Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-09
Decisive Battle Is Imminent at
BluefieIds.
MADRIZ ARMY TO ATTACK
Onslaught by Land and Sea to Be
Made on Estrada Stronghold.
MYSTERY AS TO THE VENUS
Doubt Regarding Vessels Move
ments After Leaving New
Orleans.

Administration officials here feel that the
revolution in Nicaragua is nearing a cri-
sis. According to latest advices. a de-
cisive battle is imminent at Bluefelds be-
tween the forces Of Estrada. in possession
of that town, and the forces OF Madriz.
concentrated near Greytown. short dis
lance south. As understood here, the
Madriz. or government. forces plan 10 at
tack the Estrada stronghold with view
to compelling the rebels TO surrender or
to abandon their position.
The plan involves a simultaneous at
tack by land and sea with the full
strength of the Madriz forces. The con-
verted gunboat Venus. which recently
cleared from New Orleans with arms and
ammunition for the government forces,
is counted on an important factor in
the operations. She is the main reliance
for the sea attack.
There is great mystery as to the move
ments of that vessel After leaving the
United States she stopped at Belize.
British Honduras, where she mounted her
heavy guns and fitted out as a gunboat.
with view of running hte so-called Es-
trada blockade at Greytown. After land
ing rifles and ammunition for the army
on shore. she was to cooperate In the at
tack on Bluefields. destroying, it possible,
til four smaller vessels used by the rs
trada forces. Although not officially con-
firmed. it is reported that the Venus has
already arrived at Greytown and landed
a large supply of military stores and also
| that the army began the march to Blue
fields yesterday.
Gen. Altschul. formerly NicaraRuan
consul general at New Orleans. Joined
| the Venus on her voyage to Nicaragua
and. it is said. will have charge OF the
naval operations against Bluefelds. 1t
is known that there are several expert
British and American gunners on the
Venus. That vessel left New Orleans
| under the British flag, but now displays
the Nicaraguan flag.
Estrada's Small Navy.
| The Estrada navy consists Of one
| small gunboat and three tugs, armed
| With Hotchkiss guns, and, it is said,
will endeavor to prevent the Venus
from entering the harbor Of Bluefelds.
Whether the effort will be successful
| remains to be seen. The Estrada
sympathizers in the United States en-:
deav0red to secure the cooperation OF
| the Z. s. S. Dubuque and Paducah, now
patrolling the east coast OF Nicaragua,
in seizing or destroying the Venus, on
| the ground that the vessel was operat-
| ing in violation of the neutrality law.
After full consideration Of the ques-
| ton. the authorities Of this govern
cumstances of the case did not Justify
forcible interference by the United
States That explains why the Venus
was permitted to complete her trip to
1t is possible. however. that the
United State navy may become involved
in the impending battle al Bluefelds.
The naval officer in command of the
American forces at that town is charged
with the protection Of the loves and
property Of American citizens. and it
| is easy to see how these may be
| jeopardized by a bombardment or the
town or a serious battle in its vicinity.
| On that account the omcials of the
government are anXfously awaiting
news Of developments in the situation
in that quarter.
A press dispatch says that the residents
of Bluefields are n a state of terror over
the reported approach in overwhelming
numbers of the Madriz forces.
Another Appeal to United States.
Meanwhile another appeal has been re-
ceived at the State Department from
| Nicaragua for immediate Intervention.
The appeal says that only the United
States can restore Nicaraguas political
equilibrium, and the suggestion is made
that it can be done by the landing OF
troops and the supervision Of honest
elections, as was done in Cuba and
Panama.
The document was drawn up by Mica
raguan lawyer at Bluefields. who says II
has the Endorsement OF 81 per cent OF the
countryS landhOlders.
Speculation as to Venus.
NEW ORLEANS May 9-The where
abouts of the steamship Venus. which.
loaded with arms and ammunition. and
according to allegations OF the Eicara-
guam insursent faction here Carrying sew
erl large guns which were to be mounted
on the vessel. sailed from this city May
1. ostensibly for Greytown, Nicaragua. is
a mystery.
Later it was asserted that the vessel
put into either a Mexican or Honduran
port. changed it's register, and, sailing
the Nicaraguan flag, proceeded i'm sup
port of the Madriz government to Blue
fields.
From New Orleans to Bluefelds is a
trip ordinarily OF FIVE days, but eight
days have passed since the departure of
the Venus. 1t has been reported the
Venus was about to attack Bluefelds in
conjunction with the movement OF an
armed land force from the Madriz gov
eminent.