Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-25
Former President of Nicaragua Goes
to Western Port on Special
Train.
RUM0R THAT MADRIz RESIGNED
Another Report Says He is Trying to
Organize Liberal Ministry.
HIS ARMY IS MERE REMNANT
Of 1900 Men Only 500 Escape from
Estradas Troops.
NO FIGHT FOR THE CAPITAL
InsurEent Commander Asserts His
March MRnaEun VIII he Un-
OpDosed--Details of Bat
tie of Rama.
o FIGHT FOR THE CAPITAL

CORINTo, Nicaragua, Dec. A.-Former
President zelaya arrived at Corinto today
on a special train from Managua, whence
he departed this morning at 3 o'clock. He
was accompanied by a gp&rd of fifty men
with a Maxim gun.
y WASHINGTON Dec. 2L--A rumor
gained currency here today that President
Madriz OF Nicaragua had resigned Eff
forts to trace It's source proved unavai.ing
although the representatives of the Es-
trada party in this city had written word
to the same effect. They, however, vouch-
safe nothing definite, nor could the other
Central American diplomats.
A telegram to the State department from
Consul Caldera at Managua received to-
day, stated that Madriz was organizing a
cabinet made up of liberals and conserva-
tives, mostly from Leon, his home city.
This is assumed to mean that Madriz
is making an effort TO carry water on both
shoulders, with the probability that he will
meet with & catastrophe.
Estrada, It is believed here, is reorganlz-
ing his army with a vsew to promptly
taking up the mart6 westward over the
mountains to Managua. That he will have
little opposition is generally believed and
there are indications that a considerable
percentage Of the prisoners taken at Rama
will join Estradas army in operations
against Managua and the west coast cities
When questioned today az to whether
the United States would take measures to
prevent zelaya from leaving the country.
State department officials declined to an
matter of allowing him to leave the coun-
try either on board the Mexican gunboat
General Guberro or by other means is still
held in allegiance.
InsurRent Victory Complete.
BLUEFIELDs, Nicaragua. Dec 24.-The
letails of the battle of Rama are now
known The victory or the Insurgents was
as complete as has been claimed by them.
After two days of fighting, the fiercest
that Central America has seen. General
Estrada on Tuesday wiped out the enemy.
OF Zelaya's army Of 5000 men but 500 es-
capped. The killed and wounded on both
sides as before reported, numbered CO., and
1900 Of the government troops surrendered
after a desperate resistance. Three Hotch-
kiss and four Maxim guns 2.OOO rifles and
100000 rounds Of ammunition were included
In the booty
General Estrada processes to believe his
march to Managua win be unopposed.
Bluefields and the neighborlng country
are delirous with JOY, The victory Is said
to have been won on the very day sched-
uled for the Inauguration of DR.. Madriz
as president OF Nicaragua in succession to
Zelaya.
General Luis Mena is again here His
troops arrived on the scene Of battle when
victory was in the balance and turned the
tide in favor of the insurgents.
A. tho request of United States Consul
Moffett, Commander Shpley of the United
States cruiser Des Moines, sent his hos
pltRl squad ashore, establishing an inde-
pendent hospital where forty of the
wounded are receiving care. The American
medical men have been able to give their
services to all who We're in need Of them.
Six Americans participated in the battle,
operating rapid fire guns They escaped
injury with the exception of one named
Bashford, who received three bullets in
leg.
Two Generals Captured.
The prisoners include General Gonzales
and General Castrillo. General Vasquez
who was returning to Rama from Managua
when hostlltles began, did not reach the
scene during tho fighting He was a few
miles distant when the government troops
were routed and 1t is possible that some 500
men escaped with him.
After Zelaya's trenches had been shelled
they were taken by assault. In the trenches
were several women who preferred risking
their lives In the conflict to starvation In
camp. These women were armed with
rifles and fought courageously, One Of
them was wounded and later brought to
the hospital here.
large proportion OF the prisoners were
found to be boys under 16 years of age
They expected defeat as though It was
welcome
General Gonzales, the leader OF the gov
eminent troops, today shares the quarters
OF General Estrada and Is eating the lat
ter's rations with great relish and smoking
insursent tobacco as though he enjoyed It.
WidOws Wander Streets.
Today widows and orphans may be seen
wandering about the streets weeping. Vet
no expression of regret is heard The
PROFESSIONALS admit their heavy losses ana
estimate those Of the enemy at .ahout an
equal number.
General Chamorro, General Diaz ana
General Matuty first faced the enemy
The tugs. Pioneer and Blanca. upon which !
were mounted Hotchkiss guns, half buried
in stand, steamed up a creek, tributary TO
the Mieo river, upon which the village OF
Recreo is situated.
For hours they shelled the village. the
gunners maintaining great accuracy.
zelaya's troops frequently left the trenches
and. advancing through the jungles. met
the insurgents In hand to-hand conflicts.
These dashes were followed in each in
stance by retreat to the trenches and a
forward movement by the provisionals.
who cut the wire entanglements with their
maehetes. In these brushes many were
killed or wounded.
General Chamorro, who looks like a
typical North American regular TROOPER
fought with frenzied vigor General Diaz
disdained. as did Chamorro. to take 10
eoyef piaz walked erect amid haii OF
bullets directing the fire OF his men. who |