The Washington herald., 1907-07-27
PRESIDENT ZELAYA
AND HIS CAREER

ne drama OF politics In Central Amer
lea has brought into the Iirnelight. through
recent events. the President Of Nicaragua.
Gen. Don Jose Santos Zelaya. In the
view of those who would bring about a
union of the five republics Of Central
America through harmonious and pacific
methods. in the interests Of mutual peace
and prosperity. the career Of Zelaya
proves that this author Of nine revoIu-
tions within the space Of fourteen years
is not fitted. either as a warrior or as
statesman, to become the head Of an in
teTnational alliance
Zelaya's most recent appearance before
the public was in waging war against
honduras and his pillage OF Acajutla and
} fSonsOnate- Attention is now called TO
this raid in order that American readers
may understand the opposition among
Central American leaders. who claim to
be working for pacific union, 10 what they
regard as a dangerous conspiracy against
the true industrial and social interests Of
those countries. Zelaya, they say. first
appeared as & revolutionist among the
GrenadIan conservatives in 1892, who over
threw DIT. Sacasa. although in that revo-
luton he played a secondary part. The
affair of 1898, which was essentially pro-
vincial. promoted by Gems. Ortiz Godoy.
and Alfonso. placed Zelaya in the Presi-
dency. because Of the amiability and old
age Of the real chief Of the Liberal party,
DR.. Francisco Baca.
These were the only military exploits.
it is said, IN which the Nicaraguan Presi-
dent took personal part. The rest Of his
adventures he directed from his fortified
retreat at Managua, his Field of Mars"
The quality of his patriotism and his ca
pacity as statesman. his opponents say.
may be judged by the present condition
Of the country over which ne has ruled
for fourteen years. The condition OF its
treasury is far from satisfactory Bonds
have been issued at 50 for 40. although
nearing the extraordinary interest of 6
per cent The administration Of the rrin-
cpal public revenues, derived from the
national railway and from taxes on
brandy and tobacco, have been farmed
cut to a trust. The system Of public edu-
cation has been largely abandoned or
turned over to teachers ignorant of mod
ern methods. in the meantime il IS
charged that Zeiaya has become a chief
shareholder in such monopolies as cattle
raising. meat products. petroleum. salt.
the raising and expectation of corn and
other cereals. the culture of the agaude.
the manufacture Of copper and iron nails.
and Of lime
The author Of a pamphlet upon condi-
tons In Nicaragua, recently received In
Washington, DR.. Madriz. IS responsible
for severe arraignment of the Zelaya
administration. He claims that the only
order existing IN Nicaragua is that pro-
Gucvd by force and dynamite The only
liberty is that existing under 'the ak OF
a cruel. shameless. and bloody despotism 4"
The writer points out :hat true reform
and liberal principles Of government can
never De advanced under an administra-
ton which is characterized by "embezzle-
ment, brutal violence. and sOrdid AFRO
gance."
Zelaya's record as a revolutonist is
described as unique, even in the annals
of Latin America AS soon as ne came
into power he promoted a revolution In
Honduras in favor OF DR. Policarpo Bo-
nilla- against the government Of Domingo
Vasquez. He is charged with furnishing
war material to Gen. Alfaro against the
government of President Flores In Ecua-
dor. He aided the liberal revolution In
maritime expeditions, which went 10
pieces in the isthmus He furnished
arms to Frederic Mora against the gov
eminent of Costa Rica. In 1902 he dis
patched an expedition to start a revoIu-
ton IN Guatemala against the govern
ment OF Estrada Cabrera. which came to
nothing. In 1906 he encouraged another
attack upon Guatemala. His recent as
sault upon Honduras was il Is declared
IN violation of the compact OF Corinto.
and his more recent expedition against
Acajutla and the government OF Salvador
broke the treaty Of Amapala, signed two
months previously
This record is cited IN support Of the
charge that Zelaya's efforts to make
himself master Of the five republics Of
Central America would be only 10 extend
an administration of violence and corrup-
ton, in contrast to the union Of peace and
order which. it is declared. is the ambi-
ton Of Guatemala and its allies to bring
about.