Imperial Valley press., 1934-02-22
SANDING SHOT
BY TROOPERS
IN NICARAGUA
National Guardsmen Kill Fa-
nous Enemy OF u. S. Marines
In Attack On House.
PRESIDENT DENOUNCES ACT
Former Rebel Had Made Peace
With Present Government Af-
ter Return From Exile.

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, Feb. 22.
Gen. Augustine Sandino, famous
Nicaraguan rebel and foe of United
States occupation, was shot and
killed last night by national guards
men, it was announced today
Generals Estrada and Umanzor
were killed with Sandino. His bro
ther, Socrates Sandino, Colonies
Juan Forette and Santos Lopez and
a child of 10 were killed when
guardsmen attacked the home of
Sofonias Salvatierra, minister OF
agriculture.
President Juan B. Sacasa public
ly denounced the killings as acts of
lawlessness and asked congress for
the necessary powers to establish
order.
Don Gregoria Sandino, father of
the dead general, and Minister Sal
vatierra were with Sandino and his
two aides when they were shot and
were taken prisoner by the guards
men, but later were released.
The death of Sandino at the
hands of the national guards was
ironic, for he had made peace with
the government and the guard only
year ago after seven-year strug-
gle against both, eliminating in the
withdrawal of United States ma
rines last January.
His death ends the insurgent Ca
reer of a. petty chieftain who, by
mixture of circumstances, was
raised from obscurity to interna-
tional fame. Although labeled a
bandit and assassin" by the United
States government, he was, at least
for some years, a symbol of patriot
ism to thousands of Latin Ameri-
cans.
In February of last year, after the
marines had been withdrawn, San
dino came to Managua by airplaine
from his mountain stronghold near
San Rafael Del Norte, announcing
that he expected to become the
right hand man of Sacasa.
Made Peace Terms
Under the terms of a peace treaty
signed at the presidential palace,
100 Sandino soldiers were to be TAX
en- into the Nicaraguan army for
one year; two-thirds of all his arms
were to be delivered to the govern
ment within 20 days, and the gov
ernment agreed to maintain public
works in Segovia province for one
year, giving preference to former
Sandinistas in employing local la
Dor.
Because of his enforced obScur-
ity, the nero worship of his follow
erS, and the intense hatred of his
opponents, the jungle warrior be-
came almost legend. Preposterous
accounts cf his heroism and cruel
ty were told by friend and foe. His
real personality and deeds were OBJ
scured by a curtain OF praise and
vilification.
Sandino was born May 10, 1893, in
Niquinohomo; small village IN the
Nacaraguan department OF MaSaya,
not far from Managua. His father,
Gregoria Sandino, a mild liberal,
|
mary school and later sent him to
the Granada eastern institution. BY
Nicaraguan standards, he has a
good education.
In appearance he was small and
slender, little more than five feet
in height. Straight, black hair sur
mounted a full forehead In the
field he affected a Semi-military
uniform, a red and black silk hand
kerchief around his neck and a
wide brimmed hat.
WASHINGTON, Feb %. (U.R-
The killing of Gen. Augustine San
dino, Nicaragua rebel leader, by
Nicaraguan national guardsmen
shocked Nicaraguan official quar-
ters here today.
Henri Gle Bayle. Nicaragran
charge d 'affaires, who reached
Washington by airplane from Mi
ami today after a visit to Mana
qua, could offer no explanation OF
the killing.
De Bayle said he had seen and
talked with Sandino during his
stay in Managua. There had been
some friction recently between some
of Sandino's former followers and
members Of the national guard, but
De Bayle had the impression when
ne left Managua last Saturday that
the troubles had been resolved.
General Sandino, De Bayle said.
had been cooperating most salts
factorily with the national gov
ernment since reaching an agree
nent with President Juan B. Sa-