Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-12-19
PRISONERS TORTURED IN
CELLS OF PENlTENTIARS
Liberty Has Been Crushed and Pa
triots Have Been Killed." Declare
the Petitioners in Their Urgent
Plea for Assistance from This
Country.
(By Associated Press).

CORlNIO. Dec. 1S.-SOme or the most
prominent women in Managua have
sent a petition to Henry Caldera, the
acting consul of the United States
here. which sets forth the torture to
which Zelaya's prisoners have been
subjected and pitifully requests the
intervention of the American govern
ment.
"Numberless prisoners" says the
petition, have been tortured in their
cells in the penitentiary; their famil-
les have been impoverished; liberty
has been crushed and patriots have
lieen killed in their efforts to end
crime, extortion and tyranny. and to
prevent the assassination OF Groce and
Cannon.
we implOre you to bring the male
factor to justice that his many crimes
may receive the punishment they de-
serve and that he be not permitted TO
escape
Reign of Terrier.
For weeks the associates ana adher
ents OF Zelaya have been conducting
"a reign or terror Their chief vic
tins have been the best people in
the country Property has been cen
hscated, fathers and sons imprisoned,
wives and daughters forced to sub
nit their plea to the representative
of to jail or cruelty injured.
So appalling were the conditions
that 4 large number OF women met
together and finally decided to sub
nit their pleae to the representative
OF the government whose warships
are close at hand. 1t is net only their
own protection they seek, but the
safety of those who, in the last few
days, have had courage enough to
rise in the public place and denounce
Ielaya and his administration.
The agitation here is so strong
against the holding CT hundreds and
perhaps thousands. in prison that the
officials deemed it advisable to take
stems to release some of them against
whom crimes are only alleged
Political Prisoners Released.
Most of the political prisoners.
therefore, were released today, but
there are still many others behind
the walls.
II was after the warships reached
Corinto that the demonstrations
against Zelaya became pronounced,
for those who have been crying for
the revolution were fully convinced
that bluejackets and marines from
the ships would be landed. Now they
are terrified lest no men are sent
ashore. In such an event they fear
reprisals by the Zelayan forces, which
are still strong in Managua-
Many revolutionary suspects nave
been thrown into prison and put to
torture and there are number also
now in chains who refused to do the
bidding of the government
Refused to Give order.
Among these is Anibel Chavez, an
officer in the army, who was in COM
mand of the firing squad when Crcce
and Cannon were brought OUT for exc
cution
He refused to give the. firing order,
exclaiming as he threw down his
sword: Il am a soldier. not muir
derer~
Consul CaIdera is daily in receipt
Of neraces Of death. but beyond ex-
,rcisiup watchful care. he has taken
no precautions to guard against at
tack and goes about TO attending the
duties o. his position.
word has reached here that DIT.
lose Naariz. Zelayas candidate Tor
nel sur on his way to Corinto-
He Is Fastening 10 MaBagua to ia
form himself personally Of the situa-
ton. Al Corin;O. it is believed. Mad
riz viii confer with several OF MS
strongest supporters who are pro
ceedinz there from various depart
nents. Following close upon the
resignation Of Zelaya. an entire
change has taken place tn the admin
sstraficn 81 tae department q Ora
NADIA. Managsa. Leon, Jinotega aad
uafaRalpa. The old officials we're
ernmersiv dismissed and others
ramca 10 an their places. The ma
,oritv q these are from leon, the
stronghold q the Liberals. and ar
favorable 20 the candidacy Of MAG
riz.
No Surprise Among oiFlo:nzts.
WASHINGTON n. c. Dec. N
a.. f..~fr.f Ar1rrir1n diulc matte