The Cairo bulletin., 1909-12-02
~~--w,I II II. -

VdShIu6tuH, Dec. l.--fellpe hOurl-
,uez charged daffaires at the Mica.
aguan legation. tonight rendered his
assports by Secretary of State Knox,
hereby severing the diplomatic reIa-
ions of the two countries. Knox In.
ormed Rodriguez by note that the
United States would hold personally
responsible the men responsible for
he torture and execution of Groce
and Cannon, recently killed In Mica
ragua. Knox also informed Rodriguez
that Nicaragua would be held to tho
observance Of the principles of the
Washington conference of South
American republics, In the interest OF
general peace and harmony.
The letter which is definitely dc.
clared to represent tho views Of
President Taft, Is as plainspoken as
anything emanating from the state
department in many years. It's ex.
traordinary feature Is its evidence OF
the intention to hold Zelaya person
ally responsible for the alleged tor,
4ure and execution of Cannon and
Groce, exhibiting the unique situation
If one government holding the chief
executive Of another practically as d
ommon malefactor lelaya III
branded as a violator of the interna-
ional conventions, disturber of na.
| ional and International peace, and
4 tyrant whose administration has
hcan a blot upon the name N good
government,
| Knox virtually announces recogni-
tion of the revolutionlsts, and adds
| hat all parties will be held account
able for the actions affecting the in
terests of Americans and the peace
of Central America.
This brings the crisis as near q
status of war as could be by c4ecu.
tive action without definite declara-
ton by congress, which will convene
Monday.
The Knox letter makes IT plain in
all but so many words that his action
represents the wish of all the Central
American states excepting Honduras,
which is regarded hire as dominated
by Zelaya. Mexico all along has
shown sympathy with the United
States.
The status of the consular represen-
tatives of the United States in Mica.
ragua was not definitely explained TO-
night, but II is expected that they
will be given passports tomorrow
Following is Knox's Letter.
Department of State,
Washington. d. G., Dec /.
Sir: Since the Washington conven,
tions OF 1907 1t is notorious that
President Zelaya has almost contind.
ously kept Central America in tension
or turmoil, that he has repeatedly
fiagrantly violated the conventions
and by baleful influence upon Hon
duros, whose neutrality the conven
tions were to assure, has sought tc
dscredit those sacred international
obligations to the great detrlment Of
Costa Rica, Salvador and Guatemala
whose governments meanwhile, 1t ap
pears, have been able to patiently
strive for the loyal support Of On
lEagements 50 Eolemnly undertaken 81
ltWashingt ton under the auspices OF tbs
United States and Mexico.
1t is equally matter Of common
knowledge that under the regime d
Zelaya republican institutions ceased
to exist in Nicaragua, except IN
name; that public opinion and the
press have been throttled; that prison
has been the reward Of any tendency
to real patriotism. My consideration
for you impels me TO abstain from nm
necessary discussion of the painful!
details of regime which unfortunate
Ily has been blot upon the history
Of Nicaragua and encouragement
to the group of republics whose as
pirations need only the opportunity
of a free and honest government,
| In view Of the interests of the
United States and It's relation TO tho
| Washington conventions, an appeal
against this situation has long since
been made to this government by q
majority Of the Central American re-
publics There is now added an ap.
peal, through the revolution, of a
great body of the Niearaguan people
Two Americans who, this government
lis now convinced, were officers con
Injected with the revolutionary forces
land therefore TO be dealt with accord
Ing to the enlightened practices Of the