Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-06-02
MADRIz TROOPS ARE
ROUTED BY ESTRADA
RGVOlutiORSS are StreWiRg the Country
With Dead and Wounded

(via New Orleans, June 2.).-With
attacks directed upon 1t from three
different directions by the troops OF
the Madriz government, Bluefields.
the capital of the Niearaguan insur-
gents, finds itself in a state of prae-
teal siege.
Within the last few days, Estrada,
commanding the insurgents, has re-
pulsed the enemy behind Bluefelds
and at Rama. but has lost the bluff
and the custom house through what
he believes to have been treachery.
This has been the bloodiest work OF
both sides will run into the hun
dreds. including several Americans
who had cast their lots with the
revolutionists,
The first attack made by the Ma
driz troops was made at Rama early
In the week. Rama Is the boosted
stronghold of the insurgents up the
Rama river so miles from Blueields
Estrada now believes Madriz' plans
called for heavy attack at Rama so
that the Madriz troops coming up be-
hind Bluehelds, would find the garri-
son at the town depleted by the
5ithdrawal OF men for the defense of
Rama.
This plan proved only partly sue
cessful and was largely thwarted by
the work of a young American, Phil
Pittman of Boston. who planted a
series of mines around Bluehelds.
Mines Annihilate u Company.
AS the enemy advanced, one OF
these mines was exploded and a COM
pany of Madriz men were almost COM
pletely annihilated Several other
Americans were handling rapid fire
guns behind the fortlfications at the
same time and the ranks OF the ad-
vancing army wavered and then broke
for cover That ended the lighting
behind Bluefields for that day.
Secure behind their Notifications
the Estrada troops reported no loss of
life and estimated the number OF
dead on the other side at from 90
to 100.
SearchIight Put Out of business.
That night General Estrada
brought 900 men from Rama TO re-
inforce his troops behind Bluehelds
and large searchlight. operated by
Guy Maloney of New Orleans and
Samuel Thomas, Boer veteran, was
kept playing in the direction OF the
enemy until a solid shot from one OF
General Lara's guns put II out OF
commission.
On the night OF May 26 about so
of the men stationed at the blun ar
rived at Bluehelds after padding
across the lagoon I'm skiifs. They re-
ported that the BLUM had been cap
tpred and that General Zeiedon. their
commander, had disappeared The
mines which had been placed around
the blum would not explode and th 10y
discovered that some one had tam
pered with the wires.
General ZeIedon Is Criticised.
The Venus had covered the early
approach of the Madriz troops. they
said aud they claimed that General
Zeledon would not permit them to
open Are on the enemy until II was
too late The little improvised gun
boat Blanca fired on the enemy. but
could give them little aid. Several
were killed aud about 30 were re-
ported captured or missing.
In the fighting at Rama william
Ross. said TO be from Milwaukee.
Wis. and 20 have served either In
the United States army or navy, was
killed. Another man named Mason
was also reported killed al Rama.
but this could not be confirmed. He
was last seen IN a trench between
the Madriz army and the insurgent
fortifeations.
MAdriz Troops Routed.
BLUEFIELDs. Nicaragua. June 2
- NbMtAN8 AfpAh the N0AAA t1Ad4
says that Madriz retreat has turned
into a route and that the line OF re-
treat Il marked by many dead and
wounded soldiers.
General LarRs IL endeayoring 10
reach Greytown. where be expects the
Venus 20 take aboard fleeing troops