The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-15
Vim. Pittnan Nsar|y Starves
| In NiCaraguan Prison
DR.. MADR|z ACCOUNTABLE
United States Consul OIivares Finds
Pittman 1 nd Takes Immediate Steps
to See That He Is Made
Comfortable

| Washington, July 14.-Confned in q
filthy cell, unfed save by charitable
strangers, william Pittman, an Amer
lean, captured by the Madriz govern
ment forces near Bluefelds, was found
in an overcrowded local prison at Man
aqua, Nicaragua, by Consul Olivares
yesterday
The consul. who is stationed at the
point, telegraphed the state department
today that he visited Pittman, dis
covered the revolving conditions and
through protests forced DIR. Madriz to
furnish the adventurer better prison
accommodations.
Pittman, whose relatives live in
Cambridge, Mass, told Consul Olivares
that he left Greytown July A. that
since then his captors have failcdiA to
provide him with food, leaving him al
together dependent for subsistence upon
charity. and other atrocities
Pittman said he was starving. Oil
wares in his official capacity protested
at once. He reminded Madriz of his
promise to treat Pittman with consid-
SAeheioii. AiediiH illldlly d6IeeQ TO
transfer Pittman to a larger and clean
er cell and to allow the consul 10
supply him with a sleeping couch and
necessary food
The consul reported that no definite
action regarding Pittman had been de-
termined upon by the de facto au-
thorities and that he, Olivares the
consul, would exert every effort to Sc
cure humane treatment for Pittman.
When the United States originally
learned of Pittmans arrest Dr. Madriz
assured Mr.. Olivares that the prisoner
would be treated fairly and consider
ately. ~
Constant complaints from American
citizens at Matagalpa relative TO
| threats reported made against their
lives and property by agents of the
Madriz government are being received
by United States consular representa-
tives. Consul Olivares cabled to the
state department today that the anti
American feeling in the western part
of Nicaragua, the section under con-
troll of the Madriz faction, Is daily
growing more bitter.
Mr.. Olivares has made vigorous pro-
testations to DR.. Madriz and has reter-
ated to him the warning of Secretary
Knox that the United States govern
ment will hold the Madriz faction strict
ly accountable for the security of Amer
lean life and property.
British and German subjects at Mata-
galpa have appealed to their consus in
Managua for protection. So far no rep
resentations as to these matters have
been made to the German and British
home governments or to Washington.
DrOhahlV becanSa fha Rrt oh, nd
man consuls doubtless are Nicaraguan
merchants of local reputation. Ameri-
can Consul General Eberhardt, who is de-
tailed at large and happens to be in
Nicaragua on a tour of inspection, ca
bled the state department today corrob-
Grating the alarm of foreign residents
over threats of Nicaraguans He stated
that the opinion at Matagalpa was that
these anti-foreign demonstrations were
instigated by the Madriz faction, whose
officials have openly threatened Ameri-
cans and other foreigners.
VIII Appeal to Washington
Cambridge, Mass, July 14.-Edward r
Pittman. brother of william Pittman
who is confined in a prison in Nicaragua.
was surprised tonight to learn that his
brother had been suffering hardships in
jail
Il had been led to believe, from the as
surances which l received from Wash
ington." said Mr.. Pittman, that my
brother was well treated and that the
government was meeting with satisfac-
tory results In its efforts to do some
thing for William. I received a telegram
from Acting Secretary of State Wilson
on June last which was most reassur-
ing, and my mother and I have felt
much relieved. shall make another
appeal to Washington, but 1t seems hard
not to do anything directly for my
brother"