The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-17
RESIGNATION OF
 zELAYA PLEASES Nicaraguan Dictator Has Yet to
 Answer for Crimes
ESTRADA'S CHANGES GOOD
United States Will Not Consent to the Naming Of Madriz as President But Will Favor the Election
 of Estrada.

Wash1ngton, December 16.-NeWS or the resignation Of President Zelaya of Nica- ragua, communicated to government of ncials through the dispatches to the As- sociated Press, was received with evident satisfaction at the state department and elsewhere here tonight, but not one syl- lable of comment could be elicited from any responsible officer of the administra- ton.
 It is said. however, that Zelaya's resig- nation, welcome as it Is, has by no means removed him from the attention of this government. Secretary Knox's recent let ter of dismissal to Senor Rodriguez, the Nicaraguan charge d'afairss. plainly in- dicated the intention of the United States to hold Zelaya and his circle of advisers personally responsible for the killing of the two Americans. Grcce and Cannon. and nobody here tonight believes that zelaya's retirement materially mitigates his personal peril, as defendant before the bar at which MT. Knox has arraigned him on the charge substantially of mur- der in tho first degree.
 AS for Zelaya's successor, it is well un-
  look with disfavcr upon the installation in Zelaya's place of any of his following. It is not too much to say that any body that could be acceptable to zelaya and his adherents will be viewed with sus- picion by Washington
 Sympathy With Estrada.
 The fact Is beyond doubt that from the beginning of the present revolution in Nicaragua, notwithstanding their own ostentatiously correct attitude of neutral ity, the sympathies of the state depart ment officials have been with Estrada, the revolutionary leader, and while, of course. no government official would openly say such a thing. 1t is perfectly well understood here that every one of them hopes that the outcome will find Es- trada in the presidency of Nicaragua
 No orders have been issued to the Amer ican vessels of war now in Nicaragua waters as a result of the resignation of Zelaya- Indeed, it is improbable that any news of this development in the situation had reached the navy department until tonight, when Assistant Secretary Beck man Winthrop was informed by the As- socisted Press of the resignation of the Nicaraguan President.
 No change in the naval programme as it relates to Nicaragua will be made. MT. winthrop said, unless desire for such a change is manifested by the President and the state department It will remain for a conference between the President and Secretary Knox to be held probably to- morrow to determine whether the new as- pect given the situation through Zelaya's resignation calls for any alteration of the naval plans.
 Attitude of Mexico.
 It developed tonight in advices from Mexico that the keys of tho Nicaraguan legation, which has been closed since Secretary Knox's ultimatum was deliv- cred, have been turned over together with the archives and furniture of the legation to Balbino Davalos. charge d'af- faires of the Mexican government. This action is accepted among diplomats as proving the friendship of Mexico for Zelaya, for, they argue. such custody would not have been conferred had the Nicaraguan government not been assured of the entire good will of Mexico.
 Late tonight the minister from Salva- dor, Senor Mejia, gave out cablegram he had received from President Figueroa denying in the most positive terms the statement originating in Managua ani published in several newspapers this morning that he had given his approval to the circular recently issued by Pres ident Zelaya to the several Central American governments critcising Secre- tary Knox and the policy of the United States toward Nicaragua.
 There was general rejoicing among the