The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-12-09
NICARAGUAN PRESIDENT A COM
MON ASSASSIN IN EYES OF
UNITED STATES.
NOW FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE.
Commanders of American Vessels In
structed to Prevent Escape of
Republics Tyrant.
MAY BE TRIED AND EXECUTED.

PRESIDENT Lelaya Oh NlCdTaSud mas De-
come a fugitive from justice and 4 com
mon murderer in the eyes of the United
States, is the report which has come
from the state department. The Mic
araguan executive faces either execu-
ton or imprisonment as criminal.
Commanders Of American vessels off
the Central American coast have been
instructed to adopt every precautlon TO
prevent the escape of the President of
the revolution ridden republic, even to
searching all outgoing vessels.
Zelaya is to be tried rs the murderer
of Groce and Cannon, the Americans
tortured and executed at his orders.
Whether the trial will come under the
regime which would attend the success
Of the revolutionists or under the pro
visional rule of the United States should
an army of occupation be landed, later
events will determine.
Murderer by Own Admission.
Zelaya's own admission that Groce and
Cannon were officers of the revolution
airy army decided the state department
on the plan of having him tried for muir
der if he can be captured. The United
States governments position Is that i'll
killing the Americans, outside the rules
of civilized warfare, Zelaya was as
guilty of murder as a highwayman who
kills to rob, and that the best possible
lesson to disturbers in Central America
will be to treat Zeleya as n common
murderer and not as Il romantic adven-
turer.
IL the Estrada government is success
full. it will try, and probably execute,
Lelaya on the charge to be brought by
his relatives. This is safe prediction,
as Estrada never can hope to become
President without the approval of the
United States, and he will do what is
suggested to him.
Executive Will Be Tried.
In the event that the United States
finds it necessary to establish a proyi-
sional government in Nicaragua, which
is considered the certain course by the
administration, Zelaya will be tried and
certainly executed by the provisional
government
At the present time former President
Zelaya, in the official eyes of the Unit
ed States government, is not political
refugee nor a leader of military force,
but fugitive from justice charged with
murder.
With the arrival at Corinto. today or
possibly tomorrow of the cruiser Albany
and the gunboat Yorktown from Mag
dalena bay, the United States will be in
a position to take as aggressive steps as
the occasion demands for the protection
of American interests along the Pacific
coast of Nicaragua.
Force Is Large Enough.
Together with the assistance Of the
gunboat NickSburg, the three warShipS
will have a quota of fighting men Of
about 600. The guns aboard the yes
sells are considered large enough to sub
due any hostile demonstration against
Americans in any of the seaport towns
In event Of trouble in the interior, the
600 men with a supply of ammunition
are regarded as force sufficient to
bring fear to any force likely to present
themselves in opposition.
1t is believed in Washington, how
ever, that the mere presence of the three
ships in the harbor of Corinto will be
enough to ensure the safety of Amer
can citizens and American property ON
the Pacific slope. Landing of blue
jackets, or the Smelling of seaports is not
expected.
Cannon Beaten in Cell.
RICHMOND, Ind, Dec. 4.-"Lerov
Cannon was beaten in prison by Xelaya's
order, and was eager for revenge" said
Isham SedgwiCk, a coffee planter of Nj
caragua, who is in this city visiting rela-
tives today.
II knew Cannon WELL" continued Mr.
Sedgwick, ''the last time | saw him was
on July 4 at Guatemala City. He had
escaped from prison. He told me he was
determined to get even with Xelaya for
having him whipped. He had been i'm
prisoned on n charge of smuggling and
had resisted arrest. After my meeting
with him he returned and joined the
revolutionary forces"
Prairie Still Aground.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Dec. 4-Thc
transport Prairie, carrying 100 marines
and cargo of equipment to he used in
a possible campaign in Nicaraig.a is still
stuck in the mud at Pea Patch island,
thirty-five miles from mis- city, where
the vessel grounded early Thursday night.
No attempt was made to pull the big ship
out of the mud on the flood tide at ; H.
m today, but an effort will be made at
5 O'Clock this afternoon. The Tightening
of the vessels coal and stores continues
without interruption. The ammunition
is also being unloaded, and because OF
the dangerous character of the contents
of the ammunition boxes, this work is
proceeding slowly. The marines have not
yet been taken off, but they probably will
have to be sent ashore.
The Prairie is almost quarter of n
mile out of her course, rivermen declare,
and they say the entire cargo may have
to be taken out before the tug, will bp
able to float her. The Prairie is so hard
aground that it is expected she will have
TO be brought back to the navy yard here
for survey. SO far as can be learned. no
damage has yet bee MOUND.
The transport Dixie, now at the navy
yard, which may be called upon to take
the place of the Prairie is far from pre-
pared for a sea voyage. The shin was
being made ready for sea when the
Prairie struck, but was not being hur-
ried. Since the mshnp occurred to the
other transport. work on the Dixie has
been quickcned