New-York tribune., 1909-12-16

orders by special court 90 selec. officers.
legally convicted as exciters of this savage
ano negro war. legally condemned and
TS mos' Justly punished for their inlquities
this case. with the volume OF restino1v
lusufyins their conviction, present scenes
which the heart siclen~ and in wTtch in
Nhis enlightened age. IL ought scarcely
20 oe believed that Christian nation would
nave participated. And Yet the british
government II involved IN the agency N
Arouthenot and Ambrister were not con-
nlc,ee as the authorized agents OF Great
brtain- there Is no room for doubt that
that government had a knowledxs ~
their assumed character ard was well al
y, sissa ef measures which they had adopted
20 excite the negroes and Indians I'm East
ftorida 70 war against .he United States
rope the execution OF these two unprin-
cipled villains viii prove an awful ex-
ample TO the world and convince fhe ,-o-s-
ernment OF Great Britain, as we'll as her
subjects. that certain or slow retrihufion
false promises. delude and excite an Tnits3
tribe 10 all the horrid deeds OF savage war
JACKSON WAS UPHELD.
The Spanish authorities protested ,agains,
the execution OF Arbuthenot and Ambrister
but President Monroe and his Secretary OF
State, John Quincy Adams. supported Gen
eral Jackson. The Spanish Minister at
Washington. Luis de Onis, IN one OF his
communications 10 Mr.. Adams. referred 70
the public and notorious acts OF General
Jackson. and said they were in violation ar
the sovereignty and dignity or a friendly
power. IL was an urquestiorable fact he
said, that General Jackson. "at the head
OF HIS army. fell upon Florida as a naughty
invader and eonquerOr. regardless OF the
laws OF humanity and the feelings OF nat
ure, and put 20 cruel death two foreigners
who there enjoyed the protection Of Spain
an asylum which has ever been held sacred
by all civilized nations"
When the government OF Great Britain
was put IN possession OF all the facts bear
ing on General JacksOn's Florida cam
paign. Il acknowledged that the United
States was within its rights IN executing
the two British subjects. Arbuthenot and
Anbri ster.
Authorities on international and military
law, a was pointed out in these dispatches
On November %. hold that the methods Of
civilized warfare have made such progress
since the days OF General Jackson that the
inniction Of the death penalty is per
missfble only in the case OF spies. and
therefore that Zelaya's execution of Groce
and Cannon was unwsrranted. II is point
ed out that the federal government in deal
ing with those whom II held 10 be its own
citizens, Confederate prisoners. extended 10
them the usual protection afforded prison.
ers OF war long before any nation had rec
ognizs6 the bellisereney OF the Confeder-
ate States.
KNOX ASKS DELAY.
Secretary Knox has requested the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations TO post
pOne the suggested investigation OF the
Nicaraguan situation so as 20 enable him
10 give 10 the committee a clear under
standing OF Central American affairs.
The committee was called together to-day
by Chairman Cullonl, with the idea OF hav-
ing Secretary Knox make some statement
which would acQuaint the members with
the exact situation in Nicaragua. The Sec
retary asked for a pOstpOnement Of the
meeting for a week or more. and the com
mittee acquiesced.
There was some discussion by the com
mittee OF the visit OF Mexico's special am
hassadOr. SeflOr Creel- The opinion was ex-
pressed that Senior CreeI should be received
by this government as the ambassador OF
President Diaz. 90 present any views Mex
ico may have in regard 20 the future or
Nicaragua or other Central American
states. but that he could not be received in
the capacity OF a mediator between Nicar-
aqua and the United States 10 consider diff
nculties arising over interference with
Americans or American interests.