Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-22
MORE THAN MONEY PAY
FOR AMERICANS DEATHS
Recognition of Insurgents as Bel
ligerents Considered Probable.
AMERICAN FORCES PREPARED
Warships and Marines in Readiness
to Enforce Demands Upon
zelaya-Secretary Meyer
Returns.

The next move in the game being
played with President Zelaya of Mica
ragua, will be made by Secretary Knox
and undoubtedly it will be an i'm
portant and possibly a decisive one
Zelaya has killed two Americans. it
is believed. in the most summary and
brutal manner, and it is not expected
that he will be permitted to- settle at
so much head for these or any other
American citizens he may see fit to
kill. 1t is therefore reasonable to be-
lieve that something more than COM
pensation for the death of Groce and
Cannon will be involved in the next
step taken by the State Department
Charge Refused Audience.
Senor Rodriguez, secretary of the Mica
raguan legation and charge d'affaires.
called at the State Department today for
the purpose of delivering some message
from the Nicaraguan government. but
was unable to secure an audience with
any of the officials. He asked in turn for
Secretary Knox and Assistant Secretaries
Wilson. Adee and Hale, and it is UNDER
| Stoou tiIdI edcn asked De excused on
the plea that he was very busy.
1t was impossible to obtain any plau-
sible explanation of the incident Al
though it is known that the Washington
authorities have considered the expedi-
ency of severing diplomatic relations with
Nicaragua, they have not. so far as
known. except in this instance, taken any
actual action to that effect.
sistant Secretary Wilson this morning
that nothing additional had been heard
from Nicaragua since yesterday after
noon. 1t appears that the department
is awaiting additional information as
to the details of the killing of Groce
and Cannon and until that information
is obtained by the vice consul at Mana
qua and cabled to the department here
no important developments in the situa-
tion are looked for. The State De-
partments action in recognizing the
blockade of the port Of San Juan del
Norte is in effect a recognition of in
surgency, but this action in all probabl-
ity will be followed by what is much
more important, the recognition of bel
ligerency.
Recognition of Belligerency.
The recognition of belligerency is
matter of the highest consequence to the
insurgent forces. Once their belligerency
is recognized Zelaya would be held to
strict accountability for any prisoners he
might take, as the United States would
undoubtedly see to it that they were
treated in every respect as prisoners of
war according to civilized standards.
Belligerency also would improve the
status OF the revolutionary government
before the world. and at the same time
it would measurably increase its response
bility.
Secretary Meyer returned to the Navy
Department today from Boston and i'm
mediately took up the Nicaraguan situa-
ton with Assistant Secretary Winthrop,
who had been in charge of the depart
ment during his absence, and Rear Ad-
miral Potter, chief of the bureau Of navi
cation. with "A view of determining how
the navy would be able to comply with
any request which the State Department
might make upon it. In general the Of
ficials told the Secretary that the navy
was ready for any emergency which
might arise.
Disposition of Vessels.
Mr.. Winthrop explained that. i'm con-
formity with suggestions from the State
Department, the vicksburg had been sent
to Corinto. and that the Des Moines was
at that moment probably accommodating
In the waters near Greytown, Nicaragua,
to ascertain the effectiveness of the block
ade the revolutionists claim to be main.
tanning at this port The report of Com
mander John III. Shipley of the Des
Moines will probably be sent from Port
Limon. Costa Rica, to which point the
ship has been ordered to proceed.
The Secretary also was informed that
the Tacoma had arrived at Colon today,
and that arrangements had been made to
send the Marietta from Guantanamo.
Cuba, to Colon, and that both of these
vessels could be dispatched to Port
Limon without delay.
Rear Admiral Schroeder, commander OF
the Atlantic battleship fleet. has arrived
in Washington, and was at the Navy De-
partment today. 1t was explained that