New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-22
ZELAYA'S TROOPS
LOSE HOT BATTLE
ESTRADA FORCES YIN
1T RAMA.
Many KILLED and Wounded
To Rencso Fighting
To-day.

Washington. Dec. ci.-Zelsys's troops
uerc routed by the .Nicaraguan revolu-
,ionists to-day In a fierce battle at Rama
lasting several hours. according 10 ad-
.ices received here this afternoon. Gen
elal Estrada. in command Of tho revo-
Iutionary army. is reported 10 have been
successful all along the line. The hattie
Is 20 be renewed Tomorrow. the advices
declare. and Estrada's army will bend
an efforts 20 compel the unconditional
surrender % Zelaya's forces.
There Is some doubt as 70 the exact
extent Of Estrada's success. Prom revo-
'utonary sources the word IS sent that
The victory over the Zelsyan troops is
complete" The state Department re-
ccived word from Thomas VI. Moffat.
United States Consul al Bluefelds. that
Estrada had partially routed and de-
feated the forces Of Zelsya." IL is agreed.
however. that the moral effect OF this
success on the part Of the revolutionists
can hardly be exaggerated.
The FIRST announcement 81 the success
~ the Estrada arms came in p cable dis
patch 20 Dr. Castrillo. the representative
- tho provisional government here. II
VAS signed "Disz." Diaz is Secretary of
state of the provisional government. The
dispatch said.
complete victory is ours. Zelaya's
troops are in retreat"
Late this evening the State Depart
ment gave out the following message
from Consul Moffat, which had been sent
by wireless telegraph from Colon:
Estrada forces AZ Tatumbia and Rec
rco near Rama, commanded by General
Mcna AZ the former place. and Generals
Ghamorro, Mattuu and FornOs Disz 6.
tho latter place, partially routed and de-
fraffd the forces Of Zelava after des-
perate hghting Of several hours The
Zc'ayan forces were commanded by Gen
oral Gonzales. a great many were killed.
Tho number being unknown. one hun
drod were wounded and one hundred and
rftN prisoners were taken by the reVO-
luuonists The Zelsyan troops at Rec
roo have occupied what has been con
>iderod strong position. Estrada Is
confident of defeating the enemy when
Do rencWs the attack to- morrow. and Of
forcing their surrender.
Tho clash between the two armies was
mot unexpected here. For days they
have been lying practically idle in their
tIenrhcs around Rama, only skirmishes
taking place. Estrada played a waiting
game IN the hope that the zelayan COM
msndcrs would take the initiative and
sttempt -. capture his position. which
0as reported very strong. Furthermore.
with the waning OF President Zelays's
star hc expected large number OF ac-
cSrsions from the Zelayan army.
when Zelsya abdicsIed and practically
dictated tho election Of DIR. Nadriz as
lls SUCCESSOR Estrada, according 20 his
diplomatic friends here, determined 10
strike Accordingly he moved his army
forward yesterday. and took the field
actively against his enemy. DR. CAS-
trilo and his friends look confidently
TOR tho receipt tomorrow Of word of
a complete victory and the beginning
~ the march Of the victorious army on
tho capital.
None - tho officials Of tho State De
psrtment tonight would discuss tho re-
ported victory Of Estrada. II is known.
however. that the news was not un-
welcome. Had the Zelayan army de-
fested Estrada this government would
have been I'm a somewhat embarrassing
position. having favored the cause Of the
provisional government
In Central American diplomatic circles
Tho news caused JOY, and there was a
general celebration tonight. The diplo-
mats predict that this first victory is
the ''beginning Of the end" and that the
next step viii be 10 force the retirement
of Madriz. on the ground that he Is
tool ~ zelsya and not the real choic-
~ the country.