The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-02
KNOX REBUKES ELAYA'S ACTS Mcsraguan Minister Given
 Passports. NEAR TO STATUS OF WAR Cenhal America and Mexico Ap.
 proves His Course. Agent ef Nsesr.sua President Arrives h Washington With Messaxes. France Wants to Know
 About oppression of
NEAR TO STATUS OF WAR

Washington. Dec l.--secretary of State Knox today returned the pass ports of Felipe Rodriguez, Charge dAffaires of the Nicaraguan legation. with a letter scathingly denouncing the zelayan administration of the Govern ment of Nicaragua.
 The letter is definitely declared to represent the views of President Taft, and is about as plain-spoken as any thing emanating from the State De- pertinent in many years.
 The extraordinary feature of the let- ter is that 1t seems to evidence an in tention on the part of the United States to hold zelaya personally responsible for the alleged fortune and execution of the Americans. Cannon and Groce. and exhibits the unique situation of one Government holding the Chief Ex- ecutfve of another practically as g common malefactor. Zelaya is brand ed as violator of solemn International conventions. disturber of the national and international peace, tyrant whose administration has been a blot upon the name of good government.
 Secretary Knox virtually announces the recognition of the Nicaraguan rev. olutionists. declares 1t to be the con viction of the United states that the revolution represents the sentiment of s majority of the Nfcaraguan people, and that there Is evidently no respon- sible Government with which the United States can deal. He. therefore. announces that all parties will be held accountable for their actions as af- fecting the interests of Americans and the peace of Central America.
 He further informs Senor Rodriguez that while he has lost his diplomatic quality. he may still serve as an "un- ofacialr channel of communication with the faction which he is regarded as representing.
 This brings the crisis as near to the status of war as 1t could be brought by executive action without a definite declaration by both houses of Con- xrsss. which will convene next Monday
 Mr. Knox,s letter in all but so many words makes 1t plain that the action represents the wish and attitude of all of the Central American States with the single exception of Honduras. which Is regarded here as entirely dom. mated by Zelaya. Mexico has all z along shown its sympathy with the United States in this matter.
 Just what status the consular repre- senatives of the United States in Nic- aragua now enjoy, is not definitely ex- plained tonight. It is expected, how. ever. that vice-Consul Caldera, who has been occupying the legation in Managua, together with the other con- suls in that country, will be given their passports tomorrow. This is the usual procedure in case of such action between Governments.
 when seen tonight, Senor Rodriguez was excited in manner, but his discus sion of the situation was brief.
 We are stricken to the heart; we are paralyzed." was his expression. X There was, hiwever. little evidence at the Nicaraguan legation of such pro- found depression. On the contrary. it was the scene of much gaietyA .
 Central American Compact.
 Two years ago. through the efforts of MT. Root. then Secretary of State. representatives of all the Central American republics, at the moment on the point of general warfare owing, 1t is alleged to the overweening ann bitions of President Zelaya to become the dictator of General America. were brought to this capital and induced to enter into a solemn compact to refrain from exploitation of the Territories of one another and to observe the rules of civilized intercourse.
 Especially were they pledged to submit to arbitration instead of put ting to the test of warfare any diff ference that might arise beween them The integrity of Honduras was guar anteed.
 Now Secretary Knox practically charges that each one of these stipu- iations was violated by President Ze- iaya. He has dominated Honduras, whose President is declared to be only his mouthpiece, and Zelaya has not hesitated to violate the laws of neu- trality by sending his troops, with out warrant or permission. into Sal- yador and Costa Rica. That he would have done the same in the case of Guatemala had the revolution extended
 ..4 there is no doubt.
 It was well understood, though never reduced to a form of a treaty. that not only the United States but Mex leo, would undertake to see that the provisions of this treaty were effec- five, though moral suasion was sup posed to be the main reliance to ac- .complish it's purpose.
 This has utterly failed after trial of nearly two years! Reports to the Department of State from its diplo- .matic and consular agents, have shown that during that period of time Presi- ident Zelaya has been stirring up dis content in the neighboring Central American republics; giving substan- tial aid to would-be revolutionists and doing everything possible to bring about a state of affairs that would warrant his invading the territory of his neighbors.
 Hut the lnCeThdI COuuiliOub III NiCd- ragua revealed by these reports have never been told to the public because the moral turpitude involved Is almost byond belief However. State Depart ment officials have disclosed enough to show that a condition of absolute des- potism has existed in Nicaragua with lsuch accompaniments of rapine, mur- der. extortion and barbarous treatment of political prisoners as has been un- 1rnown since the middle ages.
 Zelaya Went too Far.
 Other Central American republics have protested against conditions in Nicaragua, but the State Department has felt loath to interfere in the in- ternai affairs of another nation and nrobably would have refrained even now. had now Zelaya gone to the length of torturing and killing two Americans engaged in honorable war fare.
 zeiaya's agents simply stated that the executions were in accordance with the law of Nicaragua, but the State Department finds that that law Co Zelaya.
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