The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1909-12-08
zELAyA GOVERNMENT SCORED.
Slain Americans Should Have Been
Dealt With as Prisoners of War.

Since the Washington conventions or
1907 were communicated to the gov
eminent Of the United States as con-
sulting and advising party this gov
eminent has been almost continuously
called upon by one or another and In
turn by all Of the five Central Amer
lean republics TO exert itself for the
maintenance Of the conventions. Near
~ every complaint has been against
the .Zelaya government OF Nicaragua,
which has kept Central America IN
constant tension or turmoil. The re-
sponses made to the representations OF
Central American republics as due
from the United States on account OF
its relation TO the Washington conven'
tions have been at all times eonserva-
tive and haye avoided so far as posi-
bic any semblance Of Interference, al
though 1t Is very apparent that the
considerations Of geographic proximity
to the canal zone and of the very sub
stantial American interests In Central
America give 10 the United States q
special position in the zone Of these
republics and he Caribbean sea,
need not rehearse here the patient
efforts Of this government to promote
| peace ard welfare among these re.
pubics. efforts which are fully appre-
Gated by the majority Of them who
are loyal 70 their true interests. 1t
| would be no less unnecessary 10 re-
| aea:'sp here he sid tale of unspeak.
| able barba:ities and oppression alleged
/ TO hive been committed by the Zelayl
| government Recently two Americans
! were put to death by order Of Presi-
| Gent Zeiaya himself They were Ola
GERS in the organized forces Of q rev.
/ olution which had continued many
weeks and was In control Of about
half of the republic. and as sucih nc
cording to the modern enlightened
! practice OF civilized nations. they were
entitled TO be dealt with rs prisoners
! Of war.
At the date when this message Is
printed this government has termi
mated diplomatic relations with the
Zelaya government for reasons made
public In a communication to the for
mer Nicaraguan charge d'affaires and
| Is intending to take such future steps
MS may be found most consistent witt
its dignity, its duty to American In
terests and its moral obligations tc
Central America and to civilization. II
4 may later be necessary for me to brins
this subject to the attention Of tht
Congress In a special message.
Bureau Of American Republics.
4 The international bureau of Amer
lean republics has carried on an impor
tant and increasing work during th'
last year In the exercise Of its pecul
far functions as an international agen
cy, maintained by all the American
republics for the development of pan
American commerce and friendship, /
has accomplished a great practica
good which could be done In the sam
way by no individual department OF bu
reau of one government and Is there
fore deserving Of your liberal support
.. The fact that It Is about to enter nev
building, erected through the munif
cence OF an American phllanthropis
and the contributions of all the Amer
lean nations, where both its efficienc
, Of administration and expense of main
tenance will naturally be much aus
mented, further entities it to specia
consideration.