817.00/4702: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:50 p.m.]
101. If Conservatives can be believed, they have finally won a decisive victory over Moncada forces which are reported fleeing in small groups in great disorder, the only semblance of any remaining organized body being Mena’s band of probably 250 men said to have retreated toward Matiguas where General Hurtardo with double that number has followed and expects to give him battle. General Viquez is said to have given orders for other generals to follow up all fleeing groups. It is rumored that Moncada with a few faithful followers is making his way toward east coast via Rio Negros. Conservatives report the capture of Palo Alto, of 90,000 rounds of ammunition, 3 cannons, 2 Thompson guns, 40 crates cannon shells, many rifles. That Liberals should have abandoned this well-fortified hill indicates that followers with decreasing food supply could no longer be induced to fight against increasing numbers of enemy and that possibly the well known dissention between Moncada and Sandoval [Page 321] came to a head. Exact number of dead not known but estimated at no less than 300 on both sides. In the Tijerino stronghold of Chinandega there are indications that Toribio has returned and is responsible for activity calculated to provoke attacks on that town even to extent of forcing active fighting against our marines and ultimate positive intervention. He is said to have brought in arms freely from Honduras where certain officials are repaying him in this way for similar assistance with arms which he gave them some years ago. Might not the question of patrol of entire Bay of Fonseca again be given consideration?