The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-04-01
Managua Ruined by
Recurring Tremors
And Conflagr alton

Continued from page one)
American civilians have been re-
ported vet.
Both president and American Min
lister Matthew e. Hanna were out Of
the city at the time.
Call Martial Law
Martial law was in operation. Lieu
tenant Colonel Frederick Bradman.
commander Of the marine forces, wa
in charge Of the rescue work. Lack
Of water through q break in the wa
ter system handicapped the fire fight
Ing. A scarcity Of foodstuffs added to
the p~rivation. A scarcity Of medical
supplies existed.
A Nicaraguan Red Cross was form.
ed by minister Of health, DR.. Frutos
Paniagua, to aid relief work. Minis
ter Paniagua issued the following
statement.
we do not possess the necessary
medical supplies adequately to cope
with the situation. Sincerely trust
the American Red Cross will be able
to send aid"
The only building Of Importance
left standing were new structures re-
inforced by concrete. The front OF
the presidential palace was intact but
the rear part Of the building was
sliding downwards. Two Of the three
Managua banks were destroyed. The
Anglo-South American bank was
dynamited by soldiers before the fire
reached it and the Anglo-C Central
American Commercial bank was
burned to the ground.
Hotel First To Go
The Hotel Upone, headquarters Of
Pan-American Anyways, was one of
the first structures to co.. Airport
Manager Harry Hammer was In the
office when the temblor was felt and
rushed outside as the walls caved in.
The American legation was burned
and its entire files destroyed. Ellis
M. Stevens, clerk at the legation,
was sitting on the porch Of Diedreci-
tas Chalet when the quake came. He
dashed away as the chalet slid into
Asososca lagoon.
The United States marines and the
Nicaraguan national guards were do
ing heroic work in attempting to
Quell the fire. Although carrying q
head wound caused by q falling beam,
Colonel Bradman worked throughout
the night without a wink Of sleep.
Camp De Marie, where the marines
r barracked, was transformed into
a huge hospital.
Returning from his summer home
Tuesday, President Moncada and
part of his cabinet camped for the
night outside the palace. He issued
the following statement Wednesday.
"A state Of siege has been declared
in the department Of Managua. The
director of the national guard will
undertake the task of caring for the
people and guaranteeing properties.
Food will be purchased at the expense
of the government and distributed
gratis. Committees will be organic
ed to relieve the poor and suffering"
It is believed the greater part Of
the deaths occurred at the public
market where a huge throng had
gathered at the time Of the first
shocks. About $50 persons were killed
at the National penitentiary.
No Depredations Reported
The American refugees gathered at.
the marine barracks where food and
medical attention was supplied. Thou
sands of natives camped outside the
city. Many of them wandered back
into4ths streets~jn-the hope sof-fe-
claiming lost possessions. Authori-
ties posted orders that any one caught
looting would be shot. No depreda-
tions had been reported.
All communications were severed
except those Of the Tropical radio,
operating from a plant outside the
city. s
Workers of mercy were expected
from many points. The u. 8. s. Ro-
chester left Panama for CorintO
Tuesday night and the Salinas was
expected to leave Wednesday with a
cargo Of food and supplies. Twenty
four army planes from Panama and
five ships of the Pan-American Air.
ways from Miami, Fla, we're await
ed. It was planned to ship out all
American women by air Wednesday.
American Minister Hanna Is ex-
pected from Guatemala City by air
to take charge of civil relief work
until q representative Of the Red
Cross can arrive from Washington,
D. G.