The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-06
MADR|z PLEDGES
FAIR TREATMENT
-------
Has Not Even Thought
of Court Martial for
Prisoner.
PITTMAN'S LIFE
NOT ENDANGERED
Nioaragua's President Realizes
That if Harm Comes to Boston
Soldier of Fortune, This
Government Will Step In
and Take Charge of
Country's Affairs.

Washington. June 5.--1f pledges
given by Madriz. head of the de facto
government of Nicaragua. to the state
upon. william Pittman, the young Bos-
ton soldier Of fortune. who laid the
mines around Blucnelds for the Es-
trada army and was captured by the
Madriz troops, is in no apparent dan
ger.
Madriz. through the American con-
sulate At Managua. has assured the
State Department that a court-martial
for Pittman has not only not been
ordered. but has not even been thought
of, and that Pi;tman will receive fair
treatment
The department this afternoon sent
to Edwin f. Pittman. OF Cambridge.
Mass, paraphrase of message re-
ceIved this morning BY the department
from the United states consulate.
Edwin F. Pitiman IS a relative Of the
young soldier OF fortune. and the State
Departments message TO him is in re-
sponse TO inquiries received from cam
bridge yesterday
In response to Inquiries made prior
% your telegram OF yesterday evening"
Assistant Secretary of state Wilson
talcgraphed Mr. Pittman. Il am happy
to inform YOU that the department has
Just received from the consulate at
Managua telegram. dated this morn
ing. OF which the following is d para
phrase.
June 4, 2 p. M.-Dr, Aradriz has just
assured me through General Toledo
that court-martial has not been
thought OF. much less ordered. and has
further assured me thar Pi;trpap wils
be traeted fairly and considerateiy,
and that teIcGraphsc instructions Will
be Immediately dispatched to General
Jrias, at Greytown. lie has also in
formed me that the report hitherto re-
ccived from General lrias relative to
William T. Pittman Is vague
omcials Confident.
officials ui tne State Department to-
day feel absolutely con1ldent that the
Madriz forces in Nicaragua VIII not
dare TO execute William =. P!ttman,
the young Bostonian who laid the de-
coy mines near Bluefieids on behalt
OF Estrada, the revolutionist leader.
The Secretary of state. Mr. Knox,
does not entertain any idea that Ma
GflG VIII repeat tht pSiAoi4iiaitSS VI
Zelaya, who practically murdered the
two Americans. Groce and Cannon,
and was cNpatriatcd by this country
US punishment for his act.
The Department OF state feels sure
that the note II sent to Commander
Gilmcr of the Paducah. yesterday, in
structing him to see TO IL that the
Madriz people know that this govern
ment will seek the severest reparation
in case anything of harm should hap
pen TO pittman will save the brave
American.
Nothing has been left undone 10
protect Pittman. The note sent by
NIr. Knox is the only step the depart
meDt will take unless there is strong
er indication of Madrzs Intention to
deal unfairly with Pittnan.
Letters have been sent to Mr. Knox
by Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts,
and BY Mrs. Pittman. of Boston, moth
CIR of the young man, and to these the
department replies that 1t feels sure
of his safety.
Madriz. IL is believed, realizes fully
that this country Will Immediately in
tervene in Nicaragua and take control
Of the government should harm befall
Fittman.
He was taken as a prisoner OF war
In the midst of an act of great dar-
Ing, and there Is no law of warfare
which could sanction his execution.
lie had laid the mines which blew to
atoms many OF Madrizs men, and was
In the act of relaying them when he
was captured.