Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-05
No Official Information.

Although determined that the American
soldier reported to be in the hands Of the
Madriz forces shall have humane and
regular" treatment. the officials Of the
State Department admit they are some
what hampered in handling the case at
this stage because of the absence of Off
cial information on the subject.
They are disposed to accept as au-
thentic the press dispatch from San Juan
del Sur, saying that Pittman was cap
tured at Bluefields Bluff and will be
tried by court-martial. 1t Is regarded
as peculiar, however, that the only news
on the subject should come from the
far-distant point of San Juan del Sur
on the Pacific coast.
Pittman was acknowledged to have
been tower Of strength to the Estrad-
lists in Bluefields. If it is true that he
has fallen into the hands of the enemy,
or even has disappeared. that fact, pre-
sumably. would be known to his asso-
ciates in the field.
But so far not a word on the subject
has been received here from either Com
mander Gilner OF the Paducah or from
Consul Moffatt, both Of whom are at
Bluefields.
Hope That Report Is Untrue.
One thing that gives rise to the hope
that the report is a mere war rumor
and that Pittman Is not prisoner Is
that the dispatch Indicates that the
capture was made at the time the
Madriz forces took possession Of the
custom house bluff That engagement
took place moro than q week ago.
Since then the press accounts OF the
hghting around Bi.crelds proper
which resulted in the disastrous de-
feat Of Lara's army. said that Pittman
had taken prominent part in the
operation OF sunken mines, which con-
trtbuted materially to the success Of
the Estradists.
What action this government will take
will largely depend upon the reports
from the United States consuls at Ma
nagua and Bluef1elds and from Com
mander Gilmer. There is no likelihood
that this government will take precipi-
tate action in the case Of Pittham. But
there is every reason to believe that
should he be put to death or subjected
to treatment not accorded to prisoners
of war by civilized nations, the person
or persons responsible will be promptly
brought to account.
The complete route of the Madriz forces
is shown by the belated kilograms re-
seived at the State Department. These
kilograms confirm the reports of the
total defeat of the troops which have
been operating in the neighborhood of
Rama, Nicaragua.
Madriz Forces Pursued.
!. dispatch received today from Consu,
Noffat at Bluefelds, dated last Thurs
day morning. says the whole of the
Madriz forces operating in the vicinity
anna had abandoned their position
after several hours of severe fighting,
and were in full retreat, having left many
dead and wounded on the field. and that
Gen. Mona, in command OF the Estrada
army at Rama. was in hot pursuit.
All dispatches received during the last
several days from the east coast Of Mica
ragua indicate that the Madriz armies at
Bluefields and at Rama practically have
been destroyed and that the end Of fight
ing on the east coast, at least, seems to
be in sight.
So far as known at the State Depart
ment the only force which Madriz now
has on the east coast, except the few
scattered bands now being pursued by
the revolutionary armies. is on Bluefelds
bluff 1t is problematical whether they
will not be taken prisoners.