Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-22
Estrada's Troops Beat
ze|aya's Forces atRana.
Government Soldiers Routed
with Heavy Loss.
More Fighting Expected Today.
madriz Inaugurated.

Bluefields, Nicaragua, Dec 21.-The
revolutiOnists under Command of Gener-
al Estrada have completely routed the
Zelayan forces near Rama. Estrada
mas captured Recreo, VasqueZ's strong
| est position and he has been victorious
all along the line. which stretches for
distance of eight miles.
Yesterday the forward movement be-
gan, detachments being sent out under
Gems. Luis Mena, Fornes Diaz. Alfredo
Dlaz, Chanorro and Matuty. 1t was
Gen. Mena's task to outf1ank the gov
eminent troops. These in large numbers
were well entrenched, but Estrada's
followers were armed with the latest
equipment and machine guns were
brought into play to clear the trenches
The casualties on the government side
were high, the greatest execution being
done at Recreo.
Among those in the revolutionary
ranks was Capt. Godfrey Fowler, for
merry of the SD Infantry, u. S. A.,
who was in command of the artillery
on the firing line.
Tatumbla, a short distance from Re-
creo, was captured this afternoon by
Gen. Mena after a bloody fight Ia
tumbla also was one of the strong po-
sitions of the government forces but
the revOlutionists We're in greater
number and had with them effective
artillery.
Gen. Zeledon arrived this morning
from Monkey Point with 800 men and
III Iaff of
for Rama on the tug Blanca. The
steamer Utstein arrived here this af-
tArnoon with four Maxims and 1000 RI
files.
The fighting still continues at the up
per end of the Zelayan trenches, but
it is only a matter of time before the
revolutionists will take the remaining
stronghofds. A large number of pris-
oners have been captured by Gen. Es-
trada.
Word has reached here that Zelaya
has determined to retain the position
of commander-in-chi of the army.
Washington, Dec. 21.-Zelaya's troops
tionists today in a fierce battle at Ra-
ma, lasting several hours, according
to advices received here this after
noon. Gen. Estrada, in command of the
revolutionary army, is reported to have
been successful all along the line. The
battle is to be renewed tomorrow, the
advices declare and the Estrada army
will bend all efforts to compel the un-
conditional surrender of the govern
ment forces.
There is some doubt as to the exact
extent of Estrada's success. From rev.
dictionary sources the word is sent
that the victory over the Zelayan
troops is complete" The state depart
ment has received word from Thomas
II. Moffat, United States consul at
Bluefields that. Estrada had partially
routed and defeated the forces Of Ze-
lava" 1t is agreed, however, that the
moral effect of such an initial success
on the part of the revolutionists can
hardly be exaggerated. The first an
nouncement of the success of the Es-
trada army came in a cablegram to
DR.. Castrillo, the representative here
of the provisional government. 1t was
signed "Diaz." Diaz is secretary of
Sldlc u Tic DIONlSlolldl SONSIlAhSiAt'
The cablegram said:
Complete victory is ours. Zelaya's
troops are in retreat" Later this even
ing the state department gave cut the
following message from Consul Moffat,
which. had been sent by wireless tele-
graph from Colon:
Estrada forces at Tatumbla and Rec
REQ, near Rama, commanded by Gen.
Mena at the former place. and Gems.
Chamorro, Mattuti and FOrnes DiaZ at
the latter place, partially routed and de-
feated the forces of Zelaya after des-
perate fighting of several hours. The
Zelayap forces were commanded by Gen.
Gonzales. A great many were Killed, the
number being unknown; 100 were wounded
and $50 prisoners were taken by the rev.
olutionists. The Zelayan troops at Rec
REQ have occupied what has been consid-
cred a strong position. Estrada is conf
dent of defeating the enemy when he re-
news the attack tomorrow and OF forcing
their surrender
The clash between the two armies was
not unexpected here. For days on end
they have been lying practically idle in
their trenches around Rama, skirmishes
only marring the peace that brooded over
that section. Estrada played waiting
game in the hope that the Zelayan COM
manders would take the initiative and at
tempt the capture of his position, which
we reported to be very strong. Further
more, with the waning of President Ze-
laya's administration there were a large
number of assertions from the Zelayan
army
When Zelaya abdicated and practical
ly made the election of DR.. Madriz as his
successor Estrada determined to strike
Accordingly he moved his army forwaro
yesterday and took the field actively
against his enemy. DR.. Castrillo and his
friends look forward confidently to the
receipt tomorrow of words of a complete
victory and the beginning of the march OF
| the victorious army on the capital.
| None Of the officials of the state de-
partment tonight would discuss the re-
ported victory of Estrada. 1t Is known
however that news was not unwelcome
Had the Zelayan army won over Estrada
this government would have been in g
somewhat embarrassing position, having
| Onpn1y +ho oouco IF the nrOViS