Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-26
MARINES ADVANCE
UP RAGGED SLOPE
Trenches Destroyed on Ell
Chipote as U. S. Forces
Push Toward Rebel Fort.

u! tHe Assof3Ste1 Press.
MANAGUA. Nicaragua, January 26.-
American Marines are advancing slowly
and cautiously up the slopes OF FL Chi
pote. once the stronghold OF the rebel
general. Augustine Sandino.
Wherever trenches and Notifications.
signs Of the rebel occupation OF the
s.000-foot mountain. were found they
were destroyed by the Marines under
Maj. Archibald Young.
The object OF the Marines now is to
drive Sandino followers from the popu-
lated districts into uninhabitable and
isolated regions where II is impossible
. TO get food and ammunition.
Enormous difaculties confront the
Marines In their campaign. but they
will be overcome. Maj. Gen. John A.
Lejeune, commahdant OF the United
States Marine Corps. believes.
Travels In Plane.
Gen. Lejeune returned here by air.
plane from the scene of the recent
ighting In Nueva Segovia. He ap-
parently was well pleased with the prog
ress the Marines had made.
The morale of the Marines Is high"
he said. There Is no discomfort.
There are no complaints.
Il would rather see Sandino captured
than killed. I hope he will voluntarily
stop his fighting. There has been
enough bloodshed."
The general came here directly from
Ocotal yesterday He stayed an hour
at Ocotai inspecting the Marines Then
| in an airplane piloted by Maj. Rowell
| he few over FL Chipote. San Fernando,
San Albino. Teipaneca and other places
/ formerly infested by Sandino's men
Il am very glad came" the Marine
| commander said. Il was able 10 visit
these places and get fifgt-hand infor-
! nation. appreciate conditions better
and in the future will be in better
position 10 help the boys"
Ia Country Very Rough.
Asked about the topography OF Eueva
Segoyia. Gen. Leteune replied:
| 1t is the roughest country ] have
ever seen, One has no idea how rough
! and inaccessible the country Is until
seen. The mountains are from four 70
six thousand feet high. They are cover
! ed with dense forests.
There are no roads. only small foot
/. trails over which IL is almost impossible
f, for packtrsins 10 make headway.
All one sees are gorgeous Taviret
and heavy forests.
Military operations are extremely
difiicuit. The long distance from the
base Of supplies with no roads and no
bridges and the dense underground
makes the movement OF troops and sup
plies SLOW and dangerous
"Aifpianes have brought reinforce
mentS, supplies and medicines at times
! They are the only means OF c0mmuni.
cation with Managua. Thf planes have
acted as conveys for patrols made
reconnaissance. evacuated the sick and
participated IN battles"
Saw Trenches and sbafks.
ASKED II hT Saw any evidences of
/ rebels near the former SANDING head r
quarters Otl ri Chipote, the general said
"OD I'll Chjpote. which Ia mountain
probably 5000 feet high, there were
trenches AND f0rtiheations and about
~ stiacks evidently ubed by SANDING =
>DIGifgs"
On Saturday Sunday and Monday.
Gen tTJsune uiapf an inspection tfip
~ Malagaipa Jin0tega and interme-
diah points Det tween tilese places and
I MauaKus
Gen. LejFluie expects tG Leave Hicara<
gas tomorrow 0n The cruiser itotliest~f
fDf Panama From Panama, he intends
! ~ 20 ~ BiliefleIfE on the Caribbean ana
inspect the Marine gsrriS0n there Then
ils VII return 70 The United States,