Nicaragua Asks Aid Against Rebels.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 16, 1912:
Marines Are Rushed to the Besieged Capital, Where a Sharp Conflict Is Going On.
AMERICANS EAGER TO FIGHT
Minister Weltzel Cables a Graphic Account of Bombardment, Which Killed Women and Children.
Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, Aug. 10.— Nicaragua's troubles are steadily increasing in seriousness. The rebels are still attacking Managua and the American Legation is still under fire. The Diaz Government has asked the United States to help put down the rebellion, and the Washington Government, without giving an answer to the appeal, has ordered to Managua the 350 marines. brought to Corinto from Panama on the collier Justin.
    The State Department to-day denied that the 100 bluejackets now at Managua took part in the fighting yesterday. All that they had to do under their orders was to protect the American Legation  building and the lives and property of Americans. While stray shots came close  to several American spectators of the battle, none was seriously hurt, and the bluejackets did not have to fire a shot in the performance of their duty.
    The strength of the Nicaraguan regulars is estimated at 3,500 men, while that of the rebel force is put at 2,300, yet with their superior equipment the rebels have the advantage. The Nicaraguan Government has a limited amount of ammunition and no good artillery.
    The fact that the bombardment of Managua did little except to demolish houses and wound women and children has aroused much feeling among all classes, and the Americans in Nicaragua are eager tor a chance to join with the United States forces against the rebels. The State Department has let it be understood that it does not intend to tolerate this lawless shelling and killing of women and children, and endangering of American lives and property.
    Belated cablegrams received from the American Minister, Mr. Weitzel, give a vivid picture of the conflict at Managua which began Sunday morning, when Gen. Zeledon, commanding the rebels, opened fire on the city.
    At 4 o'clock in the afternoon Gen. Murillo and Col. Rostran attacked the penitentiary with rapid fire guns, and at 8 o'clock 100 men under cover of this fire tried to enter the city from the lake, but were repulsed and 25 captured.
    Of the rebels, Zeledon had 800, Thomas 600, and Murillo 500, while the Government forces under Gen. Chamorro were about 3,000.
    Zeledon renewed the attack the next morning, firing shell and solid shot from a 3-inch rifle, called the "Haraldo," principally toward the President's palace, The Chilean Consulate and the house of Mr. Hamm, American Collector General of customs, were hit, and the residence of the German Consul suffered severely. The American guard estimated that 200 shells fell in the city, resulting in the. death and wounding of 12 women and children.
    During the bombardment Gen. Thomas attempted to take the Government position at La Loma by assault, to which the Government replied with cannon and fire from the trenches. After an engagement lasting two hours the Government fire compelled the rebels to withdraw. Later they resumed firing, and Government forces planted field pieces 1,000 yards east of the American Legation, while two Government boats protected the lake front.
    The casualties are reported heavy particularly among the rebels. Col. Rostran was killed. Gen. Thomas is said to be seriously wounded, while Capt. Manuel Chamorro of the Government forces was mortally wounded. The American foreman of the electric light plant, on which the rebel fire was concentrated, was wounded. The Government captured 25,000 rounds of ammunition and two rapid-fire guns, disabling two more.