Somoza Declares Martial Law As Battles Rage in Nicaragua

MANAGUA, Nicaragua--President Anastasio Somoza declared martial law throughout his embattled nation Wednesday night as Nicaraguan government troops clashed with rebels trying to overthrow him.

The decree, which Somoza said would last 30 days, suspends constitutional guarantees.

Earlier Wednesday. Somoza sent troops to northwest Nicaragua to dislodge rebels dug in at three key cities in a fight to control this Central American nation.

Government sources said troops, tired from five days of battling rebels in Masaya and other cities, were moving toward Leon, Cinadega and other major cities in Nicaragua's most populous northwest sector.

Government troops yesterday put down rebel resistance in fire-gutted Masaya and reopened the city where Red Cross workers burned scores of unidentified corpses to prevent disease.