The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-10-06
Four Marines Killed in the Battle of Burranca
in Nicaragua Which Means End of the
Revolution.
UNCLE SAM IN CENTRAL AMER|C
Machine Guns Operated By Marines Did The
Work In Half Hour Which Routed the
Rebel Forces.

the result of an ultimatum delivered
to the Nicaraguan government-and
through them to the rebel generals,
Luis Mena and Zeledon-that the
United States has moral mandate to
exert its influence for the preserya-
tion of the general peace of Central
America, because of important
moral. political and material inter-
ests to be protected" The marines
landed at Managua were to enforce
this decree On Sept. 19, the defiant
rebel leader Zeledon, who had preyi-
ously guaranteed the troops safe
passage through Barranca-two prom
ontories which guarded the American
ava to Granada broke, faith, and four
marines were wounded by shots
treacherously fired in the dark.
The Battle of Barranca.
Admiral Switzerland, commanding
the American forces, was under in
structions to keep the railroad and
telegraph lines open, in order that
American citizens at Masaya and
Granada and Leon might have an
avenue of escape In case OF rebel
atrocities. The Americans nd many
of the foreigners at Masaya and
Granada were also suffering from
famine.
In the face of the gradual closing
of railroad communication and re-
peated atrocities by the revolutionists,
Admiral Switzerland demanded that
Zeledon evacuate his position at Bar
ranca. Zeledon refused, but he fled
leaving his forces strongly entrenched
but leaderless. Yesterday, the TINA
limit set by Admiral Switzerland for
compliance with his ultimatum expir-
ed, and with a strong force of Mic
araguan federal troops, the battle OF
Barranca was begun
Divided into two detachment, the
their machine guns, raked the rebel
entertainments with a murderous
cross-ire. The Nicaraguan troops
stormed the stronghold, when the reb-
els batteries had been silenced The
battle lasted thirty-seven minutes.
Uncle Sans machine guns in that
space of time accomplished that for
which the Nicaraguan troops had
been striving for three weeks.
Zeledon, fleeing toward Costa Rica
with twenty-five of his lieutenants,
was captured by federal cavalry
squad who accidentally crossed his
path. short engagement ensued,
zeledou was wounded and died within
an hour The other fugitives were
captured.
Z
One Hundred Killed.
Admiral Southerland's dispatches to
the navy department tonight said that
the federal's loss was about 100 kill
ed and 200 wounded No estimata
has yet been made of the heavy rebel
casualties. That the battle means
the end of the revolution, and the
restoration of normal conditions in
Nicaragua, as well as salutary ex-
ample to other turbulent Latin-Ameri-
can countries, was the belief of off.
cials here tonight.
Now, the Americans attention Id
aimed at General Irias, Costa Rican
malcontent, who sought to join Zele-
don and Mena. He is near Leon Or.
ders were issued tonight to Meuten-
ant Colonel Long to proceed against
Irias. Long has 1900 men, the first
and second marine battalions and all
of the bluejaciets of the California
and the Colorado He is expected to
force the capitulation or flight of the
| remaining rebels with little trouble.
Under instruction from the Nicara-
guam minister of foreign affairs, Min
lister Castrillo of the Nicaraguan lega-
tion here called at the state depart
ment today and expressed profound
sympathy of his government, because
of the American 'osses in battle. He
said the citizens of Granada as the
tribute of sympathy and gratitude,
wished the dead Americans buried at
that city with national honors. 1t Is
thought, however, that the bodies
/ will be returned here and probably
inferred at Arlington.