Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-24
2,ooo STARVING PRISONERS
 FROM ZELAYAS ARMY
To Be Fed by United States-cruisers to Sail from. Colon With Supplies Bread Instead of Bullets.

l, Washington, Dec. 23.-After a per- emptory warning to President Madriz
 that the United States will hold him personally responsible for the safety Of Americans in the western part of Nicaragua, the state department to- night gave more than moral encour- agement to the revolutionists. Under orders from Secretary Knox, Ameri- can Red Cross funds are to be expend- ed in caring for the sick and wounded troops of both the Estrada and Zelayan armies. more than 2,000 of whom are incapacitated in Bluefields.
 This action by the United States is expected to be more eff oacious than the despatch of a strong force Bread instead of bullets is the watchword of the state department, and it is gen orally believed that the prospects of food and medical attention will win over more men from the government ranks than any other plan that could be adopted.
 Shore Hospitals installed.
 According to the latest reports the medical corps of the various war ves- sels now at Bluefelds has installed hospitals ashore. where scores are be- ing cared for. The procession of sick and wounded men through the town is said to be pitiful, and although Estrada is doing everything in his power to relieve the suffering, his resources are meagre.
 Take Supplies from Marine Stores"
 With view to relieving the situa- tion, Secretary Knox consulted with the American Red Cross tonight and immediately afterward despatched the following to Thomas H. Moffatt Unit ed States consul at Bluefelds:
 The American National Red Cross will telegraph you tomorrow, the 2t4h, five thousand dollars, and they will send another five thousand if needed. Navy department has instructed Cap- tain Shipley to land whatever surplus supplies can be furnished from our ships now. at Bluefields, and orders will be given the Prairie, now at Colon. to transport immediately to Bluefields from the stores intended for the ma rines or from the Panama canal com missary department such supplies as you may ask for within the limit of five thousand dollars to be cabled you tomorrow. You will cooperate with Shipley in. the distribution of supplies. payment for all of which, both those landed from ships at Bluefields and those sent from Colon, will be re- couped from Red Cross fund"
 1000 Starved, Emaoiated Prisoners.
 This telegram followed closely the receipt of a report from Consul Moi fatt depicting the state of affairs in Bluefields. His account of the suffer ing of the defeated Zelayan soldiers was brief but graphic. Incidentally he reported that more than 300 men were killed on both sides in the recent battle at Rama.
 The despatch follows:
 Two thousand starved. emaciated prisoners have been brought here from Zelaya's surrendered army. The sight of the sick and weary tostering through the street is horrible: half are mere boys. The emergency hospital estab- lished by the Des Meines and Tacoma contains ninety wounded the city hos pital sixty. Few of the surrendered army had shoes CT blankets Scores were almost naked; all are in a pftsa- ble condition Estrada is furnishing them with bianarcts, clothing, shoes and food as best he can. Flour, beans, rice. sugar, coffee and condensed milk ars