Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-24
MADR|z HAS QUIT,
IS RUMOR CURRENT
Central American Diplomats
Hear OF 1t, But Source Can
not Be Traced.
famine AT BLUEFIELDS
imminent, SAYS SHIPLEy
Appeals for Food to Stave OF
Starvation.
CAPTIvES IN PITIABLE STATE
Sore and Hungry-Boys Of Eleven
and Women in zelayan Ranks.
No Resources at Hand to
Meet Situation.

Meet Situation.
rumor gained currency here today
that PRESIDENT Madriz OF Nicaragua had
resigned
Efforts to trace its source proved un-
availing. although the representatives or
the Estrada party in this city had gotten
word to the same effect. They. however.
could not vouchsafe anything definite.
nor could the other Central American
diplomats
Shipley Appeals for Aid.
The actual situation at Bluefields is ex-
planned in a telegram received by the
Secretary OF the Navy from Can't. Shin
ley. under yesterdays date and received
here today.
1t says:
"Biuefields. Nicaragua. December q.
Secretary Navy, Washington:
Splendid work is being accomplished
by our hospital service on shore.
"Seventy-five seriously wounded men
were treated last night. Major operations
20 De undertaken today. So far 15o
Hospital facilities assure ADEQUATE
care Tor the present. Nearly 1000 men
killed, and the number may total more
witnessed the arrival of prisoners
whose condltion was pitiable. They were
lame and near starvation MANY we're
boys eleven to twelve years old. some
women and small children were amonr
the prisoners.
in Bluefelds to supply the revolutionists
and prisoners. Apparently there are no
res9urces sou Tor supplying prisoners
me SITUATION Is critical Starvation
or epidemic may occur.
prisoners are at large in the town hut
are harmless. / am insisting they shall
be segregated at the bluff or elsewhere
away from town.
suficient quantities to feed the thousand
prisoners for period of thirty-fiye days,
for the sake Of humanity. The Prairie at
Colon is available to bring stores.
VIII order her to wait there pending
reply. Inc Leonldas is also available
mere. SHIPLEY."
MohPat Tells Of Suffering.
This telegram was preceded BY one
from United States Consul Moffat az
Bluefelds. which indicated that a des-
perate situation existed among the nr;s-
oners. which called for immediate action.
To this Acting Secretary Wfnthron re.
piled by sending the following instruction
to Capt. Shipley. via navy wireless sta
ton. at Colon:
FOR Snipley, DeS MoineS
Moffat cables surrendered Nicararuan
army at Bluefields is starving.
you are authorized to furnish Moffat,
at his request. such supplies as you do
not immediately require, keeping an ac-
curate list Of the supplies furnished, not
exceeding 5000. American Red Cross
will meet expenses
Soup Kitchens Opened.
A dispatch from Capt Shipley. dated
this morning, shows that he is promptly
meeting the situation by minimizing the
danger from epidemic through cleaning
the town and segregating the soldiers at
a point outside the city
Soup kitchens for feeding the people
have been established, under the super
intendence of Commander Niblack. who
suggestion. This course is made neces-
sary from the fact that proper food sup
plies cannot be had in Bluefields.
Prairie Hurried to Relief.
To relieve the starvation of the cap.
tured soldiers of the Zelayan army at
Rama and furnish much needed aid 10
soldiers Of both the Nicaraguan govern
ment forces and the insurgents who were
injured In the battle near Rama, the
United States government today ordered
the cruiser Prairie. now at Colon. to take
on board $1,000 worth Of staple supplies
secured by funds of the American Red
Cross Society and proceed with all possi-
BILE haste to Bluefields.
The only bit Of news from Nicaragua re-
ceived at the State Department this
came from Consul Caldera ar
Managua.
The telegram stated that Madriz was
s.fv
and conservatives, mostly from Leon. his
home city.
This is assumed to mean that Madriz is
making an effort to carry water on both
shoulders, with the probability that he
will meet with catastrophe.
Estrada, it Is believed here, is reorgan-
zing his army with view to promptly
taking up the march westward over the
to- MaDagua. That he will
nave little opposition is generally believed.
Prisoners to Join Estrada.
There are indications that a considerable
percentage OF the prisoners taken at
Rama will subscribe to the oath of al
egiance to the Estrada provisional gov
,rnment and join Estrada's army in the
operations against Managua and the west
,oast cities.
The State Department officials are reti-
,ent as to their purposes with respect to
he person OF Zelaya. the former presi-
lent. When questioned today as to
whether the United States would take
to prevent Zelaya from leaving
he country they declined to answer.
The presumption, however, is that the
natter of allowing him to leave the coun-
ry, either on board the Mexican gunboat
len. Guerrero or by other means. is still
leld In allegiance.
Protectorate in Effect.
The American protectorate over Nicara.
ua will begin on the eastern shore
through philanthropy and the Red Cross
nd In the Zelayan territory. which faces
he Pacific. because of appeals for Ameri-
an Intervention by natives and American
itizens.
With a view to relieving the distress
a Bluefelds. Secretary Knox has aanA: