The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-12-02
KNOX PAVES way
FOR HOST|LIT|ES
Hands zelaya's Representa-.
tive His Passports.
SEWERS ALL RELATIONS

Scores President OF Nicaragua For
Violations Of Terms Of Washington
Convention and Calls Hia Regime
Blot on History Of Repuolic--ssys
He 10 Convinced Cannon and Groee
Were illegally Esecuted---ouestion IN
OF Repsrstion Left Open.
Washington, Dec. 2. - Diplomatic
relations between the United States
and Nicaragua were severed by this
government. The charge d'affaires
of Nicaragua was handed his pass.
ports. This Action does not mean the
initiation of hostilities, but is the
usual preliminary to that condition.
The blow was softened, however, by
suggestion to the representative Of
Nicaragua that he might remain in
Washington. where he would be re.
ceived unofficially by the state de-
partment. incidentally the insur
gents government was recognized
virtually.
The radical action Of the United
states was the direct outcome OF the
execution Of the American citizens,
Leroy Cannon and leonard Groce. by
order Of President Zelaya of Nicara.
qua. In severing relations with Ze.
laya's government Secretary OF State
Knox took the first step toward pun
ishing Zelaya for the Cannon and
Groce executions and repeated viola
tons Of the conventions Of the Cen
tral American peace conference,
which was fostered by the United
States and Mexico.
Mr.. Knox's action took the form of
a diplomatic note to Senior Felipe
Rodriguez, Nicaraguas charge daft
faires. II was sent after a long con.
ference between President Taft and
Mr.. Knox. The action of the state
department caused no surprise in dip
lomatic circles. II has been under
stood generally that such action
would be taken when the department
completed Its investigation into the
deaths Of the two men.
Mr. Knox, In his note to Senor
Rodriguez, calls attention to the fact
that since the Washington conven.
tion Of 1907 1t is notorious that Pres.
ident Zelaya has kept Central Amer
lea in continual state OF turmoil by
frequent violations of the provisions
Of the convention. He charges that
nm Za1a -
tutions have ceased 20 exist In Mica
ragua except in name, and he char.
acterizes the Zelaya regime as a blot
upon the history Of Nicaragua.
Reference to the Cannon. .Groce af-
fair is made in the following Ian.
guage: "In view OF the interests OF
the United States and of its relation
TO the Washington conventions, ap-
peal against this situation has long
since been made to this government
by a majority OF the Central Ameri
can republics. There is now added
the appeal, through the revolution, of
a great body OF the Nicaraguan peo-
pie. Two Americans who, this gov
eminent Is now convinced, were Off
GERS connected with the revolutionary
forces and therefore entitled to be
dealt with according to the enlight-
ened practice of civilized nations,
have been killed by direct order of
President Zelaya. Their execution is
said to have been preceded by bar
barous cruelties. The consulate at
Managua is now officially reported to
have been menaced. There is thus a
sinister elimination OF an administra-
tion also characterized by a cruelty
to Its own citizens which has, until
the recent outrage, found vent in the
ease OF this country in a succession
OF petty annoyances and indignities
which many months ago made 1t i'm
possible TO ask an American minister
longer TO reside at Managua."
Recognition of the insurgent gov.
is made In the following
language; The government of the
United States Is convinced that the
revolution represents the ideals and
the will OF q majority of the Nicara-
guam people more faithfully than
does the government of President
zelaya, and that It's peaceable con-
troll is well nigh as extensive as that
hitherto so sternly attempted by the |
government at Managua."
The matter Of reparation Is left
open until the existence Of govern
ment at Managua capable OF respond
Ing to demands is established.