The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-12-07

tidL ltdS Euleu Nicaragua Win an iron
hand, substituting military force where
moral suasiOn proved ineffective. and
sowing the seed of discoTd among the
other Central American states. which
would ultimately be harvested to his ad-
vantage.
Compelled to Pay Toll.
All industries. whether native or foreign.
have. been compelled to pay toll to this
aVarlClOus ruler, who supports his VaTi-
Gus military movements with the pro-
ceeds. The most profitable of these, such
as sugar, tobacco and coffee, are con-
trOlled by himself or his representatives.
and the vast returns have made him i'm
mensely wealthy.
One source of revenue, however he has
been unable to get control Of namely, the
vast mineral wealth on the eastern coast
Yankee ingenuity has developed this sec
ton, and despite the heart breaking tariff
and various other Zelayan schemes the
Americans have managed to retain their
hold.
Zelaya has blamed the Americans for
the many revolutions stirred up against
him, and when the recent and most seri-
Gus uprising broke out in the Buefields
district, 1t did not serve to increase his
affection This has been the basis for the
report that the execution of GrOce and
Cannon was purely matter of personal
revenge on the part of the Nicaraguan
executive.
Zelaya is a man with a purpose. and
for many years. even before his advent
10 the presidency, has had in mind the
union of the Central American states
with himself at their head.
Born of wealthy parents. very little IS
known of his early life except that he
was of "unmiXed" blood. The date of
his birth is fixed between 1S45 and 1880.
According to the best information OBJ
talndble, his early DAYS were spent i'm the
dirty little city of Managua, the capital
of Nicaragua, where. with his incident
companions. he passed his time i'm gam
bling and cock fighting.
Began Career in Army.
As military service is compulsory.
young Zelaya entered the army at an
early age This marked the beginning Of
his career. The energetic qualities of his
character, which had long lain dormant
now asserted themselves.
The enormous power Of the army i'm the
affairs of the state formed a blaZed path
for his stormy career. He quickly recOg-
nizeG the vast undeyelOped mineral and
agricultural wealth Of the Central Amer
lean states, and the deterrent effect the
revolutionary character Of the inhabitants
had on the COuntTY's future. His pro-
phetic eve easily disceTned the vast rev
enues that would ensue when the five
states were formed into one harmonious
nation.
But he was also keen enough to appra-
ciate his deficiencies. He knew he must
possess a thorough knowledge of state
and military affairs in order to realize
this dream Of an empire.
So with this end i'm view, he left his ma
tive country and spent ten years in trav-
cling in Europe and the United States
where he studied the various forms of
government and military training.
Fully equipped for his new enterprise
be returned to Nicaragua. where his SUI
DerlOT knowledge of military tactics won
him a place at the head of the army
Then he waited Tor his opportunity. This
came i'm 1888, when. after ne had SUP
J. In emo Naa
mace himself president The dramatic
details Of this event furnish a good illu-
tration Of Zalaya's character.
Seized the Presidency.
President Sarcasa. who was then in Of
flee and the members of his cabinet We're
seated in the council room of the capitol
at Managua, 10 welcome the victorious
general
When Zelaya. surrounded by his Off
GERS, STROBE majestically into the room
the president began his little speech OF
thanks, praising the eonqueror for his
great victory. But the expression i'm the
piercing gray eyes of the stalwart soldier
caused the words to die in his throat
Then drawing a revolver from his belt
Zelaya advanced to the table while all
present. with the exception Of his escort,
turned pale.
THE revolution is deadw he said.
Long live the revolution, I am now the
revolution. Do you think ] Won the vic
My army holds the town and the coun-
try. The soldiers are devoted to me. 1t
is useless for you TO protest or resist.
To-day you must all leave the city uu-
depart to the United States or Europe by
the first steamer. If you refuse YOU
will be shot"
They went.
Zelaya had now achieved the first step
of his ambition. With a well equipped
army, he quickly silenced all opposition.
for, as he was wont TO say. Opposition is
anarchy. and anarchy must be sup
pressed
British Consul Failed.
Soon after he assumed control. he is
sued proclamation Incorporating the
Mosquito coast, which lies on the Atlantic
side under the protest from the British
consul, who was clapped into Jail because
of his persistency. England Immediately
jumped I'm and brought Zelaya to his
senses by forcing him to pay an indem-
nifty Of $4,000
In 1891 he drafted a new constitution.
but, from Zelayan point of view, there
was a serious defect in it. which provided
that president could not succeed him
self. He had this remedied by an amend
ment i'm 1895
In the meantime. he had begun his ac-
tive campaign against Honduras. The
settlement Of this was not satisfactory
and was quickly followed by another His
army was spending the great
er part of its time marching across the
state line On the slightest pretext old
troubles We're revived and when There
was nothing else to fight about zelaya
would select the boundary line as an ex-
cuse; this being a never failing source of
dispute, since the states were first
formed
Finally. with the aid Of the United
States and Mexico a Central American
pesce conference was held in Washing
ton in 1897 and each republic signed a
not to interfere with the gov
ernment of the other, and agreed to refer
ali TO a court of arbitration at Costa Rica
Under the watchful eye Of this country
and Mexico, this agreement has been
fairly well carried out. although Zelaya
has been charged several times with try
ing to destroy the Costa Rican court.
zeEaya's Diplomacy.
His military efforts curbed by this
agreement Zelaya began exercising di-
-