The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1909-12-08
Tho Niearaauan Trouble.


Since the Washington conventions Of
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
ican republics to exert itself for the
maintenance Of the conventions. Near
ly 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 ION account of
Its relation to the Washington conven-
tons have been at all times conServa-
tive and have avoided, so far as posi-
BILE. any semblance ofiiDterference. al
though it 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 to the "UnIted States a
special position IN the zone Of these
republics and the Caribbean sea.
'I.need not rehearSe here the patient
efforts Of this government to promote
peace and welfare among these re-
.publics, efforts which are fully appre-
,cIated by the majority Of them who
l:are loyal to their true interests. 1t
would be no less unnecessary to re-
:hearse here the sad tale Of unspeak-
able barbaritIeS and oppression alleged
to have been committed by the Zelaya
government. Recently two Americans
were put to death by order -of Presi-
dent .Zelaya himself. They were OIL
GERS in the organized forces of rev.
oludon which had continued many
weeks and was In control OF about
half Of the republic, and as such. ac-
cordIng to the modern enlightened
practice Of civilized nations, they ,were
entitled to be dealt with as 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 q communication to the Cor
Der Nicaraguan charge d'affaIres and
Is intending to take such future steps
rs may be found most consistent with
its dignity, its duty to American IN
teneSts and its moral obligations to
Central America and to civilization. It
may later be necessary for me TO bring
this subject TO the attention OF the
congress in a special message.
In the Far East
In the far east this government pre-
serves unchanged It's policy OF support
Eng the principle Of equality Of oppor-
unity and scrupuIous respect for the
integrity OF the Chinese empire. TO
which policy are pledged the interest
ed powers Of both east and west
By the treaty Of 1908 China has un-
Lertaken the abolition Of Ikin with
moderate and propordonate raising Of
the customs tariff along with currency
teform. These reforms being a mani.
fest advantage to foreign commerce as
well as to the interests OF China, this
government is endeavoring to factli-
tate these measures and the needful
acquiescence OF the treaty powers.
When It appeared that Chinese Iikin
revenues were to be hypothecated to
foreign bankers In connection with a
great railway project It was obvious
TINT the governments whose nationals
held this loan would have a certain
direct interest IN the question Of the
carrying out by China Of the reforms
In question. The administration deem
ed American participation to be Of
great national interest Happily, when