Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-12-08
HOT SHOT FROM KNOX
FOR PRESIDENT zELAYA

minister longer to reside In Managua
From every point of view it has be
come difficult for the United States
TO further delay a more active re
Spouse to tie appeals so long made
j to its duty to its citizens, to its dig
nifty, to Central America and to civil
i2ation.
The government of the United
| States is convinced that the revo'u-
( ton represents the IDEALS ard will OF
the majority Of the Nicaraguan PEG
pie more fa;ttsfml'!S than does the gov.
eminent IF President ZeIaya. and
that its peaceful control is we'll nigh
as extensive as that hitherto so stern
~ attempted by the government at
Managua
There now is added the fact. of
ficially reported from more than one
quarter, that there are indications of
rising in the western provinces in
favor Of presidential candidate init
mately associated with the old regime.
Thus new elements are tending to-
ward condition of anarchy which
leaves no definite responsible source
to which the United States could look
for reparation for the killing of Can
non and Groce or for that protection
which must be assured American citi-
zens and American interests in Mica
ragua.
In these circumstances the presi-
dent no longer feels for the govern
ment of Zelaya that respect and con-
fidence which make it appropriate
hereafter to maintain with it regular
diplomatic relations, implying a will
and ability to respect and assure what
is due from one state to another.
The government of Nicaragua is
hereby notified, as will he also the
leaders of the revolution, that the
United States will hold strictly ao,
countable for the protection of Amer
lean life and property the factions, De
Facto, in control OF the eastern and
western portions of Nicaragua.
AS for the reparation found due,
after careful consideration, for the
killing of Groce and Cannon, the Unit
ed States will be loath to impose up,I
on the innocent people of Nicaragua
too heavy burden of expiation for
the acts of regime forced upon them
or to exact policies by the imposition
or such burdens. Into the question
of ultimate reparation there must
enter the question of the existence at
Managua of a government capable OF
responding to demands. There must
enter also the question of how far 1t
is possible to reach those actually re-
sponsible and those who perpetrated
the tortures reported to have preceded
the executions, if these be verified;
and the question of whether the gov
eminent be one entirely disassociated
from the present intolerable condi-
tons and worthy to be trusted to
make impossible recurrence of s'Icn
acts, in which case the president. as
friend of your country, as of the
other republics of Central America,
might be disposed to have the indem-
nifty confined to what is reason ably
due to the relatives of the deceased
and punitive only so far as punish
ment might fall where really due.
In pursuance of this, the United
States temporarily will withhold a de-
mand for PREPARATION, meanwhile TAX
ing such steps as it deems wise and
proper to protect American inter
ests.
To insure the future protection of
legitimate American interests and in
consideration of the interests of a ma
jority of the Central American re-
publics. and in the hope of making
more effective the friendly offices ex-
erted under the Washington conven-
lions, the government of the United
States reserves for further consider
Grafton the question of STIMULATING also
that the constitutional government OF
Nicaragua obligate itself by conyen-
ton, for the benefit of all the govern
ments concerned, as a guarantee OF
it's future loyal support OF the Wash
fngton conventions and their peaceful
progressive aims
From the foregoing it will be ap-
parent that your office as charge d. af-
flares is ended / have the honor to
enclose your passport, in case you de-
sire to leave the country Although
your diplomatic quality is terminated,
will be happy to receive you, as /
viii be happy &c receive the represen-
tatiye OF the evolution, each as an
unofficial chan mel Of communication
between the GOV eminent of the United
States and the De Facto authorities;
to whom look for the protection oil.
American interests pending the estab-
lishment in Nicaragua of a govern
ment with which the United States
can maintain diplomatic relations.
Accept, sir, renewed assurances of
my nigh consideration.
-Philander C. Knox.
To Felipe Rodriguez, Esquire, Wash
! !ngton.
The Washington Conventions.
! The Washington conventions re-
ferred TO by Secretary Knox com.
/ prised the compact between the Cen
/ trail American republics, brought
about two years ago through Secretary
Root and the Mexican government.
The Central American republics had
been on the point of a general var
fare, largely due, 1t was alleged, to
/ the over-weening ambitions of Zelaya