Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-02-28

OF 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 capitol Managua Fugitives
who have reached this city from Leon,
the Old capitol of Nicaragua, headquar-
ters of the rebels, which is opposed
to the Liberal or Zelaya party on gem
eral principles and as a result OF differ
ences OF long standing, chief OF which
is the transfer of the capitol from Leon
to MaEagua, says that Le0nists are in
arms 10 a man and rapidly organizing
an army with which to advance upon
Managua. They have the advantage OF
possessing more modern arms and ar
tillery. but the adherents of the presi-
dent are not discouraged, especially as
the Granada conservatives concerning
whose attitude as a body there was
some doubt. declared themselves today
in favor of Zelaya. This means almost
half the battle won for Masaya will
undoubtedly follow the lead of Gran
ada. The latter city has more impor-
tant commercial interests than any
other city Of Nicaragua. Besides, 1t is
in the eastern port Of Lake Nicaragua
and the stopping place Of the steam
ers which cross the lake to Fort san
Carlos. at the mouth OF the San Juan
river. by which waterway communlca-
ton with the Atlantic ocean is main
tained. via. San Juan del Sur, better
known as GreytoWn, near the eastern
entrance to the proposed maritime
canal Of Nicaragua, in which citizens OF
the United States are interested. Thus,
with Granada and other smaller cities
supporting him,
PRESIDENT ZELAYA HOPES
TO crush the rebellion in due time.
The loss of Granada would most like
" have turned the tide against the
president.
Then again. the support OF tie con-
servatives Of Granada, who are in the
majority by loug odds, is not lukewarm
support They telegraphed TO the
President to-day Offering him the sum
of 81 OCO 600 with which TO equip the
troops being hurriedly enrolled to de-
fend the capitol against the Leonists
and their clerical supporters. The Of
fer was promptly accepted. In addl-
ton. the government can now not only
withdraw the regular troops from Gran
ada. but i'm addition a strong corps OF
volunteers is being raised there to sup
port the President and its advance
guard will shortly leave Granada for
this city. where every preparation pos
sible for defense has been made. The
military authorities here are working
night and day and the populace is wild
with warlike enthusiasm. The mill
tary band which, on certain nights, in
the week. plays in front Of the Presi-
dents palace, now plays there nightly,
and all the patriotic airs are loudly ap-
plauded by the crowds which gather
about he executive mansion. Last
night the President was compelled 70
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 eX-
plOded. However. this is the amuni-
ton which has been handled about the
different guard houses and the boxes Of
cartridges from the arsenal are believed
to be of much better quality. Incident
ally it may be added the soldiers of Mic
aragua
GO BAREFOOTED.
are dressed in jeans jumpers and pants,
and a straw hat, rifle, bayonet and
cartridge belt completes their equip
ment Consequently, the expense of
putting a few thousand men in the field
is not very great, 90 long as the gov
ernment can obtain arms. The cost of
feeding a Nicaraguan army is also very
light. A few beans and a plantain
make a 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.
The Presidents army, IL has been de-
termined, viii not wait here to be at
tackled. So soon as all the necessary
arrangements are made the govern
ment force Will advance upon Leon and
try to capture that city before the
Leonists receive the reinforcements
thy expect from Chinandega and other
places north. This step is especially
advisable. as il is well known that the
LeOnists are expecting men and arms
from the clerical party OF Honduras.
In short it looks very much like a strug-
gle between clericalism and liberalism
which may involve other Central Amer
lean republics besides Nicaragua.
From present indications President
Zelaya viii lead his army In person
against the rebels.
About this time last year the govern
ment of Honduras obtained possession
of documents showing that a plot ex-
listed to replace Carlos Ezeta in power
in Salvador and Ortiz in Nicaragua.
There was to be a simultaneous move
ment Of clericals in the three republics.
If being judged that such a step would
prevent the three governments
FROM HELPING EACH OTHER.
Gen Ortiz was then a fugitive in
Guatemala. but when the matter was
investigated by the Nicaraguan gov
ernment the facts stated We're found 70
be correct. and a quantity Of arms and
ammunition intended for the cOnspir-
ators were found concealed in a ware
house at CorintO.
There is also a rUmor that Costa Rica
may take advantage of the rebellion
to settle some old quarrels which have
nvigted for wears ma II hetuan that ra