Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-06-04
William Pittham to be
Court MartiaIed for
Aiding Rebels.
NOW HELD PRISONER
Insurgents Completely Triumph
in Another Battle in the
Vicinity of Rama.

San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua, June
William P. Pittham, an American
who laid a mine at Bluefields for the
insurgents, was captured by govern
ment troops and will be court martial
ed.
Takes omciaI Notice.
Washington, June 4.-The state de-
partment has taken cognizance of the
Associated Press dispatch from San
Juan Del Sur, that William Pittham,
an American captured by Madriz's
troops, will be tried by court martial.
A telegram was sent to the Madriz
government stating in effect this gov
ernment expects fair and humane
treatment for Pittham.
Mena Victor in Battle.
Bluefelds, Nicaragua, June A.
Advices received here state the insur-
gent forces under Mena at Rama de-
feated and put to flight the govern
ment troops commanded by Chavarria.
Thursday Mena, having received re-
Inducements, sent message to the
Madriz forces, then in a fortified posi-
tion on a hill, to surrender or fight
within II hours. Chavarria's reply
was an attempt to escape to the in
terror, but the insurgents intercepted
them, and after a three hours battle
the government troops were thorough
ly demoralized and fed in every direc-
ton.
Helped by ChnmorrO.
Following the withdrawal Of the
Madriz forces from the immediate vi
oinity OF this city Chamorro with 400
men was dispatched to Rama to re-
inforce Mena Chamorro arrived at
Rama Thursday morning and Mena at
once sent a messenger to the govern
ment headquarters in the field offer
ing Chavarria IL hours in which to
surrender or fight.
In reply Chavarria made dash from
the fortified position on the hill close
to Rama with the object. it is said, of
escaping to the interior.
Cuts on Retreat.
When Mena learned the enemy was
escaping he sent Recreo with a strong
force to curt off its retreat. An engage
ment followed and continued for three
hours, when the troops of Madriz be-
came thoroughly demoralized and fed
in every direction, leaving their dead
and wounded on the field
Thursday evening Thomas p Moffat,
the American consul, issued a procla-
nation declaring vessels entering the
port of Bluefelds must pay custom
duties to the government headed by
Estrada. the revolutionary leader.
Subsequently the schooner Caye en-
tered the barbor and was not inter
fered with by government officials who
are in possession of the custom house
on the Bluefields bluff.
victory for Estrada.
The action of the United States in
ruling that the revolutionists may re-
ceive custom duties has been received
with enthusiasm and is considered a
great victory for Estrada. It's effect
is to rob the government of the fruits
of its capture of the Bluehelds bluf
and the custom house which, after
having been seized by the insurgents,
were recently taken by troops loyal
to Madriz The American decision
also destroys the effectiveness of the
governments steamer, Venus. which is
lying off BluefieIds. but is rendered
impotent TO aid Madriz in subduinG
the rebellious territory on the Atlantic
coast
II is believed here Mena has by this
time surrounded and captured Cha
varria's army.