The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-22


 PLATED BY HIS COMPLETE
 VICTORY. PREPARING TO AD-
 VANCE ON NIANAGUA. CBy William A DeveraIl. Stan Cor respondent of the United Press. Bluefields, Nicaragua, (Via wireless to Colon). Dec. 22.-The army under General Estrada has won a sweeping victory near Rama and the entire loy- al army, formerly commanded by Gen , eral VasQnez, has surrendered with all of their stores, after being defeated ali along the line by Estrada's army. The wounded and prisoners are being sent here while Estrada. and his men are preparing for an immediate ad- vai.ce on Managua-
 Among the captives are two of the Zelayan generals. 1900 men, field pieces and many rifles and ammuni- ton. The killed and wounded exceed eco.
 l. There is great rejoicing here and 1t Is believed that the end of the sue . cessful revolution Is already in sight Surgeons from the United States war ships are caring for the wounded
 Last nights fight was nearly gen. eral engagement and for three hours tn , two armies were engaged General Luis Mena, who was In command, when he received word that tine re- 
 t0ry made a forced march and threw his entire division on the enemy's flank The expectation of a surprise however. failed, as the enemy were found to be ready and they put up a stubborn resistance. Mena utilized his machine guns which were imported from the United States. to great ad- vantage and although the enemy had much the best of 1t so far as position was concerned the revolutionary army finally charged the Zelayan forces and the latter unable to withstand the fierce fighting. gave way and soon were in full retreat
 So precipitate was their flight that they left behind all of their arms and ammunition and their wounded Mena reports that ha=hRa-staken many pri- soEers and that war stores of great vaule are now in his possession.
 New Orleans. Dec. 22.-A cable from Bluefields says that the 1,soo ZeiayaA troops captured yesterday swore ale glance to Estrada today and will march on Managua with him
 Washington, Dec. 22.-The disastrous defeat and subsequent surrender to Estrada of the entire army of Zelaya which has been operating In the east ern part of Nicaragua, was announc- ed today in despatches to the Navy Department.
 More than 2.60o men killed. wounded or captured were lost to the govern ment and Bluefields has been turned into a hospital camp. manned by Americans to take car of the wound ed of both sides who are coming in to the city.
 Captain shipley of the Des Moines in a despatch dated 3 a. m today. gays: Yesterday the Zelayan forces were completely routed after several hours hard fighting and surrendered in the afternoon. Generals Gonzales
 I tured with four field pieces. 1,500 rifles and a million rounds of ammunition The fighting of the last two days IS estimated to have cost 600 men, kill ed or wounded on both sides
 'sThe wounded are being brought to Bluefields Hospital facilities are very inadeuuate I have established a hos pital on shore employing surgeons from the Tacoma and Des Moines with fourteen assistants, a commissary de- tachment. and a gang of carpenters No force has been landed, as 1t Is supposed that all will be quiet It is estimated that the Zelayan losses kill ed wounded and capturede will reach 2,e0O men"
 In an earlier despatch Captain Ship ley sai6 that the gunbolt Eagle was within the harbor and he urged the nece ssity of lis being prepared to land men at short notice. According to Captain Shipley. the Estrada army be- gan an attack on Dec 10, on the out post of the Zeleya forces of Genera Gonzales. They were defeated and routed and 200 men were captured or killed. Fighting continued throughout the next day and the day following until the Zelaya forces were surround ed It is reported in Bluefields that the former general of the Nicaraguan forces vasquez, hasa been imprisoned in Managua-
 It is now believed that Estrada will push on at once to Managua, to secure control of the Pacific side of the coun- try which Is the stronghold of the government. Although the Zelayan army was practically concentrated at Rama and the biggest part of his forces have been captured. it is pos sible that Estrada nay yet meet with serious resistance particularly on the part of adherents of Madriz who are numerous and have by their former msEeuvers shown their determination to retain their leader in the presiden- cy.
 other points adjacent to the Pacific coast It IS possible a condition of choas greater than any yet experienc- ed. will ensue. On the other hand. it is hoped that an agreement may be reached by Estrada and MadriZ where by further conflict may be avoided.
 The State Department has made no further n~ove and no steps will be talk en until the presence of American ma rines or bluejackets is required for the protection of Americans and American property.
 Washington. Dec. 22-Dr. Castrillo. diplomatic representative of the pro- visional Nicara guam government. re- ceived the following cablegram from General Estrada today:
 -'Our victory complete Preparing to