Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-24
State Department Asks for Basis Of
Apprehension of Danger.
lARcH ON MANAGUA NEXT
Believed Estrada Will Begin Move
ment to Take Capital.
SORROW TEMpERs THE ELATION
BluefleIds Hospitals Filled with
wounded and Navy Surgeons
Are kept Busy-war on
Madriz Government.

WARRINGTON, Dec. 23.-secretary Knox
has given formal notice to President Mad
riz OF Nicaragua that the United States
government viii hold him strictly account
able for the safety OF american citizens
In the western section of that country.
Instructions TO this effect were sent TO
the United states consul at ldanagua, with
directions to Immediately inform the Mana
guam authorities of tile attitude Of this
government, and the consul was also dl-
rected to report what basis there was for
apprehension OF trouble on the part of the
American residents in that part Of the
country, and especially at Granada.
A telegram was received at the State
Department today from Admiral Kimball,
In command of the United States war ves-
sells now In Corinto harbor, stating that
the commandant Of the port of Corinto had
made call on board his flagship, but that
the commandant was not saluted. Admiral
Kimball also noted the arrival in that
harbor Of the Mexican gunboat General
Guerrero.
The State Department is in something CT
a quandary as to what has become of the
small army, approximating 1000 men, be-
longing to the government forces, which
at last accounts held possession of Grey
recently commanded by General Toledo
who lately was reported as having arrived
at Managua The report received yester-
day from Captain Shipley OF the Des
&oines at Bluefelds stated that the de-
Feat and surrender of the Zelayan forces
at Rama disposes of practically all armed
resistance to Estrada on the east coast
whether the Greytown contingent had pre-
viously Joined the Zelayan forces at Rama
is in doubt. If not, 1t is assumed that an
other engagement at or near Greytown
may be expected before Estrada's army
takes up its march for Managua.
See Victory for Estrada.
Messages received at the State depart
ment today Indicate condition of excite
ment Throughout the western portion of
Nicaragua zelaya seems to have assumed
direction of the military operations in that
part of the state and in consequence a
stubborn resistance to the expected ad-
vance OF tho revolutionary army is looked
for.
Riots are reported at Masaya and Gran
ada, where the people have come in col
lision with the military forces. American
citizens at Granada are again calling for
protection, but so far as can be learned
the only provision so far made for them
IS the announcement that refugees con-
sldering themselves in danger will be re-
celved on board the American warshIps In
Corlnto harbor.
The marines recently landed from the
troOpship Prairie have been sent from
Colon TO Base Obispo, a station on the
isthmian railroad about half way to Pam
anna. This action has been taken with a
view 10 the marines being within easy
call In case 1t is found necessary to send
them to Cornto.
Officials here regard the recent over
whelIning victory OF the revolutionary
army at Rama as the beginning Of the end
of zelaya, Madriz and their faction as po-
tentiel forces In Nicaragua The feeling
here is general that the conquest of the
western half Of the country win be far
more easily accomplished than was the
eastern and that within a month at the
farthest 1t is believed General Estrada will
: be president OF Nicaragua.
WIN March on Managua.
BLUEFIELDS, Nicaragua, Dec. %
General Estrada, 1t is said today, will Inn
mediately assume the offensive against the
government of President Madriz The in
surgent leader holds that the Zelaya ele-
ment was removed from consideration by
the sweeping battle Of Rama. The march
on Managua rs believed to be imminent.
The prisoners captured at Rama have
been well fed and all who now espouse
the cause OF Estrada will be armed and
enrolled In the ranks of the insurgents.
The details OF Estrada's further cam
paign are not made known, but II is
understood his movement on Managua will
be by way Of Greytown, which he expects
to fall with little show Of resistance. The
various groups of the enemy in the vicin-
ity OF San Juan river, will be wiped out
and the path to the Nicaraguan capital
made along Lake Nicaragua.
The exact number OF dead, injured and
captured in the two days fighting near
Rama either Is not determined or the
facts are withheld
Today Bluefields realizes what reak war
means. The wounded fiji the hospitals and
dead lie In many homes Funerals are
being held In great numbers. Insurgsnt ella
ton over the triumph that has placed
Estrada In unquestioned possession OF
Rama, Recreo and the strategic point OF
Tatumbla Hin, as wel as the adjacent
territory heretofore disputed is tempered
by the sorrow OF grlef-stricken homes.
There is less OF noisy rejoicing at the
capital OF the provisional government, but
the grim determination TO overthrow the
government OF Managua has been strength
sRed by the sacrifices Of the last two
days.
Generals Chamorro, Diaz and Matuty are
popular heroes today.
The American surgeons from the cruiser
Des Moines are giving splendid service In
the care OF the wounded.
Marines stiii ON Prairie.
COLON. Dec. 2a-rhe marines are stln
on board tbs United States auxiliary
cruiser Prairie, awaiting further orders
Foarteen Men Missing.
SEATTLE, Dec. ss.-Mystery wells the