Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-12-09

Central America, were brought to this
capital and induced to enter into a sol
emn compact to refrain from ex.
ploitation OF the territories Of one
another and to observe the rules O.
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 s~tipulations were violated by
President Zelaya. He has dominated
Honduras, whose president is de-
clared to be only his mouth piece, and
Zelaya has not hesitated to violate
the laws of neutrality by sending his
troops, without parrant or permission,
into Salvador and Costa RIGA. That
he would have done the same in the
case Of Guatemala had the revolution
extended to the northern frontier of
Nicaragua there is no doubt.
1t was well understood though
never reduced to the form of a treaty,
that not only the United States, but
Mexico, would undertake to see that
the provisions of this treaty were eff
~fectiye, though purely moral suasion
was supposed to be the main reliance
to accomplish its purpose. This has
utterly failed, after a trial of nearly
two years. Reports to the department
of state from its diplomatic and con-
sular agents have shown that during
that period, President zelaya has
been stirring up discomfort in the
n%eighboring Central American re-
publics, giving substantial aid to
would-be revolutionists and doing
everything possible to bring about a
state of affairs, that would warrant
him in invading the territory of his
neighbors.
RuIe OF BarpaflSm.
But the internal conditions in
Nicaragua revealed by these reports
have never been told to the public be-
cause the moral turpitude involved is
almost beyond belief. While these re-
ports are still withheld from publica.
ton, officials of the department of
have disclosed enough Of their
contents to show that a condition of
absolute d~esportism has existed in
Nicaragua with such accomplishments
rapine, murder, extortion and
harbarous treatment Of political
prisoners, as has been unknown since
the period of medieval Europe.
AS Secretary Knox said in his letter,
the other Central American republics
have protested in. vain against the
existence of the conditions in Near
aqua, but the state department has
felt loathe to violate its old traditions
of noninterference in the internal af-
of other nations, and probably
would have refrained even now had
not Zelaya gone to the length of
torturing and killing two Americans
engaged in honorable warfare.
Only Law Is Zelaya.
In answer to the departments de-
mand for an explanation, his agents
stated that the executions
were in accordance with the law of
Nicaragua, but the state department
that that law is Zelaya, and
the action was in violation of all
the rules of civilized warfare. Reason
ing that there is no actual government
in Nicaragua, the department neces-
sarily arrived at the conclusion that
is nothing more nor less than
an international brigand and must be
so treated. He must be held respon-
sible for the killing of these two
Americans, as if he were a private
Individual, and it is probable that he
will be captured in Nicaragua or re-
claimed from any country to which
ne attempts to escape, if an eXtradi-
ion treaty a be invoked, and tried
rs a common malefactor.
1t is believed that President Diaz
was the deciding force in this matter,
and that it was on account Of a
straightforward and energetic de-
,laration by him of the guilt of Zelaya
and the necessity for intervention that
was received in Washington within
he last tw%enty-four hours that the
state department reached its decision.
Not to Burden People.
In the ordinary course this govern
nent would content itself with the
payment of a heavy monetary indem-
lity to the families Of the victims of
lelaya's edict. But as Secretary Knox
indicates in his letter, it is not
he purpose of the American govern
nent thus to tax the great majority
the Nicaraguan people who did not
iympathize with this action.
The status may be summed up as
Diplomatic relations between
he United States and Nicaragua have
terminated. DR.. Hazera, the
minister designate from Nicaragua,
will not be received at the state de-
1artment, Senior Rodriguez, the charge
If the N~icaraguan legation, has been
given his passports, and so has no Of
iscial standing here.
On the receipt of the letter Of MI.
Knox through a state department mes
,enger, Senior Rodriguez notified his
government by cable. He is awaiting
reply and will remain here a few
lays.
President Taft attended a church
bazaar Wednesday evening and man
ICED to dodge the secret service men.
Wife Farewell at Pen Gate.
T-nn 49,