The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-11-19
REBELS RECOGNIZED
Practical Recognition Given
Revolutionists Cause by :
Government.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1S.-An-
nouncement that this government is
tired of the high handed action of
small Central American republics
practically was contained in a dispatch
Steamship company, WHO sought the
protection of the state department
from interference by insurgents now
operating against Zedaya
An hour later a peremptory note
couched in diplomatic language, but
none the less direct, was delivered to
Senior Felipe Rodriguez, charge daft
manding a full and complete eXplana-
ton of the execution of two Amer
leans, Leonard Grace and Leroy Can
non killed by order of Zelaya when
they were found in the insurgent ar
my.
Pending a satisfactory explanation
for the occurrence, President Taft has
refused to recognize Isidore HaZera,
new Nicaraguan minister. Mr.. Taft
is thoroughly aroused by actions of
the Zelayan government and apparent
ly is determined to make the lives
Of American citizens much safer and
much more respected in Central Amer
lea than they have been hitherto.
The attitude of the government was
clearly shown late today when the
state department sent a dispatch to
headquarters of which is now in New
Orleans The company's regular
steamer was about to set sail for Blue
fields with a miscellaneous cargo in
which were a. number of rifles and
other munitions of war. The corpOr-
alton was warned by agents of the
Nicaraguan insurrectionary forces
hot {Io0 al 1,a ioh 70
ure and the steamship people promptly
called on the state department to de-
clare the protection of this government
in such cases. The state department
replied promptly. The answer was
the result of conference between
the president and the secretary OF
state and carried full weight.
Recognizes Rebels.
1t gave the steamship concern no
encouragement and practically recog
nized the revolutionary forces operat-
ing against the Zelayan administra
ton, a proceeding for which there
probably is no parallel in the records
of this government.
The dispatch directed to the steam
ship company at New orleans and
signed Knox, Secretary of State"
read:
eff the announced blockade or in
vestment of the Nicaraguan port of
San Juan del Nnrte, (Greytown0 is
effectively maintained, and the re-
QuirementS on international law, IN
Guiding warming to approaching yes
sells are observed this government
will not be disposed to interfere to
prevent its enforcement A naval YES
sci will be ordered to GreytoWn to OBJ
serve and report whether the block
ade is effective
Nicaragua has given this govern
ment more trouble in the last few
years than any other country, save,
perhaps, Venezuela.
The attitude of the United States,
as shown by it's apparent recognition
of the Nicaraguan insurgents, indi-
Gates to diplomats that this govern
ment would welcome the overthrow
of the present administration. 1t is
we'll known that President Zelaya's
attitude toward Americans and Amer
lean interests for some time has been
anything but satisfactory.
The state department today main
tanned a reserve that was described
by one diplomat as "ominouS"
Will Exert Moral Suasion.
1T was learned, however, that both
President Taft and Secretary Knox
practically have determined on the
exerton of some forceful moral sua-
bringing Central American states to
realization of their responsibilities.
Aside from acknowledgment that
demand had been made on the Nicar-
aguan legation for a detailed and
comprehensive report of the killing
of the two Americans, the department
declined to discuss the existing cris-
is
The execution of the Americans is
held here to be indefensible. In the
absence of complete details this gov
eminent is reServing judgment, but
if the men were captured in the ranks
of the enemy with arms in their hands,
they were entitled to military trial,
under international law. It is con-
ceivable to officials that either man
was acting as a spy.
While no orders have been issued
for the dispatch of war vessels other
than the Des Moines and the Vicks-
burg to observe conditions on both
the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, there
are plenty of vessels in Caribbean
waters that can be sent to the scene
on the shortest notice. While there
are other vessels within call on the
Pacific coast. 1T is evident that the
temper OF the administration has been
thoroughly aroused and, if occasion
warrants, the state department may
advise drastic action.
Last year Minister Coolidge re-
signed and returned from Greytown.
1t was given out then that Mr.. Cool
edge returned merely because of i'll
health, but it eventually was learned
that he practically was forced to
Withdraw to save his dignity and pre-
serve the standing of this government.
Since then there has been no dipio-
matte connection between the two
governments, except through the Nj
caraguan legation here
Attaches of the legation declined
today to make any comment on the sit
uation The new minister, Senior Ha-
zera, naturally refused to discuss it.
as his credentials had been waived
aside at the White House
There was an air of genuine anx-1
iety about the legation, however, and
from appearances, diplomats regarded
the situation as grave
The action of this government in
sending two warships into Nicaraguan
territory following the receipt of the
fu bol