The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-08-22
500 SOLDIERS
ARE MASSACREO
insurgents Slaughter Nicaraguan
Troops on Guard.
CLASH WITH AMERICANS DUE
The Rebels Capture the Garrison at
Leon After a Fierce Battle and
Proceed to BrutaIly Muir
der Citys Defenders.

Managua, Nicaragua, Sunday, Aug.
10. - Delayed in Transmission y
Nearly the entire detachment of 500
Nicaraguan troops, comprising the
garrison of the city of Leon, north of
Managua, was mastered by force of
insurgents last night according to re-
ports which reached the capitol to-
day.
On Friday news was received by
the government that the liberals at
Leon had risen in revolt and General
Chamorro dispatched troops to sup
press the movement and reinforce
the city. The government troops on
reaching Leon camped on the plaza
in the center of the town. The insur-
gents, who greatly outnumbered the
government force, attacked the city
Saturday and after fierce engage
ment the garrison surrendered.
Instead of holding their captives as
prisoners of war after the submission
lit is reported the troops were slaugh-
tered by the rebels. Out of force OF
five hundred all were killed except
seventy five. Following the repulse of
the insurgents last Wednesday night
after four days battle at Managua.
lin which the American marines and
blue jackets from the gun boat Anna
polls and from Panama played prom
linent part as defenders of the capt.
toll. the insurgents retired, ostensibly
! to Masaya. the capitol of the depart
ment of the same name, lying to the
south of Managua.
Lieutenant Edward H. Conger, of
the American marine battalion now
stationed at Managua, returned to the
capitol this afternoon from Masaya,
where he went to confer with GEN
leral Mena. The lieutenant, after a
consultation with the Nicaraguan Off
iciaIs, again returnedsto the southern
city. Lieutenant Conger reports that
General Mena is very sick man,
and that the liberal generals. Febit
and Amenda, are in command of the
insurgents in the south.
Clash With Americans Due.
Washington, D. c., Aug. 2l.-More
American blue jackets and marines,
| 1t was made apparent to government
officials today, probably will be re-
quired to be landed on Nicaraguan
soil If the safety of American life and
property there is to be assured. For
the present, Managua, the capitol
with the American railroad station.
ha
residences of the American customs
officials and many others is consider.
ed safe, but American Minister Welt
eel, after consultation with Colonel
Smedley d. Butler, who Is in COM
mand of the American marine forces
in Managua, has informed this gov
lernment that he has taken notice OF
the report that General ZeledOn, one
of the rebel leaders, has promised his
men that they may sack and pillage
the capitol and he has determined
that they shall not be allowed to do
so.
There is grave apprehension of a
clash between the American forces
ltDclo, "Ho appear W
assumed an overbearing attitude. In
this connection it is reported that
when Minister Weitzel undertook to
communicate directly with General
Mena. supposedly the head of the re-
Evolutionary movement, his messenger,
Lieutenant f. H. Conger, a marine
officer, though travelling under a flag
of truce, was arbitrarily detained by
General Zeledon at Masaya or Bara-
naca. Upon learning of his detention
the American minister dispatched a
note of protest to General Zeledon by
a special legation messenger on Sun
day night. Lieutenant Conger return
ed safely to Managua after having
delivered WeitzePs note to General
Mena.