The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-16

terday. The speaker handled Madriz without gloves. as one who would not be accepted by the insurgents as president of Nicaragua. The revolu- tion. Estrada and his officers and men were lauded by the speaker. who bold " asserted his sympathy for the in surgent cause.
 His remarks were received with cheers by many. while other members of the aldermanic chamber hooted. The result was inevitable and fist fight was quickly on. In the melee two shots were fired. but whatever damage was done was concealed. The police intervened. making twenty arr rests. Soldiers also were called out to preserve order in the streets. where the quarrel of the aldermen was talk en up by partfsans. Throughout the night the streets were filled with sol diers and a systematic search for con- ceaied weapons was made upon every one who ventured from his home.
 The letter which Secretary Knox ad- dressed to the Nicaraguan charge d. affaires at Washington. which accom- panied the Iatter's passports. was pulp lished in Manasua for the first time today. The United States auxiliary cruiser Buffalo. which is expected here with American marines, has not yet arrived.
 
 Demonstration in ManaEua.
 Washington, Dec. 15--Yesterday's dispatches describing the anti-Zelayan demonstration In Managua were con- firmed today by telegram from Vice Consul Caldera. dated yesterday morn ing.
 It appears that some of the demon- strants were arrested by government antiquities. but who the prisoners are was not indicated. The dispatch also says that Zelaya has published a statement promising to resign the Presidency of Nicaragua in favor of not the choice of the people there.
 In the absence of specific informa- tion. the State Department officials discredit the news published some days ago of any important engage ments between the government and revolutionary forces at Rama in which the revolutionary army is said to have been defeated. The fact that the government has received no In. formation is regarded as almost proof positive that no engagement has ta- ken place at Rama.
 Should Zelaya carry out his purpose of resigning and installing Madriz la his place as President. there Is reason to believe that the Estrada faction would continue their activities with even greater yigor.
 The people of Nicaragua, it is said. cannot look for better conditions un- der Madrtz's administration. as he is known to be a strong partisan of Ze- iaya, although he has himself been im- prisoned several times by Zelaya's di- rect orders.
 Madriz's selection would not be sat isfactory to the government of the United States and therefore his Install lation into the office of President would rather tend to compifcate than to simplify the situation in that coun. try.
 Availability of Marines.
 Washington, Dec. 15.-By reason of the proviso tackled on the naval appro- priation bill of the last session of Con- gress by which the money for their use was to be available only on condi- ton that the marines were restored to the duties hitherto assigned to them. their availability during the Nicara- guan crisis is troubling navy officials.
 The proviso made obligatory that the marines. who had been taken of of all the vessels in the navy on which they were serving. be restored to the ships.
 The question now arises as to the availability of the marines on the ves- sells of the navy for duty on shore. There Is said to be na doubt in the minds of naval officials that the marines might be land ed for temporary duty. But if the demand for service should continue the naval officials are not so sure as to how long they will be justf- fled in Keeping the marines. ashore One authority has taken the position that the marines could be kept there even after the vessel to which he had been assigned had sailed away. Others maintain that this would be plain violation of the law.
 Appreciating the feelings of Con- gress on the subject of keeping the marines on the vessels. the department Is said to be determined to go slow in trying to have the law amended, but 1t is no secret that 1t would be pleased if Congress wouldN change the law.
 Princeton On Way.
 Washington, Dec. 15--After more or less satisfactory cruise. the gum boat Princeton is approaching Nica- raguan territory and was reported at the navy department at Acapulco. Mexico, yesterday. She is bound for Corinto. and her arrival there will