The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-04-19
An Awful Example.

The danger to he avoided i'm the set
ting up Of an independent republic in
Cuba is the readiness with which the
Latin race lends itself to frequent poll
tical revolutions. This tendency is
visible in all the Latin American re-
publics but especially so in Nicaragua
where revolutionary troubles are per-
ennial, the latest, begun in February,
having just been suppressed with i'm
mense damage to property and agricul-
ture as well as with considerable loss OF
life. As illustrative of how indepen-
dence works in Nicaragua, the country
with which we shall have to deal when
VIC take charge of the Nicaragua canal,
the following extract from w. T.. Cur
tis Washington correspondence in the
Chicago Record is interesting.
"The late revolution" writes Mr..
Curtis, was the sixth attempt that
has been made to overthrow President
Zelaya since he declared himself die
tator five years ago. All of them have
been due to the same causes-corrup-
tion and tyranny. He has conducted
the government as if he owned the
country. He has imprisoned, fined and
otherwise punished many prominent
and influential men who would not
submit to his eXactiOns or encourage
his ambition. He has endeaVored to
ruin and drive from the country all his
political opponents. He has compelled
some of them to pay forced loans Of
large amounts. When they refused
they were imprisoned and often bru-
tally whipped. Some are still in prison,
but the most of them have succeeded
in escaping through bribery and be-
cause Zelaya thinks they are less
troublesome when they are away from
home. Their property is seized for
public uses, and then advertised for
sale when the officials are sure the
owners will not be able to reclaim it, In
that way Zelayas favorites have been
able to obtain valuable estates at a
nominal cost.
"A recent example of Zelayas meth
DDS has excited profound indignation
throughout the entire country, be-
cause of the social prominence and
popularity of the victims; but it is only
one of many similar cases. Senior
TOmaso Martinas, a rich highly re-
spectacle and cultured business man,
who has had no part in politics, but at
tended quietly to his own affairs. aud
has taken care not to offend Zelaya. Is
now in prison, without any public
charge having been made against him,
but, according to the gossip of the
streets, for holding secret communica-
ton with the enemies of the country.
His father was president of Nicaragua
for many years, made an excellent
record, and his memory is highly re-
vered. DR.. Adam Cardenas, who was
also president and the immediate pre-
decessor Of Zelaya, is now in exile. He
was also greatly respected and had
vide influence. Zelaya does not know
where he Is, and is in constant fear of
his return. Cardenas married q
daughter of the late President Mar
tinas, and a sister Of Tomaso Martinas,
whose mother lives with him.
Some weeks ago Zelaya sent one OF
his aids TO the residence of Mr.. Mar
tinas to eXtort, if possible, from his
mother some information as to the
whereabouts and plans of DR.. Car.
denas. He set trap for the old lady
by exhibiting what appeared to be q
telegram announcing that Dr.. Cardenas