Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-23


women and children 10 obtain informa-
ton concerning his enemies.
A few years ago he arrested two promi-
nent citizens who did not agree with him.
had them shot in cold blood and burned
their bodies in public in the plaza. The
daughter of one of the victims became in
sane from the shock of witnessing the
murder of her father, and Zelaya had
her locked up in a dungeon as long as
she lived. Columns might be filled with
similar tales of his cruelty.
BY these means Zelaya has prolonged
his administration continuously for six
teen years. At the end of his first term
as president the congress of Nicaragua
by an ordinary vote reelected him for
second term without even taking the
trouble TO amend the constitution SO that
such an act might be lawful
The neighboring republics, particularly
Honduras and Salvador. are filled with
exiles from Nicaragua. There are few
in Guatemala. Costa Rica and Panama,
and quite large group in New York.
They are carefully watched by ex
in starting six different revolutions, which
Zelaya has been able to crush without
much trouble. The present revolution
was orgAnized by two brothers of a
prominent family. both generals in the
army. who have been very close to the
president in the past, but fell out with
him several years ago for some reason.
A third brother. also a general. still re-
tains his confidence and is commander OF
the troops at Managua His position is
doubtful. 1t has been reported that he is
in sympathy with the insurrectos, but
he remains in Managua and at least has
given no open signs OF sympathy:
These three generals are the uncles OF
present minister from Nicaragua in
Washington, and when he came here
last spring to relieve Mr. Corea the
gossips said that his appointment was due
his distinguished and influential rela-
tives
Recall of Mr.. Corea.
That story was accepted as SUFFICIENT
reason for the recall Of Mr.. Corea. who
for years had been a great favorite with
his president and had enjoyed his closest
confidence 1t was reported at the time
that Corea was displaced only for a few
months, ard until the quarrel between
Zelaya and the Estrada brothers could
be adjusted he would be given a vaca-
tion on full pay and a nominal errand in
Europe. Since then. however. it has been
given out that Corea was recalled because
he did not relieve the pressure from the
Department OF State at Washington
which compelled Zelaya to pay the En-
cry claim.
The present revolution is undoubtedly
the most serious that has ever been or
laya's despotism. and he is so closely
pressed that the United States consul
cables from Corinto that every able
bodied native over sixteen years Of age
has been forced into the army.
The constitution Of Nicaragua forbids
CONSUMPTION, and therefore these recruits
are volunteers" Some years ago, when
Zelaya was resisting another revolution,
one OF his lieutenants sent a couple Of
carloads Of recruits to Managua with a
note reading:
Il forward this day under charge OF
Teniente Zayas forty-two volunteers.
Please return the ropes with which they
are tied, because l shall need them to
secure the next detachment of volun-
teers.''
There is a report from Mexico that the
Nicaragua minister at that capital Is al
ready taking steps to make formal ap-
peal to the Central American court of
arbitration at Catargo, Costa RIGA, on the
preteXt that Salvador and Guatemala are
giving assistance to the revOlutionists,
which Is forbidden by the treaty of Wash
ington, entered into a year ago.
Treaty stipulations.
Under that treaty all differences be-
tween the Central American states are TO
be settled. without resort TO arms, by a
permanent international tribune. Zelaya
sent delegates to all Of the conferences;
he signed all of the treaties that have
been made. and they have been ratified by |
his congress. Last fall he prompted Presi :
dent Davillas to accuse Salvador and
Guatemala OF promoting a revolution in
Honduras. and was party to petition |
submitted to the court for Intervention, |
but he dropped out when he saw that the |
appeal was to be decided against him. and |
left Honduras to bear the brunt Of the |
case. He showed great contempt for the |
court at the time but would not hesitate |
to ask its Intervention. if he needed 1t.
But 1t is the almost unanimous opinion
among Central Americans that the other |
governments have had nothing to do with |
this revolution, because there is no hope !
for its success. II they had gone In at
all they would have made the movement
stronger than it Is. They all desire the |
overthrow of Zelaya. He has stirred up
many revolutions among them. Several !
years ago he sent an expedition to
Ecuador TO support Alfero. revolution |
ist, who was successful. He has aided |
revolutionary movements in Venezuela |
and Colombia. and when Panama declared
her independence. several years ago. the
Colombian government was getting ready |
to attack him on both coasts. to punish !
him for the trouble he had given her.
Financed Honduran Revolution.
Zelaya financed and directed success
full revolution in Honduras two years ago
which placed President Davillas in power, !
but the latter has slipped away from him
and is trying to give that distracted coun- !
try an honest government and a peaceful
period. Two years ago Zelaya released
all the criminals from the Nicara qua
penitentierw.s sent them up to Acajutla, !,
Salvador, upon the Momotombo, mis- gum
boat, and turned them loose against the
people there. They robbed the bank at
Sonsonate and killed a number of people
before they were overcome. That was in |.
tended to show his contempt for Presi- |
dent Figuregoa OF Salvador. whom he re-
CARDS as his, enemy. But he has no
friends and no followers except those who
fear him. -
For many years; there has been an
earnest effort ON, the part Of the states
men of Central America to reunite the
Ave republics into. a single confederation /
like that which existed after their indie |
pendence until 1888. Zelaya has pre- !
vented the success Of. this plan because |
he could not persuade or compel his COL |
leagues to make him the first president |
Of the confederation. That has been his |
great ambition.
Contempt for United States.
Zelaya's treatment Of the United States !