The Washington herald., 1909-03-16
ZELAYA now PACIFIC
More Subdued Because He
Faces Show of Force.
DENIES MILITARY AGGRESSION
Six GunbOHts and Cruisers Have
Been Ordered 10 NicaraguRn Wa
ters and Special Envoy May BE
Sent by State Department-Emery
Case Will Be Arbftrated.

1Ae difficulties in Central America
which have been bothering the State De-
partment and which have during the last
week caused the government here TO
scare President Zelaya Of Nicaragua into
action along certain lines are about 10 be
settled.
Senor Espinosa. the Nicaraguan Min
lister to Washington. conferred with Sec
retary of State Knox yesterday afternoon.
He will have other conferences shortly.
and the statesmanship OF the two coun-
tries Will be directed 20 the momentous
question OF procuring iust what this gov
ernment wants. and at the same time pre-
serving the national honor and integrity
Of Nicaragua.
Senor ESpinosa told the Secretary OF
State that a condition of peace and tran
quillity prevails in Nicaragua. He said
most emphaucally that Nicaragua is not
preparing for war, and has no desire 10
engage IN hostiiities with any one.
The great military activity in his coun-
try. explained the Minister. was purely
defensive. and his President sought 10 do
nothing except 10 prepare himself for
attack by menacing nations in his section
OF the world.
Diplomatic Side-stepping.
senor Espinosa's explanation is entireIv
new 10 the State Department II Is nm
officially regarded as a fine bit of diplo-
matte side-stepping The departments
advices from Central America have never
indicated that any country in Central
America was threatening TO attack Mica
ragua.
Regarding the Emery case. which the
State Department insists must be arbi-
trated, and speedily. the minister said
that his government wished 20 settle the
matter. The State Department holds
that the arbitration OF the VALIDITY OF the
annullment OF the concession alone. as
Nicaragua desires. would be futile with
out consideration Of the payment OF dam
ages which the company declares IL has
suffered.
Nicaragua wants 10 know how much
these damages are said 20 be. The state
Department says Il does not know. and
for that reason the arbitration tribunal
should be given the point for adjust
ment
The State Department has about de-
Cided 20 send some special envoy 10 Mica
ragua 10 look into conditions there and
to reach an adjustment OF all questions
Several names have been mentioned IN
the gossip, including those OF William I
Buchanan. Francis B. Loom.s. ex-Gov.
Magoon. OF Cuba, and John Barrett.
Gregory Roughly Treated.
Mr.. Gregory. the American charge daft
faires at Managua, cahled that he had
informed the government Of Nicaragua
Of his recall 10 Washington. and that he
was busy arranging for his transporta-
ton
The advices from Mr.. Gregory indicate
that he is being treated rather roughly
In Managua. It IS understood that his
mail is being tampered with and that
generally his position has become intol-
cradle Mr.. Gregory also reported that
5000 Nicaraguan troops had been mo-
bilized on the frontier, and that extraord-
mary military operations We're going on
al CorintO, where four gunboats and sew
eral auxiliary craft had been assembled
The department also had advices that
the countries around Nicaragua were get
ting excited.
The situation was such that il was de-
cided 10 send two more war ships 10 the
Pacific side. Accordingly, Instructions
were sent 10 the armored cruisers Wash
ingtOn and Maryland 70 remain on the
west coast. The Maryland is at Acajutia
and the Washington at Corinto.
The gUnboat Yorktown Is on her way
70 Amapala and the Dubuque and Ia
coma have by this time reached the At
lantic coast The whole Pacific feet is
on the west coat and could quickly be
brought To the scene Of action If neces-
sary. Rear Admiral Swinburne IS I'm San
Salvador. where he and the officers ac-
companying him were given an enthusi-
astic reception.