Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-12-04
DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES STIRRED
BY SECRETARY KNOBS SCATH-
ING LETTER; zELAYA NOT YET
HEARD FROM.
BREAK RELATIONS
WITH NICARAGUA
ZELAYA's REPRESENTATIVE is
GIVEN PASSPORTS AND IN Ac.
COMPLAINING NOTE REPARA.
TON Is DEMANDED.

IiON 10 DEMANDED.
Washington, D. c., Dec. 2.-There is
| rejoicing in the ranks of the Nicaragua
lnsurrectlonary party and correspond
Ing gloom among Zelaya's friends over
the ultimatum handed down by the
United States to the Nicaraguan gov
eminent in the note which accom-
panied the passports delivered by Sec
rotary Knox to Felipe Rodriguez, the
Nlcaraguan charge d'affairs. The
strength of the note and it's personal
tone are subjects of comment in diplo-
matte circles. 1t is generally recog-
nized the United States has decided
the time has come to end further at
lacks On American life and interests
in Central America.
Foreign Powers interested.
The fact that Zelaya is apparently
to be held responsible for the murder,
so-called, Of the Americans, Groce
and Cannon and that the note init.
mates that Zelaya is culprit, put a
sting to the entire matter Almost
feverish interest in the next step of
this government is manifest. Conceal
ed in the vigorous but carefully pre-
pared note dictated by Knox is seen
warning to Central American re-
publics that they must behave and con-
duct themselves as do the other re-
publics in the western hemisphere.
This and the direct accouncement that
the United States intends to see that
the family of western republics lives
tremendously is believed by diplomats
to be epochal. The Monroe doctrine
in their eyes has attained new
dignity. The letter Is one of the
most forward announcements issued
from the state department in late
years.
Secretary Knox virtually announces
that he recognizes the Nicaraguan
revolution, declares it to be the con-
viction of the United States that the
revolution represents the sentiments
of majority of the Nicaraguan peo-
pie and that there is evidently no re-
sponsible government with which the
United States can deal He therefore
announced that all parties 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 quail
ity, he may still serve as an "unoffi-
cial" channel of communication with
the faction which he is regarded as
representing.
On the Verge of War.
This brings the crisis as near to the
Gtat nf 7,
by executive action without a 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 the action repre-
sents the wish and attitude of all Of
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
To Establish Protectorate.
Harassed upon all sides with pros
poets of greater harm in case OF
further delay, the state department de.
cided last night to cut the Gordan
knot of diplomatic ENHANCEMENT upon
receipt of the advices for which it had
waited SO long.
The letter to Rodriguez, announcing
the severance of relations and giving
the information that the United
States would move promptly to wipe
out the insult to its honor, was then
prepared and handed to the Nicara-
guam charge at the dinner hour.
Under the Interpretation given the
6ric 3o1y
tion with the armed preparations
which have already been made, as
well as guided by the statements o.
state department officials that the
sending of marines to Nicaraguan soil
is natural consequence of it's action,
the plan of the United States is plain
and simple.
1t will establish a temporary pro
tectorate over Nicaragua.
1t will do with Nicaragua what it
did with Cuba-establish provisional
government, no matter who is VIC
torious in the present war.
Secretary Knox's letter to Rodriguez
in full, was as follows:
Department of State, Washington,
Dec. l. 1909.-Sir: Since the Wash
ington conventions of 1907 it is
notorious that President Zelaya has
almost continuously kept Central
America in tension or turmoil that
he has repeatedly and flagrantly vio-
lated the provisions of the conven-
tions, and, by baleful influence upon
Honduras, whose neutrality the con-
ventions were to assure. has sought to
discredit those sacred international
obligations, to the great detriment of
Costa RIGA, Ell Salvador and Guate-
mala, whose governments meanwhile
appear to have been able patiently to
strive for the loyal support of the en-
gaSew.nts SO solemnly undertaken at