The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-12-24
MADRIz MUST
AID AMERICANS
Secretary Knox Holds Him
Responsible.
GUARANTEES CITIZENS SAFETY
Consul Directed to Relieve the
Distress.
state Department. would Learn
Grounds for Fears of Americans
In western sections--Com-
mandant. visitor to Al
mirai, Not saiuted.

Washington. Dec. 2s.-Following
peremptory warning TO President
Madriz that the United States will
hold him personally responsible for
the safety of Americans In the west
ern part Of Nicaragua, the state De-
partment tonight extended more than
moral announcement to the reyolu-
ticuists.
Under orders from Secretary Knox.
American Red Cross funds are TO be
expended In caring for the sick and
wounded troops of both the Estrada
and zelayan armies, more than $500
of whom are incapacitated In Blue
fields.
This move on the part Of the Uni
ted States is said to be more effica-
cious than the dispatch of strong
force.
bread instead OF bullets" is the
watchword OF the State Department.
and 1t Is generally believed that the
prospects of food and medical atten-
tion will win over more men from the
government ranks than any other plan
that could be adopted.
According to the latest reports the
medical corps of the various war ves-
sells now at Bluefields, has installed
hospitals ashore, where scores are be-
ing cared FOR. The PROCESSION of sick
and wounded men through the town is
said to he pitifuI. and although Es-
trada Is doing everything in his pow
er to relieve the sufferinR his re-
sources are meagre.
With view to relieving the situa-
ton. Secretary Knox tonight consulted
with the American Red Cross and i'm
followfng dispatch to Thomas IA. Mof-
fatt. United states consul at Blue
fields:
The American National Red Cross
will Telegraph Won tomorrow. the 24th.
5000 and thew win send another s6,-
300 II needed. The Navy Department
has, Instructed CAPTAIN Shiplav to land
whatsTer surplus supplies can be fssn-
siefl from dur sfifps nov. q s8lae-l
tieiss. xssa o<a8rs viii Sc 3fven the
Prairie. now at Colon. to transport i'm
mediately to Bluefields from the stores
intended for the marines, or from the
Panama canal commissary department
such supplies as you may ask for,
within the limit of $1,000 to be cabled
you tomorrow.
You will cooperate with Shipley in
the distribution Of supplies. payment
for all Of which. both that landed from
ships at Bluefields and that sent from
Colon, VIII be recouped from the Red
Cross fund"
Scenes OF Distress.
The dispatch Of this telegram fol-
lowed close upon the receipt Of a re-
port from Consul Moffatt, depicting
the state OF afEairs in Blnenelds. HIS
story OF the suffering of the defeated
Zelayan soldiers was brief but grapb-
&C. Incidentally, he reported that more
Than 800 men were killed on both
sides in the recent battle at Rama.
The dispatch follows:
Two thousand starved. emaciated
prisoners have been brought here from
Eelaya's surrendered army. The sight
VI the sick and weary. totterinu
through the streets is horrible; half
are mere boys. THE emersencv hosni-
tal establlshed nv the Des Mo,nas ma
Tacoma contains ninety wounded the
city hospital sixty. Few of the sur
rendered army had shoes or blankets
Scores were almost naked: all are In
y pitiable condition, Estrada is fur
nishin9 them with blankets. elothing
shoes and food as best he can FIopr
beans. rice. sugar. coffee ana con,
densad milk are needed. INSTANTLY 10
feed the starving laIavan snldtsrs
Disease ana death threaten ,,,iass
they are promptly given best of foods
and care.
The great ana sudden aamana 90
proper ciothin9 ana food for az s,t
ferers is a problem fo, the nro,,ts,, so
government whose resources are asN
hausted. Their own men. numhar,rg
5000, are well fed and clothed bnf
they cannot find means Wherein ~
care for their Increased burden
II have discussed the Seriousness ~
the situation fully with Captain shin
ley OF the Des Moines and believe ana
suggest that q ship should be sent to
Colon immediately to bring here sum
cient Quantities Of provisions enumer-
ated to feed 1000 men for thirty DAYS.
Present situation threatens starvation
and disease. 1t is estimated now that
over 900 men were killed on both
sides,
Orders We're issued tonight to the
Prairie to be in readiness to sail *
once from Colon with supplies.
Up to late hour no plans had been
MADE Tor the landing OF marines, al
. ts u - eApected that small de-
.aehneht may De utilized to guard the
AillerleAn hospitals. This VIII not be
uohe, however unless the American
n ls commanders on the scene be-
liepe ~ necessary 10 preserve order in
tne VicInity OF the hospitals and to
safeguard the distribution Of food and
SIIppiles Mnen tney come.