The Washington times., 1909-12-13

declaration of war
Zelaya Without a Peer.
''What I am concerned in" continued
Rayner, is the speedy apprehension and
punishment of Zelaya- 1 have watched
for years the revolutionary history of
Central America, and am familiar with
the career Of a great many Of the i'm
posters and usurpers and the grotesque
and motley leaders that have spung
from their chaotic institutions, but
Zelaya is probably the most despicable
figure that has ever risen in their midst
In the school of corruption, dishOnor,
perhdy. and crime he stands without a
peer, and exhibits I'm one glow of assO-
ciated harmony the pride Of every model
and the perfection Of every mFster.
have been informed upon the most re-
liable authority that the vices % his
private life are more Infamous in their
indescribabIe details than the iniquities
of his public career.
Now, as the eliminating i1famy Of
his administration, tramplng UPON every
instinct Of humanity, in violation of
universal law. I'm defiance OF those pre-
Cepts of the International code that have
been recognized ever since the night Of
barbarism receded before the rays of
civilization, he has put to torture and
then to death two American citizens
whom he had captured as prisoners Of
war in the army of the reVolutionists.
This act was not only the act Of a fiend,
but was an insult 70 the honor Of this
republic, and cannot remain unavenged.
Would Declare Limited HostiiitieS.
1T is said that we ought 70 declare
war against Nicaragua I thiIk that
il is unnecessary, except in so far as
this resolution may be construed into
what is known in international law as
declaration Of hostility sub modo-some
OF the authorities speaking of it as
limited or imperfect hostilities.
This Government is a cowardly Gov
eminent If it does not make an example
of Zelaya before the eyes Of the civilized
world. I have supreme confidence in the
Secretary of State and 1 believe that he
is reaching toward the end. I have
also an abiding confidence in the Presi-
dent. once spread before the Ameri-
can people the details Of the execution
and our people will rise IN arms and
demand retribution-"
Zelaya Ready to Flee.
Zelaya was ready to fee, he said, and
would leave when the plumber gave out.
He hoped that the insurgents would be
that Zelaya be not allowed to escape.
The laws Of God and Of civilization
and the honor Of the Republic demand
that he be brought to trial" shouted the
Senator. IF he is guilty he must be
awarded the doom and fate that he de-
serves, so that every tyrant on this
earth and in every nation under the
sun, and in every government, large or
small, and especially these dictators in
several Of these Central American
states who have exhibited TO us az times
the bitterest hatred and visited upon our
citizens the most cruel indignities and
Outrages, shall be told once and forever
that our flag follows our citizens wher-
ever they 20. and that when an Gssassi-
nation like this occurs the malefactOr
must take his place like any other Gull
must answer for the deed with his lib
eTty or his lift
Lodge Speaks Also.
When Senator Hayner closed Senator
Lodge spoke briefly and said he was
glad 10 know that Senator Rayner ap-
proved the action Of the Administration.
lie said the difficulty was to separate
the act OF President Zelaya himself
from the acts Of the people Of Nfcara-
Eue. He advised that the resolution 20
10 the Committee on Foreign Rela-
TONS The resolution was referred to
that committee and Senator Cullorn Of
Illinois. chairman Of that committee,
said when II was reported back he
would have something to cay to the
Senate.