The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-12-09
The Niearasuan Trouble.

Since the Washington conventions OF
1G17 were communicated 10 the gov
ernment OF the United States as con
sulting and advising party this gov
! ernment has been almost continuously
| called upon by one or another ana IN
| turn by all Of the FIVE Central Amer
lean republics TO exert Itself for the
maintenance of the conventions. Near
ly every complaint has been against
the Zelaya government Of Nicaragua.
which has kept Central America IN
constant tension or turmoil The re-
sponses made to the representations or
Central American republics as due
from the United States on account or
its relation 10 the Wa IN conyen'
tlons have been at all conserva'
tive and have avoided. 50 lar as posi-
ble. any semblance Of interference, nj
though It Is very apparent that the
considerations Of geographic proximity
TO the canal zone and Of the very sub
stantial American interests In Central
America give to the United States =
special position in the zone OF these
republics aud the Caribbean sea
| need not rehearse here the patient
efforts Of this government TO promote
peace and welfare among these re
publics, efforts which are fully appre
clated by the majority OF them who
are loyal to their true interests. IL
would he 10 less unnecessary TO re-
hearse here the sad tale OF unspeak-
able barbariiles and oppression alleged
TO have been committed by the Ielaya
government Recently two Americans
were put TO death by order OF Presl-
dent Zelaya himself They were OIL
GERS in the organized forces Of rev
olutlon which had continued many
weeks and was IN control OF about
half Of the republic aud as such, ac-
cording to the modern enlightened
practice OF civilized nations. they were
entitled to he dealt with as prisoners
Of war.
At the date when this message Is
printed this government has termi'
mated diplomatic relations with the
Zelaya government for reasons made
public IN a communication to the FOR
mer Nicaraguan charge d'affaircs and
is intending TO take such future steps
as may be found most consistent with
1s dignity. its duty to American In
terests and its moral obligations TO
Central America and TO civilization. il
may later be necessary for me to bring
this subject to the attention OF u
congress In a special message.
In the Far East.
In the far east this government pre-
serves unchanged its policy of support
Ing the principle Of equality Of oppor-
tunity and scrupulous respect for the
integrity Of the Chinese empire, Z
which policy are pledged the interest
cd powers Of both east and west.
By the treaty OF 1903 China has un-
dertaken the abolition Of likin with
moderate and proportIonate raising OF
thecustoms tariff along with currency
reform. These reforms being mani
fest advantage to foreign commerce as
we'll as 10 the interests of China. this
government Is endeavoring to facili
tate these measures and the needfui
acquiescence OF the treaty powers.
When It appeared that Chinese hkin
revenues we're to be hypothecated to
foreign bankers in connection with
great railway project 1t was obvious
that the governments whose nationals
held this loan would have a certain
direct interest In the question OF the
carrying out by China Of the reforms
In question. The administration deem
ed American participation to be OF
great national interest. Happily. when
n.u nnii rIx DIV nrc faru