is not luke-warm'
support, They telegraphed to the presi-
dent to-day Offering him the sum Of
Sf,OoS,O 900 with which TO equip the troops
being hurriedly enrolled to defend the
capital against the Leonists and their
clerical supporters. The offer was
promptly accepted. In addition, the
government can now not only withdraw
the regular troops from Granada, but
In addition a strong corps OF volunteers
Is being raised there to support the
president, and its advance guard VIII
shortly leave Granada for this city,
where every preparation possible for
defense has been made. The military
authorities here are working night and
day, and the populace Is wild with war
like enthusiasm. The military band,
which on certain nights in the week
plays In front OF the presidents palace,
now plays there nightly, and all the
patriotic airs are loudly applauded by
the crowds which gather about the ex-
ecutive mansion. Last night the presi-
dent was compelled 10 appear three or
four times In answer to the demands
OF his admiring supporters.
Three thousand men and twenty
pieces OF artillery are already mustered
here, but the men are armed with old
Remington rifles, the supply of cart
ridges Is limited and the ammunition is
bad. Out OF ten cartridges tried by an
officer this morning, only four exploded.
However, this Is the ammunition which
has been handled about the different
guard houses and the boxes OF cart
ridges from the arsenal are believed TO
be OF much better quality. Incidentally
II may be added the soldiers OF Nicurn-
qua 20 barefoOted, are dressed In Jean
jumpons and pants, and n straw hat,
rife, bayonet and cartridge belt COM
pletes their equipment. Consequently
the expense OF putting few thousand
men in the field Is not very great. so
long Us the government can obtain
arms. A few beans and plantain
make n good meal for soldiers In this
country, and they will undertake the
LONG marches without shoes on their
feet, on this diet and fight fairly well
into the bargain.
WIN Not Await Attack.
The presidents army, It has been de-
termined. will not walt here to be at-
tackled. SO soon as all the necessary
arrangements are made the govern
ment force will advance upon Leon and
try 10 capture that city before the Leon
lists reosive the rclnforrements they ex-
pect from Chinandega aud other
places north. This step Is especially
advisable, as 1t Ia well known that the
LeoDlsts are expecting men and arms
from the clerical party Of Honduras,
In short II looks like struggle between
clerfcailsm and liberalism which may
involve other Central American rcpub-
lies besides Nicaragua.
From present Indications, President
Zelaya Will lead his army In person
against the rcbelB,
About this time last year the govern
mont Of Honduras obtained possession
OF documents showing that q plot cx-
listed to replace Carlos Ezcth In power
in Salvador, and Ortiz in Nicaragua.
There was TO be simultaneous move
mcnt OF clerIcnIs IN the three republics.
Il being Judged that such step would
prevent the three governments from
helping each other.
General ortiz waR then fugitive In
Guntmnla; but when the matter was In
yeStignted by the Eicnrngunn govern
ment the facts stated were found TO be
Correct and a quantity of arms md
ammunition intended for the conspira-
tors were found concealed In Il ware
house ut COrintO.
There II also runior that Costa Rlcu
may take advantage Of the rebellion to
setito some old qunrre1s which have cS-
Is,ted for many years between that re-
public aud Nicaragua regarding prin-
cIpnIly the route Of the Nicaragua canal
and the rights Of Costa Rlcn under the
conversations granted 10 the American
company.
In any case. the situation is n most
critical one not only for Nlcnrngun but
FOR nil the Central American republics
and the presence of United Stntea war
Ehlps on the coasts would do great
dOal OF good and could certainly do no
! harm.