The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-10-01
NICARAGUA POOR
PLACE FOR YOUNG
YANKEES LOCATE
American Newspaper Man,
Now in Richmond, Tells of
His Experiences in the Land
Of Insurrection.
SEDGWICK'S CLAIMS
DISPUTED BY TRUSS
He Alleges That Nicaraguan
Company Promoted by Lo-
cal Capital Is a Failure
Will Write Book.

SOulICIIuS otdIcucHIo IcldllSe W TIC
alleged land Of opportunity for young
men--Nicaragua-hav been made in
this city within the last month. Isham
Sedgwick, coffee planter at Matagal-
pa, Nicaragua, and former resident Of
this city, who visited relatives here re-
Gently and who pictured Nicaragua as
the land OF promise, entertains an en-
tirely different view of the country
than Robert E. Truss, former editor Of
THE American" the only English pub
lication in Central America, now a
guest at the Westcott hotel.
Mr.. Truss has been a resident OF
Central America for thirteen years ard
is entirely familiar with all conditions
there, at one time being a planter and
interested in the investments in land
in which local citizens own conNdera-
BILE shares. He says Nicaragua is not
without it's excitement when one prac-
tees American journalism. The edi-
tor and his staff have to spend much
OF their time lodging the bullets or
knives of some hired assassin.
Game Was Too Warm.
The game became too warm for Mr..
Truss-he having had several fights
prior to his exit from that country
that he sold his paper to the govern
ment, he says. at a good profit. He
had devoted his attention in attacking
the government for it's graft and the
Bluefields Steamship Co., for it's bust
ness management. President Zelaya
of Nicaragua, is known as a despot
and he does not particularly admire
any one who has the nerve to buck his
game. Such thing as the removal Of
an enemy by death, is not unknown to
the chief executive of that country, Mr..
Truss says. The Bluefields Steamship
Co., he says, virtually controls the east
ern part Of Nicaragua and being also a
dictator, hates to have it's schemes ex-
posed and opposed.
Mr.. Truss says, Nicaragua is h
of q country" It's characteristics are
not for the advancement of business
morals or anything else which is en-
joyed in the United States. The coun
try is like the people, unbalanced and,
in many respects. semi-civilized. AS
to its opportunity. it virtually has
none. because of the despotic rule OF
Zelaya and the averice of the CONTROL
ing business arrangements. Mr.. Truss
says it is criminal to advise a young
man to 60 to that country.
He Only Has Abuse.
Mr.. Truss has no good words for
Nicaragua or other Spanish-American
countries. and he has not finished with
them as yet He will write a book, in
which he intends to expose the condi-
cided what he will do but he is consid-
ering going back to Costa Rica, where
the people are more civilized, better
educated and more refined than in
any other Central American country,
he says.
The local company, which was or
ganized several years ago. for the pur-
pose Of growing coffee and tobacco. is
having hard times. according to Mr..
Truss. He was interested in this
company at one time and since leaving
Nicaragua he has received a letter from
friend in which he states that the
"Esmeralda," the first venture of the
local company. has gone to grass" In
this letter, his friend states that it was
recently sold to pay a small wage bill
OF the superintendent, San Francisco
man.
Planters can barely make living
and nothing else, according to Mr..
Truss. The government charges heavy
export duty, also a heavy import duty.
These duties are so excessive that cap
italists are not making investments in
the country. unless they can get in
with President Zelaya.