The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-09-25
VAR IN NICARAGUA.
AMERICAN MARINES BATTLE
WITH REyOLUTIONIsTS.
Details Are Not Known, IA News
From Nicaragua Has Been Of
Rather Eragmeutary Character.

ofionus oakoo ohhndSua, IL O'CLOCK ID.
m. September II. indicates that u
battle has been fought between tho
American naval forces and the rep
els at Barrancas. IL miles south OF
Managua. aid an equal distance from
Granada. which the naval expedition
was seeking To- relieve. The blue
jackets and marines were fired upon
by the rebels. Their leaders refused
Admiral Southerland.s demand to
open the way southwark and he sent
for achievements from Managua.
Severe fighting between American
naval forces and Nicaraguan revolu-
tionists Is believed to have occurred In
the past few days near Barranca. al
though reports from the scene are so
meagre that officials here have no
definite idea OF what has happened.
Rear Admiral Southerland Is in the
field. probably with upwards of 1000
men. and IL plans have not miscar-
ried. by this time he has cleared the
route OF the national railway of op-
posing rebels and relieved the ssmine
threatened city Of Granada.
European attention to affairs In
Nicaragua at this time vs. believed TO
be one Of the possibilities Of the sit
uation- The Washington government
In sending relief to the beieaguered
city. Granada. populated by many
foreigners. had hopes to avert any
pretext for landing European miii-
tary or naval forces on Central Amer,-
can soil.
The British consul general az Mana
qua and the British consul at Mata-
salpa have reported two British sub
jects murdered by the rebels at
Achuapa. 1t Is expected. however.
that the British government. before
taking action upon its own account.
will await the results of the Ameri-
can campaign A delayed cablegram
frOm AAntEnA, southsrlsnd. dated
Afanagua IL o'clock. September Is.
and reporting that American blue
Jackets and marines we're fired upon
as they attempted to open the rail-
way. reached the navy department to-
day.
Delayed reports yesterday said the
Granada relief party had been fired
upon last Sunday: that the officer In
command had halted and sent to
Managua for reinforcements. and that
Admiral Southerland had gone to the
rescue with two companies OF ma
rines and a detachment OF sailors.
Whether or not there was more fir
ing from the rebels before the addi-
tional force arrived la not known. but
IL Is possible that the brush referred
TO In the dispatches received today
was the one that took place Sunday.
Upon his arrival at Barrancas Ad-
miral Southerlano sent word to Gen.
Zeladon. one of the rebel leaders
that he proposed to- open the railroad
TO Granada and keep II open. and
that he would give the rebels just "a
hours To- clear the front.
While Zeladon hesitated Gen. Mena.
the principal leader I'm the revoiu-
ton. came northward from Granada
with another large force of rebels and
Joined him. After n consultation they
sent n formal announcement To Ad-
mirai Switzerland. announcing their
purpose TO oppose his advance.
IL Is not known exactly how many
sailors or marines composed the ad-
mirals force at that time. but II Is
believed that IL did not exceed 500 or
900 men. At any rate. in view OF
the large number OF rebels I'm his
front. and unwilling To- run the risk
OF even temporary defeat. the admiral
called for reinforcements from Mana
qua. where II IL believed there were
still about 500 sailors and marines
available. so as To make sure OF over
powering any opposition that the
rebels might offer.
Official reports To the state depart
ment rarely include such severe Ian
gauagc as those which are now issued,
dealing with the conditions I'm Grana-
da. which II II said "are worse than
those which existed In tho Congo. and
the PutumayO." The rebels with
unparalleled ferocity have turned
upon women and children. and their
warfare Is characterized by return
10 absolute barbarism.
American Minister Weitscl has a
letter from Pedro Rafael Guardra.
present minister ~ flLanCe Of Presl-
dent Diaz. and from Carlos Culedra.
Ahn NIcnrnnnnn rnnrnhnr II H..