Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1909-12-16


zens Leroy Cannon and Leonard
Groce by order of President Xelaya.
In severing relations with the present
government In control at Managua
Secretary Of State Knox took the first
step toward publishing Zelaya for the
Cannon aud Groce execution and for
repeated violations of the conventions
Of the Central American peace confer
ence, which las fostercd by the Unit
cd States and Mexico
Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Groce, who
were shot to death by order of Presi-
dent Zclaya for participation in the
revolution in Nicaragua, were not ire
sponsible adventurers, but large prop
erty holders In that and adjoining
Central American republics. according
10 G.. Snencer Holland who has con-
siderable property and mining inter
ests In Nicaragua and who returned to
New York city few days ago. when
the situation OF foreign residents not
friendly to the Zelaya regime became
precarious In Nicaragua.
Prosecuted by ZeIaya.
non and Groce had been constantly
prosecuted by Zelaya In the past. Can
non having been captured aud con-
demned 'r death in the revolution of
year ago, but secured communication
of his sentence to IL heavy fine on rep
reservations made by the American
minister. At the time of his death
Cannon, according 10 Mr, Holland was
4 member Of the staff of General Es
truda. His execL m was carried out
Uy order OF Zelaya after plea for
Communication had been made 10y Iela.
vas own general in chief.
Both in the capture OF the two Amer
leans. which was effected through an
incursion of Xelaya's forces into Costa
Rican territory. aud 10 their execution
without proper trial. Air. Holland de
cares. Zelaya violated the prov isions
Ut the treaty of l9OS between the Cen
rral American republics. OF which Mex
leo aud the United States were guar
sntors.
"Tbs present intervention OF the
Cnited States Is due solely" said Mr..
Holland. ITO the vtJlation by Teiaya
Of the treaty Of the Central American
republics. guaranteed by the United
States and Mexico. in which the neu-
trality OF the various countries. their
freedom from tresp@ss In time Of war
and the iuviolability Of the rights of
residents OF any one country In the
territory OF the others were guarau-
D,Ta, tNRN bon
various provisions Of the treaty and
Insulted the United States representa-
tives by alleging In defense pretenscs
which no schuolboy would for mo
nent deem worthy OF consideration.
II was because of Xeiuya's insulting
conduct that Mr.. Gregory. the Ameri
can minister, at last lost patience and
left for Washington. Ills departure
was deplored by nll except Zelaya. who
WAS more than glad to he rid Of an
intelligent diplomatic representative
who, with watchful eye, understood
his game.
Were Large Property Owners.
There is no doubt that Jose Oil
wares the consular agent OF the United
States at Managua did all he could
to prevent the recent warranted
killing Of Mcssrs. Cannon and Grocc.
1t should be understood clearly ehst
these men were 10 no way adventur-
ers. but took n definite and clear inter
est In the country where they lived
and where they had acquired consid.
erabls wealth and property. When
last saw Mr.. Cannon. in the end OF
October, he had just returned from
his plantation at San Carlos, part Of
which had been destroyed by agents
Of Zelaya. He was going to join Gen.
eral Estrada. his personal friend. and
he told me he had been appointed TO a
post on the generals staff.
mfr. Groce. too. had very valuable
property in Nicaragua, valued approx
imately at 100000, with about as
much more distributed in Honduras,
San Salvador and other republics He