Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-24
Zelaya May Seek Asylum
on Mexican Gunb0at TODAY

| MANAGUA, Nicaragua, December "a
President Zelaya is preparing to nee from
Nicaragua today.
The Mexican gunboat Gen. Guerrero
now at Corinto. probably will take the
fugitive dictator on board.
Outbreaks against one-time followers
OF Zelaya have impressed him with a
strong sense Of personal peril. He ID
planning to take q strong bodyguard with
him to Corinto.
In the meantime ne is in strict retire
ment in his residence. not having been
seen since he appeared at the formal In
duction Of President Madriz.
Close censorship is maintained over
all news from the scene Of hostilities. The
defeat Of Zelaya's forces by Gen. Estrada
at Rama has not been officially ANNOUNCE
ed. 1t has been made public. however,
that Gen. Gonzales had reported a VIC
tory. Rumors Of the Zelayan defeat are
rife. however. in the streets OF the capt.
tai.
Managua at Estrada's Mercy.
President Madriz has made no attempt
to defend Managua against a possible on
slaught by Gen. Estrada's men. His
forces here are pitifully inadequate for
such q task.
President Madriz has announced the
discovery Of horrifying conditions in the
Managua penitentiary.
Thousand lashes were administered
to two political prisoners under Presi-
dent Zelaya's orders during the last three
months. Arturo Rojas Pedro Arauz, a
Colombian subject. and Ramon Jimenez
were the prisoners logged. Convicts
were compelled to battle in foul and
stasnant water and to wear heavy chains
and shackles.
President Madriz has ordered the i'm
mediate cancellation OF Zelaya's peni-
Tertiary orders and enjoined humane
treatment Of all prisoners.
Injustice to Americans.
The Nicaraguan who defended Groce
and Csnnon at the court martial which
preceded their death called at the Amer
lean consulate yesterday to furnish au-
thentic evidence OF trial proceedings. He
declared that the prisoners did not re-
ceive fair and impartial trial and that
were pre3udieed.
Secretary Knox is completing the pre-
liminaries OF a demand for heavy in
demnity. Cipher cables are exchanged
with the consulate.
indemnity within few days Nicaragua
cannot pay q large amount, because the
republic 10 bankrupt
Eminent Nicaraguan lawyers. after ex-
aiming the court-nlartial PROCEEDINGS.
declare that the execution OF Cannon
and Groce was against the Nicaraguan
constitution and the military code. They
contend that the law applies only to
soldiers OF tho Nicaraguan army and NOT
to armed enemies.
Executions Were Unlawful.
The evidence shows that Cannon con-
fessed only as q revolutionist Four
members Of the Nicaraguan congress
have made signed statement, denounc-
Ing the execution as unlawful.
Senior Solomon Selva. the Nicaraguan
lawyer. delegated by Zelaya to prosecute
the American prisoners, expressed the
opinion before the trial that the two
Americans should be shot. Gen Toledo.
commanding the Nicaraguan forces, re-
fused to carry out the execution order.
Zelaya named Gen. Medina after Gen.
TOledo's refusal. Cannon and Groce and
| Gen. Medina were brother Masons
| 6enor Caldera. vice consul, says Zelaya
promised to notify him before approving
the court-martial sentence, but said MOTH
ing until twenty-four hours after the exc
cution. The bodies cannot be disinterred
| for fve years. under the Nicaraguan
law. unless special permission il granted
Nicaraguan congress adjourned yester-
day until January 2 for the holidays