The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-12-06

TO HONDURAS OR MEXICO
Big Battle in the Revolution is sche-
duled to Take Place Probably
Tomorrow Between
Thousands.

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. GA private
cable received here today says Presi-
dent Zelaya has made arrangements
to flee from Nicaragua and with his
family will take the first steamer sail
ing from Corinto. The vessel that will
take him will be one Of the Pacific
Mail fleet sailing from Panama and
will land him either in Salina Cruz,
Mexico, or at Amatala. Honduras.
A steamer is expected at Corinto to-
day. According to this dispatch,
zelaya viii leave his secretary, Julian
Ireis, in charge of his Office. That he
was planning fight, has been rumored
repeatedly since the revolution start
ed.
The impending Battle.
BLUEFIELDS, Mic. Via Wireless
to Colon, Dec. 6.-With every road
and stream leading to Rayma, heavily
mined General Estrada, provisional
President is today awaiting an attack
by the government forces Of President
Zelaya
zelaya's van guards are now within
few hours march OF the outposts.
The main attack is not expected until
tomorrow. Estimates Of the two
armies vary greatly but It is believed
that a total ,of fifteen thousand sold
iers will be involved, Zelaya claims
between eight and ten thousand which
would give him numerical strength
over Estrada. But this advantage ts
more than Offset by the superior con
dition of the revolutionary army,
which also has the advantage of be-
ing the defending army It IS believed
the revolutionists will win a great
victory.
Reports from Greytown reports the
government troops in critical con
dition. The troops led by General
Toledo are under fed and poorly arm
ed. The town is to be attacked az
soon as the Rayma engagement is fin
ished. If Estrada can win at both
Rayma and Greytown, the way will be
cleared for an early advance on Man.
aqua, the capitol, the capture Of which
would probably terminate the war
PHILADELPHIA. Pa, Dec. 6.-Des
pairing of quickly freeing the cruiser
Prairie from the mud flats at Pea
Patch Island, in the Delaware River
where she has been stuck since last
Thursday, the marines and stores
aboard the stranded cruiser were re
moved to the cruiser Dixie. 1t is prob
able that the latter vessel will get un
der way today and continue to Colon
the original destination of the Prairie
Two more vain attempts were made
Sunday to free the Prairie. Lighter!
had removed more than 500 tons O
coal and all the 100000 rounds of am
munition. when half dozen tug
strained and pulled in an effort to ge
the Prairie into deep water at higl
tide this morning. The warship di,
not bulge from the slloal, and whel
the tide began to recede again tn,
work of removing additiona. store
and the 500 marines to the Dixie wa
begun.
This was continued all afternoon
and at food tide the tugs Sommer
N. Smith. New Castle Modoc. Samose
and Vidette and the steam dredg,
Delaware hitched to the Prairie, ant
another effort was made to pull tn
vessel clear. This failed, and tn,
Prairie remains stuck in almost th
same position as when it first ground
ed.
The cruiser Dixie which will proba
bly, sail, is a sister ship to the Prairi
and has been in readiness at tie Phil
adelphia Navy Yard for some time.
Orders from Washington that sever
al Of the warships now at the yard
be prepared for immediate servic
caused great activity at the Philadel
plia Navy Yard. The new battle shi
Michigan has been ordered put int
commission and Is to sail for HamI
ton Roads on Thursday next. Anothe
battle ship, the Ohio, is also being pre-
pared to sail. but her destination !
kept secret.
The cruiser Columbia has been OF
dered to the Brooklyn Navq Yard, t
be converted into a transport, and vii
be held in readiness to convey mai
ines to Central America.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. Dec. g.
The gunboat Princeton sailed for Col
into. after taking on coal and store
at California City. The Princeton |
under orders to proceed to Corint
with all possible speed and join. tn
Vicksburg, now in that harbor.