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Information from natives on EDSN activities on Upper Río Coco  (feb 1931)
 
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'Information elicited from natives, for the most part reliable' on EDSN activities on the Upper Río Coco

Intro forthcoming ...

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DEPARTMENT OF NORTHERN BLUEFIELDS,

GUARDIA NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA,

PUERTO CABEZAS, NICARAGUA,
20 February 1931

From:     The Department Commander.
To:       The Area Commander, Area of the East,

          Guardia Nacional, Bluefields, Nicaragua.

Subject:  Intelligence.

1. Information elicited from natives, for the most part reliable.

That the raid of the bandits in January last, under Abraham Rivera as jefe was a mere scouting expedition, made to secure information, procure boats and supplies, get recruits, and test out the Guardia strength. Arms were also taken from the Indians upon every possible occasion, but it was not the policy of Rivera to offer violence to the Indians or other natives along their route, unless they were known to be Marines or Guardia sympathizers.

At least two persons were killed, one negro and one Mosquito Indian, although most reports state four persons killed, all of whom were either negros or Mosquito Indians. These killings were perpetrated by Timoteo Altamirano who was sub-jefe of group under Abraham Rivera. It was partly on account of these killings that Rivera and Altamirano disagreed. This disagreement resulted in a fight between Rivera and Altamirano, and the latter with four of his friends were kicked out of the group at Waspuk on the way up the river. Rivera, with the remainder of the group, about 30 men returned to Bocay.

2. Reports from spies and Indians returning from up river (Wanks) state that there are at least 300 bandits, or rather outlaws, of all nationalities in the Patuca river section north of Awawas, and in the vicinity of Kiplapini. They have a regular outpost on the river near Awawas situated so that it enables them to see long distances both up and down the river. These outlaws are a particularly bad lot, are well armed, live by cattle raising, and smuggling arms to the people at Bocay. The outlaws in these sections have no known jefe, although all acknowledge Pedron and Sandino. Their raids are similar to the last one made last September when Jose Lleset was killed at Aguasbila, and are made more with intention of murder, pillage and private vengeance than in the form of organized banditry. Timoteo Altamirano was allied with them after his escape from the Line here, following the killing of a Sirian at Snaki on 22 January 1930. Timoteo Altamirano is a relation of Pedron Altamirano, believed to be a cousin. The outlaws from the Patuca River-Awawas-Kiplapini section are reported to be ready to join in force the bandits group at Bocay under Rivera for an attack on Puerto Cabezas, the Cape or both.

3. “The bandit group at Bocay has become greatly increased in numbers during the past six (6) months. The main camp is some distance [p. 2] up the Bocay River. The reasons given by natives for the increase in size of this group, are that the concentrated drives by Guardia and Marines in Segovia and Jinotega on the bandit groups have caused many desertions, and that many of these deserters from the bandit ranks have collected at Bocay. Abraham Rivera is the only known Jefe, but alleges he has been ordered there by Sandino, and that he has been placed there to facilitate the smuggling of munitions, arms and supplies to the bandit groups in Segovia and Jinotega. A deliberate effort has been made to gain favor with the Bocay Indians with a view to having their support, and has met with considerable success. The Indians in this region professing themselves ready to take part in any attack on Guardia or expedition to Puerto Cabexas or Cabo Gracias. What means, exactly, has been used to gain the confidence of the Bocay Indians is not known, but their feelings and sympathies have been cleverly brought over to the side of the bandits. The presence of several foreigners in this group has been reported; three of them either Germans, Hungarians or Russians, one American, and several Mexicans and Honduranians. Indians unfriendly to, this group report that some months past, (due to the Indians inability to describe time accurately, it is not known exactly when, but between the middle of September and October) a large shipment of arms was brought up the river in boats to Bocay from near Awawas, having been previously smuggled in through the Patuca river section. No estimate has been able to be made of the amount of arms or ammunition or the class of arms, but that practically all were in boxes, and the Indians did not see but one box opened up which one contained rifles. From the description of the boxes some described as being long and flat, (indicating) rifles, others small and very heavy, indicating ammunition, and two or three that might have contained machine guns; there is little doubt that the boxes did contain arms and ammunition. The Indians state that they did not see the boxes unpacked at Bocay, but that they did see some sent up the Coco River, toward Cua and Santa Cruz in boats. They also state that Abraham Rivera’s men do not have new arms, nor are they particularly well-armed, many having shotguns of a muzzle-loading variety. This would indicate that this arms shipment was sent on to Segovia or Jinotega.

4. The latest reports received came in the 14th, 15th and 16th of February 1931, prior to the details of the raid of Timoteo Altamirano on Ulwas and Sacklin. These reports are believed to be also reliable, and have been obtained from various Indians. These reports state that Pedron and various bandit groups in Segovia and Jinotega have been hard pushed in the last drive and have been placed in the position where they must recoup in money, arms etc. or quit. The successes they have planned and anticipated with the previous reduction in the Guardia were not realized, nor have they been able to collect money in the desired amounts from the coffee planters in the interior. They have planned a concentrated attack on Puerto Cabezas and Cabo Gracias. This attack to be made by the bandits from Bocay, joined by others from the Patuca river-Kiplapini-Awawas section. This combined group will come down the river in boats to Kisalaya or Sacklin and attempt to draw a Guardia patrol out of Logtown. If num- [p. 3] ber of group is sufficient, part of them will continue on down the river to Cabo Gracias, sacking the Cape, and capturing all available boats. If number is not sufficient they will devote their efforts toward drawing a guardia patrol from Puerto Cabezas and wiping it out. The number this group will have is estimated at from 200 to 250 men including Indians. Reports very clearly indicate that all boats are being commandeered on the river and more are being built. This group will march on Logtown, which is the destination as far as the informants know. All of this described above is to be combined and synchronized with a group, supposedly under Pedron, coming over land through Wani to vicinity of Tunky to Kukalaya and hitting the Bragman Bluff Lumber Companies new construction line near Santa Cruz. There is a well cut trail through the Kukalaya swamp from the new line. This group plans on hitting the New Line after the Guardia patrol which the Sacklin patrol has drawn out, have passed out of Logtown. Then this group will push on into Puerto Cabezas, commandeering all transportation and robbing as they go. Reports state that there are many spies of the bandits now working on the railroad line here, and that the bandits are in possession of full information and all necessary details. (Several suspicious persons have been reported in Logtown during the last 60 days) two of them foreigners (Europeans). The bandits plan on having their adherents in Puerto Cabezas, and on the line attend to such details as cutting telephone lines demolishing radio etc.. All informants state that the bandits show surprising knowledge of things along the line and in Port, and that they have laid their plans systematically and with care and that everything gives signs of the bandits having foreigners to advise and direct them. The time of this joint attack is stated as any time between the first and middle of March, but the factor which will determine it, will be the conditions of the trails from Tunky through the Kisalaya Swamp to the railroad line. Informants do not know whether the bandits plan on attempting to raid the mines on the way over or to go around them and conceal their intentions.

5. A small group of bandits was reported to have captured a native on the Pis Pis trail about 15 miles from the end of the new railroad line. The native supposed to have been captured has disappeared and all attempts to locate him have failed. The capture man’s story was that there were about 8 men in the bandit group and that they kept him prisoner over night questioning him as to when the next pay on the line would be, and when the farms on the new construction line would be paid, also information concerning commissaries etc. The man either escaped or was permitted to go. No great credence is placed in this report, due to the fact that the motive cannot be found. But it is a possibility and fits in with the other information. The so called bandits may very well have been laborers discharged by the Bragman Bluff Lumber Company.

6. The latest information relative to the bandit attack on Ulwas on the night of February 15th, is that there were seven (7) men in the group, but that the jefe was not Timoteo Altamirano, nor is it known who the jefe was. They arrived at 1900 15th at Ulwas from up the river. [p. 4] Lieutenant Benson, in his report received 19th February, states that witnesses say the bandit group were Honduranians, that they were formerly employed on the railroad line here at Brown’s Camp. They did no material damage; no verification of any killings done by them has been received. They fired several shots, stole $26.00 in cash, and scattered a bag of flour over the ground. They left Ulwas at 2300 February 15, went to Saulala, and from there to Honduras by trail on the 16th February. Benson reports having thoroughly reconnoitered Kisalaya, Waspam, Ulwas, Bilas Carmen, Saupuca and Sacklin, and proceeding down river by trail to Wasla and Kum. News reached Lieutenant Benson from up river concerning the four guardia deserters from Neptune Mine, who have been reliably reported as having passed Waspuk 15th February, and gone up river to Honduras. Benson will probably reach Logtown tonight.

7. This latest report of bandits on the Wanks appears now to have been tremendously exaggerated and distorted by all our informants. I believe that our informants have gained their ends, partially at least, when we sent a patrol to Cabo Gracias. It is my belief that during the remainder of the dry season we will have many repetitions of these reports, and also that we may expect more serious events than heretofore. I firmly believe that attempts will be made on commissaries along the railroad line and perhaps on the pay train, and very probably in sufficient force to be successful. An attack on Puerto Cabezas, I believe unlikely, although a well commanded and organized force could reach here without detection during the dry season, and the loot that they would get would be well worth it. Particular pains are being taken to protect the Pay train, the Guardia car being protected by boiler-plate, and the Guard strong enough to make any, but an attack in large force unsuccessful.

8. With the present patrol in Cabo Gracias I believe we can solve some of our troubles on the river providing that they can be kept there during the dry season. I recommend that steps be taken to procure gasoline, out of bond, for use at Cabo Gracias, and that a boat be placed at the disposal of the Guardia in Cabo Gracias for periodic patrols up river. Under these circumstances, with the cooperation of the people in Cabo Gracias, we could patrol at least a part of the Wanks without undue expenses, and thus gain timely information of bandits on river, and perhaps obviate these expensive expeditions which accomplish little, and are inclined to make the bandits laugh at our inability to catch up with them. At present the expense of hiring a boat with crew etc. for up river is exorbitant, but had we the gasoline free of duty, the boat rent free, and a crew who could be fed by Guardia during their time of duty, (hence a civic crew) we could accomplish something. The Governor and people of Cabo Gracias should do this for the protection afforded, and I believe could be compelled to do so without stirring up too much trouble.

/s/  H N STENT

- - - - - - - - -

1st Endorsement Col. John Marston, Bluefields, 23 Feb., to Jefe Director GN.

This report of conditions in the Department of Northern Bluefields is of interest though it is believed that the description of the threatened attack on Cabo Gracias and Puerto Cabezas is purely conjecture and probably entirely imaginative, I do believe, however, that the activities of the "gun-runners" are properly described and these may account for the influx of new arms reported to be in the hands of the organized bandit gangs in Segovia and Jinotega.

RG127/43A

Transcribed by Pleet Initiative-funded Lebanon Valley College student-researcher Nicholas J. Quadrini.

 

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