Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-19
ZELAYA DOOMS
MEN TO DEATH
tCoutinued srnm Page OneI

respected in Central America tndn lhey
have been hitherto.
Attitude Shown
The attitude of the government was
clearly shown late today when the state
department sent dispatch to the Blue
fields Steamship company, the head
quarters of which is in New orleans.
The companys regular steamer was
about to set sail for Blueields with a
miscellaneous cargo, ih which were
number of rifles and other munitions OF
war.
The corporation was warned by
agents of the NiCaraguan insurrection-
airy forces that the vessel would be la
BILE to seizure, and the steamship peo-
pie promptly called on the state de-
partment to declare the protection of
this government in such cases. The
state department replied promptly.
The answer was the result of a con-
ference between the president and the
secretary of state, and carried full
weight.
1t gave the steamship concern no en-
couragement and practically recognized
the revolutionary forces operating
against the Zelayan administration,
proceeding for which there probably Is
no parallel in the records of this gov
ernment.
The dispatch directed to the steam
ship company at New Orleans and
signed Knox, secretary of state
read:
IF the announced blockade or invest
ment of the Nicaraguan port of San
Juan del Norte (Greytown) is effec-
lively maintained. and the require
ments of international law, including
warning to approaching vessels are
III would
be disposed to interfere to prevent its
enforcement. A naval vessel will be
ordered to Greytown to observe and
report whether the blockade is effec-
tive"
Always Troublesome
Nicaragua has given this govern
ment more trouble in the last few
years than any other save, perhaps,
Venezuela.
The attitude of the United States, as
shown by its apparent recognition of
Nicaraguan insurgents, indicates to dip
lomats that this government would
welcome the overthrow of the present
administration. 1t is well known that
President Zelayas attitude toward
Americans and American interests has
been displeasing for some time.
The state department today main
one diplomat as "ominous."
1t was learned, however, that both
President Taft and Secretary Knox
practically have determined on the ex-
ertion of some forceful moral suasion,
if nothing more, with view of bring
ing Central American states to a real
ization of their responsibilities.
Aside from acknowledgment that a
demand had been made on the Mica
raguan legation for a detailed and
comprehensive report of the killing of
the two Americans, the department de-
clined to discuss the existing crisis.
The execution of the Americans IS
held here to be indefenslble In the
absence of complete details this gov
ernment is reserving Judgment, but ii
the men were captured in the ranks
of the enemy with arms in their hands,
they were entitled TO military trial,
under international law. 1t is incon-
seivable to officials that either man
was acting as a spy
Orders Not Issued
While no orders have been issued for
the dispatch of war vessels other than
the Des Moines and the Vicksburg to
observe conditions on both the Atlantic
and Pacific coasts, there are plenty OF
vessels in Caribbean waters that can
be sent to the scene on the shortest no.
tice. while there are other vessels
within call on the Pacific coast.
1t is evident that the temper of the
administration has been thoroughly
aroused. and, if occasion warrants,
the state department may take drastic
action.
Last year Minister Coolidge resigned
and returned from Greytown. 1t was
given out then that Mr.. Coolidge re-
turned merely because of Ill health,
but it was subsequently learned that
he was forced to withdraw in order to
save his dignity and to preserve the
standing of this government Since
then there has been no diplomatic
between the two govern
ments, except through the Nicaraguan
legation here.
Attaches of the legation declined to-
day to make any comment on the
situation. The new minister, Senior
Hazera, naturally refused to discuss
it. and his credentials had been waived
aside at the White House
There was an air of genuine anxiety
about the legation, however, and diplo-
mats regarded the situation as grave.
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