New-York tribune., 1909-12-11
ZELAYA'S DEFENCE
FORCED TO SUBMIT
TO AMERICA.
Upholds Erecntion of Cannon
and Groce-Ofer to
Secretary Knor.

Manogua, Nicaragua, Dec. 10.-"The
United States unjustly condemns my ad-
ministration," said President Zelaya in
an interview with staff correspondent
Of The Associated Press to-day. Il pro-
posed TO Secretary Knox that he sub
NIT the case to the investigation of a
committee of his own choosing. agreeing
TO surrender my rights to the Presidency
If the charges in his letter TO Isidoro
Hozera, former Nicaraguan Minister to
the United States, were sustained. Sec
retary Knox has not replied.
'Defenceless against the hostility of a
powerful nation. 1 must submit, although
| have been condemned unheard.
"The coercion of the United States
will not rebound TO the credit of that
nation. whose motives are questioned In
all Latin America. The shooting If
Groce and Cannon was a pretext Both
were amenable to the laws of Nicaragua,
which distinctly authorize the shooting
OF individuals commanding rebels. II is
different If a person is captured during
the course of an international war. The
attempt Of Secretary Knox TO establish
the inviolability of the persons of Amer
leans participating in foreign revolu-
tions will result in constant revolutions
led by immune Americans.
'The initiative in the shooting OF
Groce and Cannon was not mine. I sim
ply refused TO extend cIemency to them
after a properly constituted military tri-
bunal had passed on the case"
instances of alleged hostility against
him in the United States through paid
articles appearing in American news
papers. In one of these instances. he
says. he was endeavoring to raise a loan
i'm France when his enemies persuaded
the United States to interpose an objec-
tion through the French Ambassador at
Washington on the pretext that the
money sought was intended for the pur-
chase of war materials. when in reality
IL was to have been used in the con-
struction of railway.
While / am ready to surrender the
Presidency" continued President Zelaya.
II cannot do it precipitately. as il would
result in uprisings by several factions,
each of which is eager to secure power
81 am in negotiation with the revolu-
tionists to secure their Endorsement to a
successor who will be acceptable to all
parties. and have submitted the name Of
Jose Madriz. judge of the Cartago Court.
II hope this will obviate the necessity
for American Intervention. which would
would be intensely distasteful 10 the
whole of Latin America. / am informed
that IL is the intention of the United
States to prevent my leaving Nicaragua.
l do not believe this to be true"
IL is reported that the revolutionists
will reject Sefor Madriz as Zelaya's sue
cessor and insist on General Estrada's
assuming the Presidency, saying that
the United States has promised to fur
nish two thousand marines at Bluefelds
to bring about his success.
The hostility of the United States"
continued President Zelaya. lis due to
the Vaccinations Of Senior Cabrera,
President of Guatemala, whom / refused
In 1906 to join in an offensive and de-
fensive alliance OF Central America
against Mexico. and thereby thwarted
his efforts 10 establish a virtual dictator
ship In Central America. Since then
Cabrera has pursued me with relentless
enmity. poisoning the public mind
against me.
II am preparing TO refute the state
ment of Secretary Knox relative to the
contemptuous treatment OF American
diplomats here by submitting 10 him
letter from John Gardiner Coolidge. ex-
Continued second page
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