Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-02

states can maintain diplomatic rela-
tions.
Accept, sir, the renewed assurances
of my high consideration
(Signed) &C. KNOX.
ITO Felipo Rodriguez, Esquire"
What Knox Means
Just what Secretary Knox meant in
his 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, representatives of
the Central American republics, then
on the point of a general warfare,
largely due, it was alleged, to the am
bition of President Zelaya to become
dictator of Central America, were
brought to Washington and induced
to enter into a compact to refrain
from exploitation of the territories OF
one another and to observe rules OF
civilized intercourse. Especially they
were pledged TO submit to arbitration,
instead of putting to the test of war,
any differences that might arise among
them The integrity of Honduras was
guaranteed.
Secretary Knox practically charges
that all these stipulations have been
violated by President Zelaya. He has
is declared to be only his mouthpiece,
and Zelaya has not hesitated to violate
the laws of neutrality by sending
troops without warrant or permission
into Salvador and Costa Rica.
There is no doubt that he would have
done the same in the case of Guate-
mala had the revolution extended to
the northern frontier of Nicaragua.
Mexico Also in 1t
1t was we'll understood. though never
reduced to the form of a treaty. that
not only the United States. but Mex
leo, would undertake to see that the
provisions of this treaty were effee-
tive, though purely moral suasion was
supposed to be the main reliance to
accomplish this.
This has utterly failed, after a trial
of nearly two years. Reports to the
department of state from its diplo-
matte and consular agents have shown
that I'm that period President Zelaya
has been stirring up discomfort in
other Central American republics, Civ
ing substantial aid to would-be rev.
olutionists and doing everything pos
sible TO. bring about state of affairs
that would warrant him in invading
territory of his neighbors.
But internal conditions in Nicaragua
revealed by these reports never have
been made public because the moral
turpitude involved is almost beyond
belief,
While these reports are still with
held from publication officials of the
department of state have disclosed
enough to show that a condition of abb
solute despotism has existed in Mica
ragua with accomplishments such as
rapine, murder, extortion and barbar-
Gus treatment of political prison
ers, unknown since mediayal times.
As Secretary Knox said in his
letter, other Central American re-
publics have protested in vain against
conditions in Nicaragua, but the state
department has felt loath to violate its
old traditions of non-interference in
the internal affairs of other nations
and probably would have refrained
even now had not Ze1aya gone to the
length of torturing and killing two
Americans engaged in honorable war
fare.
In answer to the departments de-
mand for an explanation, Zelaya's
agents simply stated that the execu-
tions were in accordance with the laws
of Nicaragua, but the state depart
ment finds that that law is Zelaya and
that the action was in violation of all
rules of civilized warfare.
Realizing that there is no actual gov
ment in Nicaragua the department
necessarily arrived at the conclusion
that Zelaya is only an international
brigand and must be so treated
&
Don't simply allow It to die-that plan o,
yours. Find little capital through advertis-