Imperial Valley Press

DECISIVE BATTLE EXPECTED
Marines Determined to Dislodge Rebel Chief From Stronghold.
MAY FIGHT TODAY
"Leathernecks" Anxious to Capture Sandino Immediately.
By United Press Leased Wire
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, Jan. 5.-
A decisive battle between the United States marines and the rebel leader, General Augustino Sandino was awaited by both sides today.
The marines, having paved the way by aerial bombing attacks and careful scouting, were prepared to move from their position at Quilali against the entrenched rebels at El Chipote, 15 miles away.
Latest word brought to headquarters here from Lieutenant Moses J. Gould, commanding the marines, was that the encounter probably would take place today.
The marine forces, stung by the casualties suffered in the capture of Quilali, were prepared for what they hoped might be the most important engagement of the campaign.
The hope of the troops here was to settle with Sandino without waiting for the reinforcements of 1000 marines about to be sent from the United States.
Storming of the Sandino stronghold will present extreme difficulty and the likelihood of casualties. The approach to El Chipote is over rocky narrow trails through mountainous country.
Effective movement of supplies and munitions is difficult.
Sandino, with a force estimated at about 1000 men, has the advantage if attacked.
Pilots of observation planes said they had been unable to discover concentration of any large body of Sandino forces. There have been no encounters in the past two days.
The machine gun company left here yesterday and will ally itself with the combat patrol near Quilali.
A new Fokker plane has been pressed into service to supply the United States forces with ammunition machine guns and supplies. It also will be available for evacuating wounded.