Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-24

w ing a premonitory warning to
w President Madriz that the
United States will hold him personally
responsible for the safety of Ameri-
cans in the western part of Nicaragua,
the state department tonight extended
more than moral encouragement to the
revolutionists.
Under orders from Secretary Knox,
American Red Cross funds are to be
expended In caring for the sick and
wounded of both armies, more than
1000 of whom are incapacitated in Blue
Fields.
This move on the part Of the United
States is expected to be more ettica-
cious than a strong force.
Bread, instead of bullets" is the
watchword of the state department
and it Is generally believed that the
prospects of food and medical atten-
tion will win over more men from the
government ranks than any other
plan that could be adopted.
According to latest reports the med
ical corps of the war vessels now at
Blue Fields, have installed hospitals
where scores are being cared for. The
procession of sick and wounded men
through the town is said to be pititul
and, although Estrada is doing every
thing in his power to relieve the suf
-
relieve the situation, Secretary Knox
tonight consulted with the American
Red Cross and Immediately afterwards
dispatched the following dispatch to
Thomas II. Moffatt, United States
consul at Blue Fields:
Will Dispatch Money
THE American National Red Cross
will telegraph you tomorrow, the 24th,
$4,000 and will send another $4,000 IL
needed. Navy department has In
structed Captain Shipley TO land what
ever surplus supplies can be furnished
! from our ships now at Blue Fields
and orders VIII be given the Prairie,
now at Colon, to transport immedi-
ately to Blue Fields from the stores
intended for the marines, or from the
Panama canal commissary department,
such supplies as you may ask for with
in the limit Of $4,000 to be cabled you
tomorrow.
you will cooperate with Shipley in
the distribution of supplies, payment
for all of which, both those landed
from ships at Blue Fields and those
sent from Colon, win be recouped
from Red Cross funds"
The dispatch of this telegram fol-
lowed close on the receipt of a report
from Consul Moffatt depicting the
state of affairs in Blue Fields. His
story of the suffering of the defeated
Zelayan soldiers was Drief but graphic.
Incidentally, he reported that more
than 900 were killed on both sides
in the recent battle Of Rama
The dispatch follows;
Prisoners In Distress
1.-TWO thousand starved. emaciated
prisoners have been brought here from
Zelaya's surrendered army. The sight
OF the sick and weary, tottering
through the streets Is horrible. Hair
are mere boys. The emergency hos
pital established by the Des Motnes
and Tacoma contains ninety wounded,
the city hospital sixty. Few of the
surrendered army had shoes or
blankets.
scores were almost naked. all are
in a pitiable condition Estrada is
furnishing them with blankets, cloth
ing, shoes and food as best he can.
Flour beans, rice, sugar. coffee and
condensed milk are needed instantly
to feed the Starving Zelayan sol
diers. Disease and death threatens
unless they are given promptly the
best of food and care.
1.-THE great and sudden demand for
clothing and food for the sunering is
a problem for the provisional govern
ment whose resources are exhausted
Their own men, numbering 5000, are
well teQ ana ClOlilGus Dul l4lSJ NeAh-
not find means whereby to care for
their increased burden.
"I have discussed the seriousness
of the situation fully with Captain
Shipley of the Des Moines and be-
lieve and suggest that ship should
be sent Immediately to Colon to bring
here sufficient quantities of provi-
sions enumerated to feed 1000 men for
thirty days. Present situation threat
ems starvation and disease. 1t is es-
timated now that more than 900 We're
killed on both sides"
Prairie to Be Ready
Orders were issued tonight to the
Prairie to be in readiness to sail at
once from Colon with supplies. Late
tonight no plans had been made for
landing marines, although it is eX
pected that a small guard may be
utilized to mount watch over the
American hospitals.
This will not be done, however, un-
less the American naval commanders
on the scene believe it necessary to
nreserye discipline near the hospitals
and to safeguard the distribution of
food and supplies when they come.
Secretary Knox has given formal
notice to President Madriz Of Mica
ragua, that the United States will
hold him strictly accountable for the
safety of American citizens in the
western section of that country.
Instructions to this effect were sent
to the American consul at Managua.
with instructions to Immediately in
form the Managuan authorities OF the
attitude OF this government.
The consul also was directed to re-
port what basis there was for appre-
hension of trouble on the part of Amer
lean residents in that part of the coun-
try, especially at Granada.
A kalae mn xrrp, roo o4 he ak -.
Continued ON Page Tenn