The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-02
RELATIONS SEVERED
WITH NICARAGUA BY
SECRETARY Of STATE
CONTINUED ERoM PAGE -

(CONVIh UklD Etk6OM fA0h
~~~~~~-~>~->~-~-~~-
law of Nicaragua but the state depart.
ment finds that that law is Zelaya
Reasoning that there Is no actual gov
eminent in Nicaragua, the department
concluded that zelaya Is an international
brigand, and must be so treated. he
must be held responsible for the killing
of the two Americans as if he were pri-
vate individual, and 1t Is probable that he
will be captured IN Nicaragua or re-
claimed from any country to which he es-
eapes IL possible, and tried as common
malefactor.
1t is believed that straightforward
and energetic declaration by President
Diaz of the guilt of Zelaya, and the ne
cessity for intervention, received within
the last "a hours, resulted In the depart
ment's decision.
The status may be summed UP as fol-
lows:
Diplomatic relations between the United
States and Nicaragua have been termin-
ated.
DR.. Hazea, the minister designate from
Nicaragua, will not be received at the
state department.
Senior Rodriguez notified his govern
ment by cable of Secretary Knox's ac-
ton He is awaiting reply and will re-
main here a few days.
Letter From Knox.
Following is the letter sent by Secre-
tary Knox:
Department of State,
washington, December 1, 1903.
"Sir-Since the Washington conventions
of 1907 1t is notorious that President Eel
ava has almost continuously kept Gen.
trail America in tension or turmoil, that
he has repeatedly and fiagrantly violated
the provisions of the conventions, and
by baleful influence upon Honduras,
whose neutrality the conventions were
to assure, has sought to discredit those
sacred International obligations to the
great detriment of Costa Rica, Salvador
and Guatemala, whose governments
meanwhile appear to have been able pa
tiently to strive for the loyal support
of the engagements so solemnly UNDER
taken at Washington under the auspices
of the United States and of Mexico.
1T is equally matter Of common
knowledge that under the regime of Pres
ident zelaya republican institutions have
ceased in Nicaragua to exist except in
name. That public opinion and the press
have been throttled and that prison has
been the reward of any tendency to real
patriotism. My consideration for you per-
sonally impels me to abstain from unnec-
cessary discussion of the painful details
of a regime which, unfortunately. has
been blot upon the history of Nicaragua
and a encouragement to group Of re-
publics whose aspirations need only the
opportunity of free and honest govern
ment.
Appeal to United States.
I'm view of the interests of the United
States and of It's relation to the Wash
ington conventions, appeal against this
81, hoo do m In
government by majority of the Central
American republics. There Is now added
to the appeal, through the revolution, that
of a great body of Nicaraguan people.
Two Americans, who, this government Is
now convinced, were officers connected
, with the revolutionary forces and there
fore entitled to be dealt with according
to the enlightened practice of civilized ma
lions, have been killed by direct order of
! President Zelaya. Their execution Is said
to have been preceded by barbarous cruel
ties. The consulate at Managua is now
officially represented to have been mem
aced There Is thus sinister culmina-
ton of an administration also character
lied by cruelty to. its own citizens which
has, under the recent outrage, found vent,
in the case Of this country, In a success
sion of petty annoyances and indignities
which many months ago made 1t impos-
sible to ask an American minister longer
to reside at Managua- From every point
OF view 1t has evidently become difficult
for the United States further to delay
more active response to the appeals so
long made to it's duty to It's citizens,
/ to its dignity. to Central America and to
| civilization.
"The government of the United States
| is convinced that the revolution repre-
sents the ideals and the will Of a majority
, of the Nicaraguan people more faithfully
| than does the government of President
Zelaya and that it's peaceful control Is
| we'll nigh AZ extensive as that hitherto
so sternly attempted by tho government
| at Managua.
Condition Of Anarchy.
There IL now added the fact, as Of
| quarter, that there are already indications
OF rising in the western provinces in
favor of presidential candidate inti-
mateiy associated with the old regime.
In this It IL easy to see new elements
tending toward a condition of anarchy
| which leaves, at q given Time no definite
responsible source to which the govern
ment of the United States could look
for repAration for the killing of Messrs.
Cannon and Groce, or indeed for the pro-
lection which must be assured citizens
ana American interests in Nicaragua.
"In these circumstances the President
no longer feels for the government of
President zslaya that respect and conf
dence which would make 1t appropriate
hereafter to maintain with it regular dip
lomatic relations, implying the will and