Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1909-12-09

Washington, ID. C.-The passport
OF Ffpipe Rodriguez charge daffaires
Of the Nicaraguan leagation, was hand
ed to him by Secretary of State Knox,
and with It came a letter scathingly
denouncing President Zelaya and his
administration. II is the most plain
spoken document that has come from
the state department in years. It re-
presents the views of President Taft.
Mr.. Knox announces this govern
ment will not throw the burden Of
reparation for Zelaya's acts on the
nicaragua people, but will seek out
those responsible for the execution of
Groce and Cannon and the violations
Of the Washington peace conventions.
with the apparent object of making
them suffer personally. This is a new
thing in American diplomatic proceed
ure. While frequently this govern
ment has insisted on the punishment
Of minor officials and subjects or citi-
zens Of a foreign nation responsible
for outrages on American citizens, it
has not gone to the extreme of COM
polling the infection of personal pun
ishment on the head of a constftu-
tional government. No doubt is felt
here that Mr.. Knox's virtual treat Of
reprisals against individuals was
aimed directly at President Zelaya,
1t is, Of course, too early to predict
what the nature Of the punishment
will be the government evidently
intends to inflict on Zelaya
Branded as Violator.
Zelaya 10 branded as a violator of
solemn international conversions, a
disturber of the national and inter-
national peace, tyrant whose admin
istration has been a blot upon the
name of good government
Secretary Knox virtually announces
the recognition of the Nicaraguan re-
volus!onists; declares it to be the con-
viction Of the United States that the
revolution represents the sentiments
of majority of the Nicaraguan people
and that there is evidently no res
ponsible government with which the
United States can deal.
He, therefore announces 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 quality, he may
still serve as an unofficial channel
of communication" with the faction
which he is regarded as representing
Near Status of War.
This brings the crisis as near to
che status Of war as it could be
brought 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 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 it's SYM
pathy with the United States in this
matter.
Just what status the consular repre-
sentatives of the United States in
Nicaragua enjoy is not definitely ex-
planned. 1t is expected, however, that
Vice Consul Caldera, who has been
occupying the legation in Managua,
together with the other consuls in
that country, will be given their pass
ports.
This is the usual method Of pro-
ceduTe in cases of such action between
governments.
last what Secretary Knox meant in
mis- letter to Senior Rodriguez by the
reference to the Washington agree
ment of two years ago is disclosed by
reference to that convention.
Through the efforts Of Mr. Root,
then secretary Of state, represent
atives of all the Central American re-
publics at the moment on the point
of a general warfare, even then owing
it was alleged largely to the over
weaving ambitions Of President
Zelaya to become the dictator Of
Central America, were brought to this
capital and induced to enter into sol
emn compact to refrain from ex-
ploitation of the territories of one
another and to observe the rules of
civilized intercourse Especially were
they pledged to submit to arbitration
instead of putting to the test of war
fare any differences that might arise
between them. The integrity Of
Honduras was guaranteed.
Neutrality Laws Violated.
Now Secretary Knox practically
charges that each and every one Of
these stipulations were violated by
N~~~~.~~~O~~~~~~~~--
Laffan's Successor Announced.
New York City.-Edward p. Mitchell