The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1909-12-03
KNOX NOTE
A SENSATION
ULTlMATUM TO NICARAGUA FROM
UNCLE SAM is STlNGER.
zELAYA is HELD FOR DEATHS
The Vigorous Warning Issued by Sec
rotary Of State Knox, That Central
America Must Behave and Live In
Peace, is Regarded Epochal.

America MUST BehaVe ana Live IN
Peace, is Regarded Epochal.
Washington, Dec. 2.-There is re-
joicing today in the ranks of the
Nicaragua insurrectionary party and
gloom among those who have been
friends of President Zelaya over the
ultimatum handed down yesterday by
the United States to the Nicaragua
government in the note which accom-
panied the passports delivered by
Secretary of State Knox to Felipe
Rodriguez, charge de affairs of the
Nicaraguan legation.
The strength of the note and its
personal tone are the subjects of com
ment in diplomatic circles.
Uncle Sam Takes Stand.
1t is generally recognized that the
United States has decided the time
has come to put an end to further at
tacks on American life and interests
in Central America.
The far-reaching effect of the note
is a matter of especial comment. The
fact that President Zelaya is appar
emily to be held responsible for the
! shooting of the Americans, Groce and
Cannon, and that the note intimates
that Zelaya Is the culprit adds a
sting to the matter.
Central America Must Behave.
Concealed in the vigorous note die
tated by Secretary Knox is seen a
warning to the Central --merican re-
publics that they must behave and
conduct themselves as honorable re-
pubics in the western hemisphere
This and the direct announcement
that the United States intends to see
that the family of western republics
lives tremendously is believed by di-
plomats to be epochal.
The Knox document is one of the
most scathing issued from the state
department in late years.
Returns Passports of Zelaya's Man.
Secretary of State Knox late yester-
day returned the passports of Felipe
Rodriguez, charge de affairs of the
| Nicaraguan legation, with a letter
scathingly denouncing the Zelayan ad-
ministration Of the government of Mic
aragua. The letter is definitely de-
clared to represent the views of Presi-
| dent Taft, and is about as plain spoken
as anything emanating from the state
department in many years.
Brands Zelaya as Tyrant.
The extraordinary feature of the let
| ter is that it seems to evidence an nj
tention on the part of the United
States to hold Zelaya personally re-
sponsible for the alleged torture and
execution of the Americans, Cannon
and Groce, and exhibits the unique sit
uation of one government holding the
chief executive of another practically
as a common malefactor. Zelaya is
branded as a violater of solemn inter
national converts, disturber of ma
tional and international peace, ty-
rant whose administration has been a
blot on the name of good government.
Recognizes Rebels.
Secretary Knox virtually announces
the recognition of the Nicaraguan rev.
olutionists declares it to be the con.
viction of the United States that the
revolution represents the sentiment OF
majority of the Nicaraguan people
and that there is evidently no respon
sible government with which the Unit
ed States can deal. He therefore an
nounces that all parties will be held
accountable for their actions as af
60 t,,fn - nj Il
Central America. He further informs
Senior Rodriguez that while he has lost
his diplomatic quality he may still
serve as an unofficial" channel OF
communication with the faction which
he is regarded as representing.
This brings the crisis as near to the
status of war as it could be brought
by executive action without definite
declaration by both houses of congress
which will convene next Monday.
Mr.. Knox's letter in all but so many
words makes it plain that the action
represents the wish and attitude of all
the Central American states, with the
single exception of Honduras, which
is regarded here as entirely dominated
by Zelaya. Mexico has all along shown
its sympathy with the United States
in this matter.
Just what status the consular repre-
sentatives of the United States in Mic
aragua now enjoy is not definitely ex
planned tonight. 1t is said, however
that Vice Consul Caldera, who has
been occupying the legation in Man
aqua, together with the other consuls
in that country will be given passports
tomorrow. This is the usual method
of procedure in case of such action be
tween governments.
American Troop Ship Sails.
| Washington. Dec. 1.-The troop shiI