The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-02
NOT YET RECOGNIZED
CAPT. MERRY STILL PERSONA NON
GRATA TO LITTLE REPUBLICS.
Central American Confederation Diet
Attempting to BulIdoze Uncle Sam
-OppressiOn In Nicaragua.

MANAGUA Nicaragua OCT. I4.-lJ is un-
derstood that the Diet of the Greater Re-
public Of Central America, now in session
here, has refused to agree to the argu-
ments put forward by Secretary Sherman in
support of the appointment of Capt. Will
liam L. Merry, Of San Francisco, as minis
ter of the United States to Nicaragua, Cos
ta Rica and Salvador 1t is claimed here in
certain quarters that this step is taken in
order to force the United States govern
ment, if possible, to fully recognize the
Diet. although it is claimed that body may
be overturned almost any day by success
full revolution in Nicaragua, Costa Rica or
Salvador or by the withdrawal from it of
any one of the presidents governing the
states it represents. The reply of the Diet
will probably be forwarded to the United
States State Department through official
channels on Oct. II or on Oct. 20.
1t may here be pointed out that the feel
ing of opposition to the presidents, also
termed 'dictators,'' of the states of the
Greater Republic of Central America is
steadily growing in bitterness, and in this
country the people are suffering greatly un-
der the rule of their President, Zelaya. In
fact, matters have reached such q stage
that the United States government must
either continue to submit as heretofore, on
the ground of sympathy with these repu-
lies, to the caprices and misrule Of each sue
cessive dictator or else recognize the true
condition of the republics and energetically
enforce line of policy recognizing the peo-
pie and raising them to the level of actual
and not nominal self-government.
Since the disbanding of the revolutionjSts,
who, last September, attempted to achieve
political and personal liberty by attacking
the forces of President Zelaya and, failing
in this effort, were driven to seek refuge ia
Costa Rica, the masses here have been
made to feel the weight of the iron heel,
and their resentment has been intensified
by the merciless acts of Zelaya and his fa-
vorites, 1. D. Gomez and M. G. Matusa,
who, it is claimed, have acted like bandits,
going so far as to shoot men who were ac-
cused of taking part in the revolution of
September on the decision or hastily
formed courtS-martial, composed Of men of
of respectable citizens, without trial, on
suspicion of having been in sympathy with
the revolutions, eXacting large sums or
erty EITHER as Zines" or forced loans," on
the plea of having been In sympathy with
those who took part In the revolutlon OF
September, and otherwise expressing the
people to such extent that during the
past two years, it is asserted on good au-
thority more than ten thousand native
Nicaraguans have been compelled to aban-
don their homes and expatriate themselves.
Those who have left the country include
representatives of some Of the Oldest, most
patriotic and most distinguished families OF
the country. Finally, 1t is asserted that
nearly all the foreigners IN Nhcaragua S0, aqua are are
leave the republic for better governed To-
calitieS.
know where all the money collected by
forced loans goes, and the current belief is
that Zelaya and his friends have been send
ing large sums abroad in order to feather
their nests TO which they may eventually
have to fiy No national debts have been
paid and no internal improvements have
been made which will account for the ex-
cessive fines and forced loans imposed on
the people Those who cannot or Will not
submit to the extortions Of Zelaya s govern
ment are thrown into prison and their be-
longings are con1scated and sold bX4 the
government. For instance, Senor Eleson-
der. a venerable native merchant of Mana
qua, has been imprisoned in the peniten,
tiary and his large stores nave been closed
by the government because OF his failure
to pay a forced loan. This merchant has
not been tried although he is suffering
from paralysis, and the confinement in Jail
must endanger his life. The only charge
with the revolutionists of Sept. IL, 1897
Senior Elsonder is heavily in debt for his
stock of merchandise to commission houses
in New York city, London and Hamburg,
but it looks as If his goods would be sold
by the government for the latter's benefit.
The government officials In previous
of this city, without taking an inventory or
their goods, commenced the sale under po-
lice surveillance of all their belongings, the
amount realized being credited to the large
fines and forced loans demanded of the
firm because they were suspected or FAVOR
ing the revolution.
Other large stores belonging to merchants
of Grenada and other places are, 1t is re-
ported, TO be sold at nominal prices by Ze-
Iaya's officials unless the fines or forced
loans demanded of their proprietors are
paid. Other merchants whose stores have
been closed by the government have es-
capped having their goods sold at ruinouS
prices by borrowing money to meet the de-
mands of the government in the shape of
forced loans and fines. All the native mer-
or have contributed money to the forced
loans, otherwise their stores would have
been closed.
The Diet of the Greater Republic of Cen
trail America has recognized MIR. John Jen-
kinS as United states consul at San Saliva
dor, capital of the Republic of Salvador.
The Nicaraguan Congress has elected DR..
Mariana Ramerez as a substitute for Senior
Mendoza, in the event of the latter retiring
from the sessions OF the Diet of the Greater
Republic of Central America.
The Congress of the Republic has extend
ed for five years the time during which the
Nicaraguan government will pay premiums
for the planting of coffee cocoa or India
rubber trees or ramie Congress has also
enacted that natives Of Central America
national land in eastern Nicaragua, pro-
vided they cultivate one-ifth of such land
during the first year they settle upon ii.
General Herrera, formerly of the Repub-
lie OF Colombia, for about two years past
governor OF the Northeast (Cape Gracias)
order of President Zelaya.
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