Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-24
FIGHT At bLUEF|ELDS
Madriz Army Attacks Insur-
surgents.
CONSUL SENDS DISPATCH
Gen. Cooley Has Been Within Strik-
ing Distance for Weeks-Prob-
ably Awaited Venus.

Government forces under Gen. Riyas
have made an attack in force on the in
surgents under Estrada, who were in
trenched back of BluefieldS, Nicaragua,
says a dispatch which reached the State
Department today from Consul Moffat
at Bluefields.
The dispatch contains no details APP
parently it was sent shortly after the
opposing forces.
Madriz Army Near Bluefields.
For several weeks a force of govern
ment troops. commanded by Cen Pauline
Cooley inspector general of the Nicara-
guam army. and Gen. Lara. has been
within few miles of the city of Blue
fields, awaiting instructions from head
quarters to attack the insurgents.
1t was believed that the delay in the
issuance of orders to move upon Blue
fields for the purpose of enabling
Gen. 1rias. commanding the government
steamer Venus. with 800 soldiers on
board. to reach the port of BluefeldS. SO
a concerted attack from both sea and
land might take place.
Bluefelds No battle-ground.
The United States is probably the
most interested spectator of the STIR
ring events now in progress at Blue
fields. Two American gunboats, the
Paducah and the Dubuque. lie in the
harbor, fully prepared to enforce the
policy adopted by the State Depart
ment for the protection of American
lives and property.
In execution of specific instructions
the American naval commander has no.
titled the commanders of MadrlZ
forces that they must not attack the
city either by land or water. and also
has notified the commanders of both
Madriz's and Estrada's armies that they
will not be allowed to hight within the
limits of BluefieldS.
Whether that ultimatum will be fully
respected remains to be seen. 1t al
ways has been extremely difficult to
control soldiers flushed with victory
Nav Assure Asylum to Estrada.
Certain diplomats who have studied the
fields can be captured by Madriz forces
or how Estrada can be diSlOdSed if he
seeks shelter there if the MadriZ forces
are not permitted to enter the city. re-
gardlesS of the result of the battle re-
ported to be in progress.
The report from Bluefields that Estrada
has again appealed to the United States
to intervene in the dispute and take
charge of Nicaraguan affairs is not taken
seriously here. If so. it indicates that
ESTRADA realizes lildt HIS cause II ioSt
unless the strong arm of the United
States is raised in his defense.
No confirmation has been received here
of the report that Madriz has protested
to European governments against the in
reference of the United States in the
movement for the suppression of the Es-
trada revolution.
Stone Asks Regarding Interference.
Senator Stone today introduced a reso-
luton interrogating the Secretary of State
regarding the reported attempt of the
Madriz Nicaraguan government to estab-
lish a blockade at Bluefields The de-
partment is requested to state whether
the naval force of the United States for
bade the blockade.
If the response should be in the affirma-
tive, Mr.. Stones resolution demands the
reason for it with a citation of authority
1t also asks for informal ton as to wheth-
er the United States has recognized
belligerency in Nicaragua.
Present consideration of the resolution
was objected to. The question went over.
Venus Lands Troops to Join in Battle
BLUEFIELDS, Nicaragua. May "a
Gen. Lara. commanding force of gov
ing the provisional governments position
at the rear Of Bluefelds.
The government steamer Venus is land
ing 500 troops off a lagoon. twenty-siX
miles north of Bluefelds bluff. for the
purpose of attacking the bluff in conjunc-
ton with Gen. Lara's force back of Blue
6eIds