Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-02

each as the unofficial channel OF com
munication between the government of
the United States and the de facto au-
thorltics to whom I look for the pro-
lection OF American interests pending
the establishment in Nicaragua or n
government with which the United
States can maintain diplomatic rela-
tions.
Accept sir, the renewed assurances
OF my high consideration
"P. C. KNOX.
"ro Felipo Rodriguez, Esquire"
WHAT KNOX MEANS
Just what Secy Knox. meant in his
letter to Senior Rodriguez by the refer
ence to the Washington agreement of
two years ago is disclosed by reference
10 that convention
Through the efforts OF Mn Root. then
secretary OF state. representatives OF
the Central American republics. then
on the point of a general warfare.
largely due. 1t was alleged, to the am
btion of President Zelnya to become
dictator of Central America. were
brought TO Washington and induced to
enter into "a compact to refrain from en-
ploitation of the territories of one an
other and to observe rules OF civilized
intercourse. Especially were they
pledged to submit to arbitration In
stead of putting to the test of war any
differences that might arise between
them. The integrity of Honduras was
guaranteed
Now Secy. Knox practically charges
that all these stipulations wore violat-
ed by President Zelaya. He has dom
mated Honduras, whose president is
declared TO be only his mouthpiece.
and Ielaya has not hesitated to violate
the laws OF neutrality by sending
troops without warrant or permission
nff va a Inr nj Ia.
would have done the same In the case
OF Guatemala had the revolution ex-
tended to the northern frontier of Mic
aragua there is no doubt
WHAT WAS UNDERSTOOD.
II was we'll understood, though never
reduced to the form of treaty, that.
not only the United States, but Mexico,
would undertake to sec that provisions
of the treaty wern effective, though
purely moral suasion was supposed to
be the main reliance to accomplish
this.
This has utterly failed. after trial
OF nearly two years. Reports to the
department OF state from its diploma
tic and consular agents have shown
that in that period President Zelaya
has been stirring up discomfort in 9TH
cr central American republics, giving
substantial aid to the would be reyolu-
uonists and doing everything possible
TO bring about state OF affairs that
would warrant him I'm invading terri
tory of his nelghbors.
But internal conditions in Nicaragua
revealed by these reports have never
been made public because the moral
turpitude involved is almost boyond
belief- While these reports are still
withheld from publication, officials of
the department of state have disclosed
enough TO show that condition of
absolute despotism has existed in Mic
aragua, with accompaniment such as
rapine, murder, eXtortion and barbar-
Gus treatment of political prisoners. ,n-
known since medieval times.
AS Secy. Knox said I'm his letter other
Central American republics have pro-
tested in vain against conditions in
Nicaragua, but the state department.
mas felt loath to violate its old tradI-
tons of non-interference in the inter
nal affairs of other nations and prob
ably would have refrained even now
mad not Zelaya gone to the length OF
torturing and killing two Americans
engaged in honorable warfare,
In answer to tho departments dc.
mands FOR an explanation, Zelaya's s
agents simply stated that the execu-
tions were In accordance with the law
OF Nicaragua, but the State department
finds that that law Is Zelaya and that
the action was In violation Of all rules
of civilized warfare.