Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-03-31

stationed IN nicaragua tney CiedHcu up Iidlu
and Santo Domingo; they are policing Cuba
they are always on the job. Don't you owe it
to them and to your country to know little
more about them? BY sending your name and
address with 2-cent stamp for return post
age, you can secure beautiful free booklet
telling all about the life they lead and the
wonderful things they do. This artistic little
book is so fine that you will want to keep it
in your library. Ask for the Marines Book
and address The Omaha Bee, Information
Bureau, Washington, D. c.
Santo Domingo City, Santo Domingo, March
2O.-Hcre in the Republic of Santo Domingo
there has been fought, and still is being fought to
some extent, one of the funniest little wars in the
history of American arms The trouble started
last April when the president Of this nation tried
to fire the secretary of war. whereupon the secre-
tary of war chased the president out of the CAPT
tai and the president with an army OF 3s7 laid
American navy, who was down in this part Of the
world to keep order, then took hand in the game
by giving the usurper, General Arias, twenty-four
hours to get out Of the city. General Arias got
In order to make this job Of keeping order
complete, it was now necessary to follow and dis
perse the army of the revolutionary general,
which had retired to the interior. Accordingly
100 marines under the command of Brigadier
General Joseph H. Pendleton was landed at
Monte Christi a port on the other side of the
island. The main force of marines under Colonel
Dunlop was to advance upon Santiago from this
point, while hanking movement was executed
by Major Baerss.
The marines had their usual arms and equip
rhent and nothing more. They organized sup
ply and hospital train by ifnpressng all Of the
automobiles in the town, but in very few miles
these had to be abandoned, and few carts, la
boriousy dragged through the mud by four mules
Aarb cd az W. eff
behind. The Santo Domingo mules soon began
to get tired and stick in the mud, so that they
required much assistance from the soldiers, while
a keen competition in stealing mules from each
other developed between thS various divisions.
The most spectacular and remarkable part Of
this army was the cavalry which was the per-
cursor Of the several very competent trops Of
horse marines" which now police the country.
This first troop was not very competent. 1t con-
tanned eighteen men who were mounted on ponies,
mules and burros. These mounts being some
what poorly fed, developed tendency to stop
and Craze under FIRE or during charge
The decisive battle took place at Guayacanes,
where the rebel forces took up strongly en-.
trenched position, which the Americans carried
only after stubborn fight The leader Of the
rebels, Maximeto Cabral, was killed fighting
alone in the trenches after all Of his followers
were dead or driven away.
This defeat dispersed and disheartened the
rebel army. The rest of the march to Santiago
was made with little difficulty, and the force
joined that of Major Baerss, which had encoun-
tered nothing but few snpers.
The fall Of Santiago was merely the beginning
Of the marines work. The interior of Santo
Domingo, half Wilderness and without roads,
Is in somewhat the Condition Of Europe in the
middle ages. There are number of native lead
ers, most of whom own lands, that have gathered
about them large following. Theoretically citi-
zens Of republic, they are in fact feudal barons,
acknowledging no law and no government.
One of the most formidable Of these native
leaders was disarmed without the firing Of shot
and by single man. Olivario is the name Of this
chieftain, but he Is always called the "Hombre de
Dios" oman Of Cod. He lived In the San Juan
valley and was genuine independent sovereign
in his own little way; for he never joined any Of
feated all Of the forces sent against him by its
various governments.
This remarkable man met his match in Lieu
tenant Fuerlein, Swiss soldier Of fortune, re-
tanned by the American because Of his knowledge
of the country and the people. To Fuerlen was
assigned the JOB Of taking away frsm the Hobmre
de Dios the 800 rifles with which the native baron
had equipped his followers. Fuerlen went alone,
with two revolvers, one oflwhich was concealed,
and compass.
It will be remembered that the American gum
boat Memphis was washed ashore at Santo Do
mingo by tidal wave not long ago, and still lies
upon the beach there. Now the Hombre de Dios,
in accordance with his pretension, had informed
his followers that he had caused the ocean to rise
up and smite the battleship Of the Amercanos.
Fuerlein sent messenger and asked Olivario to
meet him in an open field for friendly parley.
Olivario came with all his followers drawn up be-
hind him. He threw down his revolver and came
forward, as did Fucrlein, each having other arms
concealed about him.
Fuerlein had secretly located the old chief with
the help of several scouts but he now produced
instrument which had pointed out the stronghold
OF the Hombre de Dios with its little iron hand.
He then told the old man he was an agent Of the
United States army, which had so many soldiers
that il brought to the island they would fill it
standing shoulder to shoulder. He had come, he
said, because he had heard that the Hombre de
Dios had BY his power caused the sea to cast up
the gunhoat Memphis. He requested the Hombre
de Dois Immediately to use his great power to
have the Memphis set aAoat again; otherwise. he
said, II might be necessary to bring the United
States army against him.
Old oivario was beaten at he own game Of,
bluff. He was completely. awed BY the magic of
Fuerlein's compass and also by the tremendous
power which stood behind the little Swiss. He
admitted that he could not take the Memphis of
the beach, and also the corollary fact that he had
not put it there. Fuerlein congratulated him on
this fortunate state Of affairs. He then explained
that the United States requested the cooperation
OF the great Hombre de Dios in disarming the peo-
pie of Santo Domingo so that order might be re-
stored there and the country realize its great and
brilliant future The United States government
knew that there were some 500 rifles among the
people OF the San Juan valley. The Hombre de
Dios was requested to use his great power to
place these arms in the hands Of the government.
Which the Hombre de Dios did; Fuerlen brought