The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
General Estrada Has Captured Strongest Position Held
 b vasquez
BLOODY BATTLE WON BY
 GENERAL MtNA'S FORCES
President Madriz Is Insueurated At the Palace in Msnapua and ze- lsya Makes Speech Against
 the War.

Blnehelds. Nicaragua. December 21.-Tba revolutionists under command of General Estrada have completely routed the ze- iasan forces near Rama. Estrada has captured Roeree-vssquez's strongest po- sition, and he has been victorious all along the line which stretches for a dis- tance of eight miles
 Yesterday the forward movement begs,. attachments being sent out under Gen eral Louis Mena, F'ornos Diay. Aired, Dag, Chamorro and Matuty It was Gen erai Mena's task to outfank Gonzales Large numbers were well entombed. blr Estrada's followers were armed with ina latest equipment and machine guns were brought into play to clear the trenches The casualties the governments side were heavy, the greatest execution being done at Rocree, which the revo1utionists finally took by assault
 Among those in the revolutionary ranks was Capt Godfrey Fowler. formerly os the Thirty-third infantry, United states army, who was in command of the mip- tary on the firing line.
 fatumbla. short distance fro,,, D. cree, was captured this afternoon by Gen erai Mena after bloody fight Tatumbla also was one Of the strongholds of tba government forces, but the revolutionists were in greater numbers and had with them effective artillery
 General zeledon arrived this morning from Monkey Point with 300 men and one Hotchkiss. He left this af. ernoon for Rama on the tug Blanca. The steamer otsten arrived here this afternoon with four Mexins and thousand rifles.
 The lighting stll continues at the up- per end of the Zeayan trenches. hut if IS only a matter of time before the stronghoids.
 large number of prisoners have been captured by General Estrada.
 Word has been received here that Ze- iaya has determined 10 retain the posi- ton of comrnander-in-chiefo of the army.
 Madriz Is Inausurated.
 Managua. December 21.-Joe Madrz was inaugurated today as president of Nicaragua The ceremony was held at the palace instead of at the parliament building.
 Ex-Presdent Zelaya was kept waiting 10 minutes by Dr. Madriz, who entered the hall accompanied by Julian Irias. minister general
 Senor Zelaya, who wore the Order of the Legion of Honor, made a brief speech. saying:
 I entreat the Nicaraguans to rally to the support of President Madriz who has made 8 VOW for the early termina- tfon of the fratricidal war. l wish to pay tribute to the ability and integrity of my successor. am confident his admin istration will be beneficial"
 No demonstration attended the ceremony but the words of the new President were greeted with applause. Tn accepting of- flee he said.
 T assume the presidency unmoved by personal ambition, but ty the spirit of a good son going to the rescue of his beloved mother, harassed and imperiled ] shall not be able to restore peace and prosperity unaided and I ask for the ass.stance of all true patriots.
 My aim shall be to make Nicaragua q united family and my peace shall carry honor justice and liberty and the maintenance of friendly relations with foreign nations with It. Particularly with Central America shall there be smity."
 The oath of office was administered hy the president of the congress, after which salutes were fired py the artillery accompanied by the ringing of church bells. Later groups of men paraded ths streets crying Death to Zeiayar' Viva Estrada"
 There was no police interference Re- ports are current here that battle has beer fought in the vic;nity of Rams.
 Returning 10 his hotel P esident Mad rig read Q decree from the balcony, aH- nouncing political amnesty and the re- lease of the inmates of the penitentiary. This greeted with tremei dous cheer. ing
 Minister lrias attempted tc speak but he was cried down and dcsisied after fu- tile efforts had been made to quel tho hostile demonstration.
 During the riots at Granada. Rudolph Downing. an American citizen who was born at Granada, was arrested. The American consul at once filed a protest with the authorities.