The Sentinel=record., 1912-09-21
ANNOUNCES HE WILL OPPOSE ADVANCE OF ADMIRAL SOUTH
 IRELAND TO GRANADA.
FIGHTING MAY HAVE BEGUN
southerIand Sends to Manasus for Endorsements -- Conditions at Granada Are Reported Worse
 than in the Congo.

Washington. Sept. 20 Severe
 lighting between American naval tore es and Nicaraguan revolutionists Is
 believed to have occurred in the past few days near Barranoas, although re. ports from the scene are so meagra officials here have no ideG of what has happened. Rear Admiral Souther- land Is in the field, probably with up- wards of 1000 men and, if plans have not miscarried. by this time he has cleared the route of the National rail. way of opposing rebels and relieved the famine threatened city Of Granada.
 European attention to affairs in Mic aragua at this time Is believed to be one of the possibilities of the situa-
 ton. The United States in sending re-
 lief to the beleaguered city. Granada,
 populated by many foreigners, had
 hoped to avert any pretext for landing European military or naval forces on Central American soil. The British consul general at Managua and the British vice consul at Matagalap have reported two British subjects mur- dered by the rebels at Achuapa. It Is expected, however, the Britlt1 govern. ment, before taking action upon it's town account, will await results Of the American campaign
 A delayed cabiegram frorn A3rniral Southerland, dated Mnnaena, n ,. ms Sept. l7. and reporting that Amer
 ican bluejackets and marines were
 fired upon as they attempted to open
 the railway. reached the navy de,
 partment today Delayed reports yes
 terday said the Granada relief party had been fired upon last Sunday; that the officer in command had halted and sent to Managua for reinforce ments and that Admiral Southerlana had gone to the rescue with two companies of marines and a defacn- ment of sailors.
 Whethers there was more firing from the rebels before the additional American force arrived Is not known, but 1t is possible the brush referred to in the dispatch received today, was the one that took place Sunday
 Upon his arrival at Barrancas. Ad- miral Southerland sent woTd to General Zeledon, one of the rebel leaders, that he proposed to open the railroad to Granada and keep it open, and that he would give the rebe!ss; just 24 hours hours to clear the front.
 While Zeledon hesitated, General Mena, principal leader in the reyolu- tion, came northward from Granada with another large force of rebels and joined him. After a consulta- tion. they sent a rormaI defiance to Admiral Southerland. announcing their purpose to oppose his advance.
 It is not known exactly how many sailors composed the admiraps force at that time. but It is believed 1t did not exceed three or four hundred men. At any rate. in view of the large numbers of rebels at his front and unwilling to run the risk of even temporary defeat. the admiral called for endorsements from Managua, where it is believed there still were about 1,500 sailors and marines avail able.
 Official reports to the state le- partment rarely include such severe language as those now issued. dealing with conditions in Granada which, iL is said, are worse than those which existed in the Congo. and in the 
 The rebels, with unparalleled fe- rocity, have turned upon non-combat- ants, even women and children, and their warfare is characterized by return to absolute barbarism Amer lean Minister Weitzel has received a letter from Pedro Rafael Cuadra, the presen minister of finance of President Diaz and from Carcles Ciadra. the Nicaraguan minister Of the mixed claims commission. in which they beg Minister Weitzel to do all he can to protect their families. who are being perseouted at Granada.
 They have learned that General Mena and his agents are prosecuting their relativs, because they them selves are members of the Diaz gov ernment Their brothers. private cit izens, they declare, have been tor tured, deprived of food and obiiged to pay large sums of money for sus tenance when exhausted from lack of nourishment For five days they were confined in tiny. filthy closet, for three days of which they were allowed no food and water. Moreover, Col. Daniel Mena. 1t is reported. has threatened to shoot the Guadra brothers If the government troops at- tack Granada It Is saI1 Mrs. cuadra. wife of the minister Of finance. is he ing hunted in Granada. that she my be tortured.