The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-12-11
J.. 5. MARINES MAY
Be LANDED At
bLUEF|ElDS
Estradas Sympathizers in State Of
Terror, As Zelaya Begins Flank
Movement, Are Assured Protec-
tion by United States Consul.
zelaya Turns Sharp Trick by Seek
ing Armistice and Throwing
Estrada Of His Guard.

NEW ORLEANS. La, Dec. IA
dispatch from Bluefelds received here
today says the Zelayan army which
has been in the vicinity OF Rama, is
marching OF Bluehelds The city is
tcrrorized and the only hope of Es-
trada sympathiZers there, according to
the dispatch. is that the American
warships will land force OF marines.
The Ielayan army is reported strong.
The dispatch further says that Unit.
ell States Consul Moffat at Blue
fields has given assurances TO he
re,olutionists that American marines
will step in and control the situation
should II become serious. The Des
Moines is in the harbor at Bluefelds
The Zelayan army is said to number
1000. 1t is said 10 be within rife
range by nightfall and night at
tack Is anticipated.
Hundreds or women and children
among them many Americans. are he
ing rushed upon the ships In the
harbor here in desperate effort To
get them away before the fighting be-
gins.
Tn report OF the approach Of Zela-
vas army came from runners who
have streamed into the city ahead
of the advancing column. Zelaya has
completely outwitted Provisional
President Estrada and has been adj
vsncing his forces quietly while Es-
trada was waiting 10 take advantage
OF his apparent victory over Gea.
NaasqueZ at Rama.
Desultory fighting is reported nj
Rama in the meager information that
has been received since the news or
the Zelaya advance was made known.
II is believed Zelaya's handful Of men
there, will endeavor to check any sup
porting movement on the part OF the
Estra forces and so harrass the army
thatit will be impossible for it To move
to aid Bluefields In time TO stop the
pillage Of the city.
The cay in a turmoil, a state or
near anarchy exists and the authori-
ties seem powerless to form plan for
defense. Frantic appeals to the Unit
ed States consul for help are beng
made and he liz asked TO land marines
TO protect the city. II Is believed he
will act If Zelaya's forces pillage the
city
Zelaya. warned by ConsuGeneral
Altschul. of New Orleans that Estra-
da's forces apparently we'll armed and
outftted, were in reality helpless be-
cause the ammunition sent with the
% 900 rifles on the Utstein did not MT
the magazines Of the guns, is reported
10 have worked out stragetic plan To
take advantage OF the helpless revc'
lutionary party
Only small part of the Zelaya
forces were engaged at Rama. The
real body. according to the reports to-
Gay has been moved stealthily to-
wards BLefields. Blueffclds, capltal
OF the department of Solaya, OF which
Gen Estrada was governor. is the real
stronghold OF the revolution. For q
short time Greytown (Ssn Juan Del
Norte) was in the hands OF the revo-
lutionists, but was recaptured by the
administration forces. Part or the
Estrada forces have been engaged
there Is an effort TO recapture Inc
town. The rest Of the army has been
moved inland, but has penetrated only
as far as Rama. which is not more
than 80 miles from Bluefelds.
Estrada's forces in the far interior
are small and scattered and the seiz-
ure OF Bluefields and the cutting on
OF the forces ut Rama would. 1T is be-
]ieved be the end Of his regime.
Zelaya's army last night was with
in 20 miles OF Bluehelds. The march
on the town began at daybreak and
IS being pushed with the greatest ra-
pidity.
The men paid yesterday were given
extra rations and were promised the
privilege OF pillage.
The artillery have so heavy field
guns and they will be trained on the
town as soon as they are within
range.
The defending force is small and I'M
less the United States warships NJ
anchor In the harbor come to the res
cue. IL is believed the fall OF the city
,Contiuued ON Psge SKI
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