Evening star., 1934-02-25

Nicaraguan storm center of
i rebel troops, by members Of
the National Guard probably
will precipitate another civil war In
the Central American country, it was
predicted yesterday by Richard O.
Marsh, an employe here Of the Public
Works Administration, who spent
many years In Nicaragua and was
intimately associated with Sandino
prior to the rebel leaders peace treaty
with President Sacasa little over q
year ago.
He termed the murder of Sandino
one of the worst crimes in Nicaraguan
history. The rebel leaders followers,
who have been idle for over year,
slowly returning to q life of rural
agriculture after 20 years of boots and
saddles, probably will retaliate against
the Nationals and a battle for military
control Is expected to materialize as
soon as Sandino's followers in the
mountain regions have time to reor-
ganize their discarded guerrilla bands.
Created Sensation.
MIR. Marsh has Travelled in most of
the Central and South American
countries where, for several years, he
represented the State Department In
connection with work of the legations.
Mr.. Marsh Is considered an authority
on many phases Of life in the Panama
district. where, a few years ago, he
caused a sensation of widespread
repercussions by announcing that he
had discovered a tribe of blond
Indians" Later he brought several
members of the tribe to the United
States. They were pronounced albinos
by experts here, who were astonished.
however. by the nigh incidence of
albinism.
White Indians of Darien," Mr..
Marsh'S history of this peculiar race,
will be published this Spring.
At the present time he Is under
sentence of death ION sight by presi-
Dental decree in Panama, due to mis-
understandings between him and the
government of that country, where he
was accused Of "inciting revolution.
He was a former charge d'affaires at
the United States legation In Panama.
during many years Mr.. Marsh was
commissioned by Harvey Firestone
and Henry Ford to make investiga-
t1ons in Panama and other Central
American countries in efforts to dis
cover rubber producing plants which
could be successfully cultivated In
northern countries.
Intimate Friend of Sandino.
In Nicaragua, he said, the natives
are a strong mixture of Indian and
Spanish blood, which has formed a
sturdy stock. Mr.. Marsh became ac-
lively interested in the life and habits
OF the people, and became friendly
with them. At the time Of Sacasa's
plea for SANDING to disarm MIR. Marsh
went into the mountain fastness of
Sandinos stronghold, where he studied
conditions and became an intimate
friend of the rebel leader.
Sandino, he said, was a small. dark
man with a strong, clear appeal, which
distinguished him as a leader of men.
His followers, Mr.. Marsh said, were
devoted to the rebel chieftain and
obeyed his orders without visible
Cemur.
After Sandino's return to the noun
tains following his peace treaty with
Sacasca, Mr.. Marsh returned to the
Upited States, where he has been To-
Gated since that time.
Sandino had come to Managua,
Nicaraguan capital, to carry out the
terms Of his peace treaty with the
present Liberalist government under
President SacaSa, which he made a
year ago last January. The terms of
the treaty were that Sandino would
oiSarm at that time with the excep-
ton Of sufficient arms to keep peace
among the many farms where he To-
Gated his followers in a system of
colonization, which was his method of
demobilizing his army.
At the expiration of a year Sandino
was to turn over the remaining arms
to the government. He had come to
Managua to carry out this part Of his
treaty and to confer with President
Sacasa regarding reorganization and
possible reduction of the National
Guard.
Shot Down After Conference.
Following his conference with the
President. as he was leaving the palace,
he and his two chief aides were seized
by Nationals and rushed to a flying
field, where they were shot down by a
squad of Nationals.
Although this definitely terminated
the career of Sandino, who has been
termed saviour" and destroyer" Of
his country, according to the political
lights of the time, Marsh believes that