The Sentinel=record., 1912-08-16
STATE DEPARTMENT RUSHING MORE BLUE JACKETS TO
 SCENE OF FIGHTING.
MINISTER GIVEN FREE REIN
United States Browns Down Wanton Slaughter of Women and Chit dren by the Rebel Armies Att
 tacking Nicaraguan Capital,

Washington, Aug. 15.-The collier Justin, the state department has learned, arrived at Corinto today with $50 marines under command of Maj Smedley Butler, who reported at once to Captain Terhune, commanding the gunboat Annapolis, who has been full authority to deal with the mili- tary situation Tn Nicaragua as it affects American interests. It is be- lieved, this marine force was at once dispatched to Managua, a six hours railroad ride from Corinto.
 How this force will be used depends entirely upon the will of American Minister Weitzel He has alreadp pro- tested to the rebels against lombard ment. of Managua, filled as it is with women and children and nbn-com- batants If his force is not suffi- cient to stop the bombardment, off cials feel assured that he will hold the city until endorsements from Pana- ma or the blue jackets of the Denver, now enroute to COrinto, can be placed at his disposal.
 The state department has let ia be understood that it does not propose to tolerate the lawless smelling and killing of helpless women and chil- dren and endangering American lives and seizing and destroying American property. The officials are qoite em- phatic in pointing out that Gen. Mena, the head of the revolution, has com pletely alienated the sympathies of this government by his conduct of the 1 rebellion.
 Related cablegrams received at the state department from American Min ister Weitzel lives a vivid picture of the conflict at Managua, which began last Sundoy morning when Gen. Eel don, in command of the rebels south of Managua opened fire on the city from the vicinity of Momotombo.
 At o'clock in the afternoon in surgent officers Gen Murillo and Col Rostran attacked the penitentiary with infantry and rapid fire guns in an attempt to liberate the prisoners and at o'clock 100 men under cover of artillery fire. attempted to enter the city from the lake but were re- pulsed and 25 of them captured. Throughout the night firing continued at intervals. Of the rebels Zeldon had 500: Thomas 600 and Murillo 500, while the government force under Gen Emiliano Chamorro was about $500. The government firing line under command of Gen Frutos Be lanco faced Zeldon's division and re- ceived the brunt of the firing.
 At 6 o'clock Monday morning Zele- don renewed the attack, firing shell and solid shot from a three inch rifle into the city at the rate of 20 an hour, directed principally towards the presidents palace Only one projec- tile reached the executive mansion, The president and his cabinet con tinued to perform their official duties The Chilean consulate and the house of MT. Homm, the American collector general of customs, were hit and the residence fthe German consul sui fered severely. The American guard estimated that a total of 200 shells fell in the city, resulting in the death and wounding of twelve women and children.
 During the bombardment, Gen, Thomas attempted to take the govern ment position at La Lona by assault form the southeast, to which the gov  ernment vigorously replied with can non and the ire from the men in the trenches.
 After two hours fighting the rebels withdrew Later they resumed firing on the city and the government forces planted field pieces 1000 yards east of the American legation. while two of the government boats protected the lake front and under the governments cannonadng the rebels retreated un- til evening, when they began dropping shells into the city. They continued this during the night.
 The casualties are reported heavy, particulary among the rebels. Ths government captured 25,000 rounds Of ammunition and two rapid fire guns, disabling two more, Col. Rostran was killed. Gen Thomas is said to be seriously wounded while Captain Manuel Chammorro, of the govern ment forces was mortally wounded The American foreman of the electric light plant, upon which the rebel fire was concentrated was wounded While Managua was under lombard ment Sunday the rebels were defeated at the town of Madame, Gen Mena's place of residence. by the government forces under Gen Masis.