Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-21
SANDING PREPARES
FOR NEW ATTACK
Intercepted Messages Show
Plan to Seize Key to Ma
nagua Occupied by Marines.

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, July FL
Notwithstanding the defeat with
numerous casualties which his rebel
band suffered at the hands of Ameri.
can Marines and native constabulary
at Ocotal, Gen. SANDING hopes to cap
ture Tiscapa Fort, which controls the
city of Managua, now occupied by
Marines.
An intercepted message addressed
by SANDING to his wife. reads: cal
though they believe me weak, shall
soon occupy the Tiscapa Fortress"
Another message signed by SANDING,
which was sent the day after the
Ocotal battle and picked up by tele.
graph operator at San Fernando. says
the "only one responsible for what
has happened here Is the President of
the United States, Calvin Coolidge.
who has supported Adolfo Diaz" Ohe
Conservative President OF Nicaragua.
This message, addressed to ''all
authorities, civil and military" to ex-
plain why the Ocotal attack took
place, declares that SANDING and his
men desired to show they continued
to defend the constitutionality of DIR.
Juan Sacasa former Liberal Presi-
dent). to dispel the idea that they were
bandits, and to prove that they pre-
ferred death to slavery.
Planes Report Activities.
United States planes reaching
Managua after "Reminiscences in the
| Ocotal region have reported a few
bands of rebels under SANDING at
Chilpote and other concentrations of
rebel forces to the southeast Of Ocotal.
Maj. Ross E. Rowell, in command
of the aviation squadron, has sent by
air to Ocotal a small field piece and
some machine guns, and reinforce
ments under Maj. Floyd are expected
momentarily at Ocotal, so the garrison
will be prepared for any emergency.
1t was Maj. Rowell who led five
bombing planes to the attack at
Ocotal, which was largely responsible
in dispensing the rebels. His plane
bears the marks of A bullets.
Gen. Moncada, the chief Liberal
commander in the campaign against
the Conservatives, which was termi-
mated by the peace arranged by Henry
l.. Stimson, as personal representative
of President Coolidge, has made
charges against Gen. Sandino.
Defends Marines Fighting.
In a lengthy statement Moncada
says that after the peace agreement
was signed SANDING, despite appeals
even by his own father took and held
foreigners for ransom and dedicated
himself to the assassination of his en-
emies, whether Liberals or Conserva-
| tives."
At Ocotal, Moncada says, the United
States Marines fought in legitimate
defense.
1--WE Liberals" he adds, regret the
death Of brothers, but it is our duty
to refuse contact with bandits; we con.
denim a war which has no idea. In
Nicaragua the Liberals ardently de-
sire peace and have confidence in the
word of the President of the United
States Of America, given to US by his
personal representative, Mr.. Stimson.
All the other chiefs have complied
with their duties"
Rear Admiral Julian L. Lat,mer,
who was in command of the United
States special service squadron in Mic.
araguan waters during the trouble
between the Liberals and Conserva-
tives, believes that Gen. SANDING will
never be heard from again. The ad.
miral describing SANDING as a bandit,
said here he thought SANDING either
would leave the country. probably
crossing into Honduras, or lay down
his arms voluntarily.
In Mexico City Pedro Zepeda, cham
pion of the Liberal cause, announced
he had dispatches from San Salvador
that rs United States Marines were
killed at Ocotal.
All other advices have had one Ma.
r1ne killed, one wounded.