The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-13
REIGN OF TERROR
IS MAINTAINED
Nicaraguan Situation Is Be-
coming Very Serious
ZELAYA'S FORCES ALERT
Feeling of Bitterness Against Amer
leans in Managua and Steps Are
Taken to Interfere With
Marines.
ZELAYAS FORCES ALERT

Bluefields. Nicaragua, December 12.-It
IS learned from an authoritative source
that a reign of terror is being main
tanned in Managua and that not less
than 500 persons identified with political
affairs are in chains In the prisons. A
Catholic society has been ordered to cease
sending food to the prisoners, and these
are In fair way to starve to death, as
the government allows them only cents
a day for food Corporal punishment is
taeted out daily to various alleged Of
tenders.
President Zelaya, in order to create an
impression that the sentiment of the peo-
pie of Managua Is hostile toward Amer
lea and Americans, recently appointed
Anelio Estrada, a prominent liberal and
brother of the revoluionist chief, to or
ganize a demonstration against that
country and people, but this Estrada re-
fused to do, and zelaya had him arrest
ed on a fictitious charge.
It is understood that DR.. Julian Arias,
the minister general, who has many ad-
herents at Leon and Chinandega, has
been making attempts to start an up
rising In his favor as Zelaya's successor,
but whether or not with Zelaya's consent
is not known. 1t is reported also that
Arias' home had been surrounded by SOL
diers.
Further authoritative dispatches re-
ceived here state that 500 of Zelaya's
forces have been entrenched for the pur-
pose of preventing the American marines
from passing over the bridge into CO.
rinto.
Since Thursday last, when General Es-
trada became practically certain that
General Vasquez, In command of a por-
ton of Zelayas troops, was attempting
to make detour of Rama for the pur-
pose of seizing an unguarded river point
and descending upon Bluefields the forces
of the provisional government have been
acting with great energy. Rama has
been occupied and other less important
river landings have been strongly guard
ed. All available boats have been held in
reserve to rush achievements to any
point that may be threatened.
General Chamorro and $50 men arrived
here today to assist in guarding the entire
60 miles of the Escondo river from Rama
to Bluefelds. General Chamorro left
300 men guarding the land passages be-
tween Bluefields and Greytown.
In an interview this afternoon the pro-
visional secretary of state, Adolfo Diaz.
said that the Zelayan troops would not
be able to march overland from Grey
town because of the swanps and jungles,
and they would not be able either to get
the use of river boats.
For these reasons General Chamorro
could afford to weaken the Greytown
force without fear of the results. While
the provisional government would well
come additions to the marines which the
United States cruiser Des Moines has
aboard. Secretary Diaz declared that
Estrada's forces were capable of defeat
my any attempt to attack Bluefelds.
Scouting parties are out in every direc-
ton to determine the objective point of
General Vasquez, who asked for two days.
extension of the truce to enable him to
communicate with Zelaya. AS General
Vasquez is in possession OF the telephone
system over which probably 10 minutes
would suffice to transmit his business
with Zelaya, this request was regarded
with suspicion and refused.