Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-03
CRUISER AND GUNBoAT
SENT TO NICARAGUA
Continued From Page One

gemsrally recognized that the United
States has decided the time has come
to put an end to further attacks on
American life and interests in Central
America.
ZELAYA HELD RESPONSIBLE.
The far-reaching effect of the note
is a matter of especial comment. The
fact that President Zelaya is apparently
to be held responsible for the murder,
so-called, of the two Americans, Groce
and Cannon and that the note inti-
mates that Zelaya is the culprit, put a
sting to the situation. Almost fever
ish interest in the next step of this
government is manifest.
Concealed in the vigorous but care
fully prepared note dictated by Ser
rotary Knox is seen a warning to the
Central American republics that they
must behave and conduct themselves
as other countries in the western hem
isphere conduct themselves. This and
the direct announcement that the Unit
ed States intends the family of western
republics live tremendously, is believ-
ed by diplomats to be epochal. The
Monroe doctrine las attained in the
eyes Of the diplomats, a new dignity
The letter is seemingly a mere pro-
test against existing conditions and,
while it bristles with declarations, It
"snirt sleeve diplomacy. That tnis
view of the document is incorrect is
plainly shown by a careful reading.
The note is generally regarded as one
of the most scathing documents issued
from the state department in many
years.
ZELAYA HELD GUILTY.
The extraordinary feature of the let
ter is that 1t seems to evidence an inten-
c.
to hold President Zelaya personally re-
sponsible for the alleged torture and ex-
ecution of the Americans, Cannon and
Groce, and exhibits the unique situation
of one government holding the chief
executive of another practically as a
common malefactor Zelaya is branded
as violator of solemn international con-
ventions, a disturber of tn enational and
international peace, a tyrant whose ad-
ministration has been a blot upon the
name of good government.
Secretary Knox virtually announces the
recognition of the Nicaraguan revo-
lutionist, declares it to be the convic-
ton of the United States that the
revolution represents the sentiments of a
majority of the Nicaraguan people, and
that there is evidently no responsible
government with which the United States
can deal.
He, therefore. announces that all par
ties will be held accountable for their
actions as affecting the interests OF
Americans, and the peace of Central
America.
He further informs Senior Rodriguez
that while he has lost his diplomatic
quality. he may still serve as an ''un-
Official channel of communication with
the faction which he is regarded as rep
resenting.
This brings the crisis as near to the
status of war as it could be brought
by executive action without def
mite declaration Of both houses OF con-
gress. which will convene next Monday.
Mr.. Knox's letter in all but so many
words makes it plain that the action rep
resents the wish and attitude of all or
the Central American states with the SIN
gle exception of Honduras, which Is re-
earded here as entirely dominated by
ZeIave Mexico has all along shown It's
svmpathy with the United States in this
matter.
Rodriguez Awaits Orders
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-Having caoled
the Nicaraguan government that the
American secretary of state had last
night presented him with his passport
senior Felipe Rodriguez. charge de al
fairies of Nicaragua in Washington, today
fro