Arizona republican., 1910-01-03
Estrada and Madriz.

Now that Zelaya is out of the way, Nicaragua will soon choose-by the issue of battle or otherwise-whether Madriz or Estrada shall govern the l country. It is likely that the influeace of the United States will ultimately settle the question. In view of the anarchy which has prevailed in Nic- aragua, it is desirable that the man installed in the presidential chair shall i be an improvement. at least. oyer Zelaya. Americans have gained the impression from the news r ports that Estrada would make good president. But according to Nr John T. Mccall, an American of long res idence in Nicaragua, MadriZ is the better man of the two. and Uncle Sam will make a mistake if he takes any hand in placing Estrada in office ln- stead of Madriz. Concerning the si.- uation down there. MT. Mccall writes:
 Tt is well to take into cOnsidera- ton that SO far all the triumphs. imaginary or real. which have been gained by Estrada have been accom- plished on the Atlantic side of the republic, which from the time the revolution began has been the only stronghold of the revolutionary party. The scenes of Estrada's campaign are from 150 to 200 miles from Man agua, the capital, and to reach the seat of government General Estrada will have to march his army through section of say almost impossible country, where the soil Is sandy, which impedes progress. and where the underbrush is not unlike that of a jungle. It is probably the most impossible section of country in Nicaragua.
 Tt was through this section that the government troops were forced to march from the Pacific side to en- counter the Estrada forces. These troops, because of the almost inn .penetrable condition of the forest. were naturally poorly provisioned and in no condition to engage in a con flict such as has been reported as having taken place at Rama. To reach Managua, the capital. which is the goal of Estrada's ambition. he will be forced to march his army through this very section. and in order to hope for any material triumphs he has got to encounter obstacles which doubt if he can overcome. Should he reach Managua. or even approach it. he will be met by an army for midable enough, in my opinion, to annihilate him.
 Tn my opinion the people will keep on fighting so long as Estrada is in the field. or at least until a recognition is made of the election of Jose Madriz. the newly elected president. who by the way is a gen tleman of high integrity, a lawyer by profession. and capable of restor- ing peace and establishing a stable government He is a man of -orce, and in no way is be nor will he be dominated by Zelaya or anyone else. It was Zelaya who forced MadriZ in to exile. and it was not until Ze- laya's resignation that Mir. MadriZ was able to return to his own cOun- try When he did return he received the plaudits of the people, who know him and who have faith in him.
 General Estrada is an 'undesira- ble citizen He is of mixed blood. half Spanish and half negro. He is reckless to a degree. In the opinion of thousands of Nicaraguans he is not the kind ci man who should be entrusted with presidential authority. It was President Zelaya who took the revolutionary leader from the trenches and advanced his fortunes. By degrees he gained the confidence of President Zelaya when the latter was instrumental in his being made governor of Bluefieids. This was his rise to power and from that day to the present he has constantly had on exhibition his ingratitude to the man who made him. Unless the election of Madriz is accepted by the people it will be a long time before the revo- lution is brought to an end, no mat. ter what may be the action of Secre- tary Knox. who it seems is the one great friend Estrada has at Washing ton"