The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-12-29
WHOSE WAR IS II?
is CONTEST IN NICARAGUA TN.
Gle SANS JOB.
American Red Cross Society viii
Give $4,000 for Needy Soldiers
Expected That Consurs Work in
Giving Out Supplies Will Draw
Support From Zelaya Forces.


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 today extended more than
moral encouragement to the revolu-
tionists. Under orders from Secre-
tary 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 1000 Of whom are inca
pacitated in Bluefelds.
The move on the part Of the Unit
ed States is expected to be more eff
cacious than the dispatch of q
strong force. Bread instead Of bull
iets'' is the watchword Of the state
department, and it is generally be-
lieved 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.
According to the last reports, the
medical corps Of the various war ves-
sells now at Bluefields has installed
hospitals ashore, wher 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.
With a view OF relieving the sit
uation. Secretary Knox tonight con-
suited with the American Red Cross,
and immediately dispatched the fol-
lowing dispatch to Thomas H. Mof-
fat, United States Consul at Biue-
fields.
!. Tho Ashe erican National Red Cross
Sats th 6u tenorrov1 i ne
gath. 5000. and they will Send
another $1,000 IL needed. Navy de-
partment has instructed Capt. Ship
ley to land whatever surplus supplies
can be furnished from the ships now
at Huefields and orders will be given
the Prairie, now at Colon, to trans
port Immediately to Bluefelds from
the stores intaa1ed for the marines
or from the can,l commissary de-
partment such supplies as you may
need within the limit Of $4,000 to
be cabled tomorrow You will CO.
operate with Shipley in the distribu-
ton Of supplies. payment for all of
which, both those landed from ships
at Bluefieids and those sent from Co.
lon. will be recouped from Red Cross
funds"
The dispatch Of this telegram fol-
lowed close on the receipt of a re-
port from Consul Moffat. depicting
the state Of affairs in Bluefields. His
story Of the suffering Of the defeated
zeleyan soldiers was brief, but gra-
phic. Incidentally. he reported that
more than 800 men were killed on
both sides in the recent battle at
Rama.
Said Mr.. Moffat: y
THE sight Of the sick and weary
tottering through the streets is hor-
rible. Half are mere boys. The
emergency hospital established by
the Des Moines and Tacoma, contains
90 wounded. the city hospital 60. Few
of the surrendered army have cots or
blankets. Scores were almost naked.
All are in pitiful condition. Estra-
da is furnishing them with blankets,
clothing, shoes and food as best he
can. Flour, beans, rice, sugar, cof-
fee and condensed milk are needed
instantly to feed the starving Zeia-
yam soldiers. Disease and death
threatens. unless they are property
given best Of food and care.
'The great and sudden demand for
proper clothing and food for the suf-
fering Is problem for the provis-
ional government. whose resources
are exhausted. their own men, num-
bering 5000, are we'll fed and cloth
ed, but they can not find means
whereby to care for their increased
burden.
II have discussed the seriousness
OF the situation fully with Capt.
Shipley Of the Des Moines and believe
and suggest that a ship should be
sent to Colon Immediately to bring
sufficient quantities Of the provisions
to feed 1000 men for 80 days. Pre-
sent situation threatens starvation
and disease. 1t is estimated that
over 800 were killed on both Sides"