The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-17
AS SEEN BY A WOMAN.
The Situation in Nicaragua Viewed by
an Outsider.

The following article written by Miss
Isabel Stephen, a San Francisco news
paper woman, reveals the true state of
affairs in Nicaragua: -
Corinto, Dec. 1.-THE port of Corinto
IS little place of about 600 inha bitants,
the majority of whom live in matched
little huts. windowless and infected with
tarantulas spiders, lizards. rats and YER
min of all sorts. These miserable places
are dotted among beautiful tropical gar
dens filled with cocoanut and royal palms
orange trees laden with fruit, and over
loaded banana trees, the crops of which
the natives seem even too lazy to gather.
The Spanish women, who were of the
and flirted with the soldiers After we
had gone down the line for about an hour
the train stopped. Looking out of the
waiting for u.s.. One of them, apparently
an officer. distinguished from the others
the train, looked at our passports, scowled
majestically and took our names. We
did not Know Whethe nav we had pur BEEN aen
made prisoners or not; but as the others
all appeared in their usual dolce far
down when suddenly 1 heard wailing and
weepin- alongside, mingled with curt
and ferocious orders.
There, entering the train, were % or
IS soldiers. each of whom led a. couple
of peasants by piece of rope which was
tied around their arms. These | learned
afterwards were peasants who had been
taken off their farms. or out of their
stores, by command of Zelaya and were
to be carried east to join the presidents
forces.
The old women were thrust off and
kicked aside. Then we started on our
way again. We passed through a rich fer
tile valley. all over which. were dotted
be abandoned. Cattle and horses, in some
instances. were wandering around loose
Although the distance is little more
than thirty or forty miles it took US three
and one-half. hours to. get to Leon.
mn inc 7 vic cd
ladies who had lived there all their lives
and were not afraid to tell what they
hate Zelaya," they said, land they look
on him some horrible monster with
diabolical power Two or three tin, times h. he
time he so managed 1t that ne himself
should be elected again. He robs every
body and keeps them all prisoners with
back to the states but how can We? If
bank now - we eve Would have nothing. We
could just get a tenth of its value. The
ones who tell YOU that they are strong
they are afraid he win hear of it, and
he can torture like fiend.
and found the people in great state of
excitement. Zelaya had gained a victory.
There was no working overtime that even
ing. The people hate zelaya but any ex,
| cuse for celebration with pulque and
| music.
Note position of disks on checkerboard
| inthe accompanying picture The United
States battleship is stationed at Corinto;
| Uncle Sam is ready to act at Managua-
zelaya is near Raaas. where battle is
expected to IKE place with the insurgents.
On the square back of Zelaya is Estrada,
the insurgent leader. 1t is now Zeiaya' s
move. The United States disks are in the
| king row protecting it. Estrada has
Zelaya blocked and any move he makes
! is bound to be captured The map also
| shows the Dixie with 700 marines aboard
| on the way to Colon. They will cross the
isthmus. board the Buffalo on the OPP
posite side and proceed to Corinto. The
! Prairie is also shown on the way to Grey
| town. The Tacoma will arrive at Blue
| fields in few days. The Des Moines is
| now stationed at Bluefields. The Vicks-
burg is at Corinto. At left below is
Isabel Stephen, who writes of conditions
in Nicaragua.