The Washington times., 1909-12-16
ZELAYA'S CAPTURE
IS POLICY OF KNOX
This Government Deter
mined to Punish Ruler for
Americans Murder.

While Zelaya is making desperate
efforts to convince outsiders that his
power Is supreme in Nicaragua and
while Senior Enrique CreeI, special agent
of Mexico to this country, is interceding
for Ieniency toward Zelaya, this Gov
eminent stands firm in it's determina-
ton TO have the offending President cap
tured by the revolutionary forces and
TO have him punished for his murder OF
the two Americans, Groce and cannon.
The Prairie sailed from Philadelphia
today FOR Nicaraguan waters with 200
marines aboard.
No effort is made at the state Depart
ment TO hide the fact that the United
States considers the provisional govern
ment of Nicaragua under Estrada as
its friend, and that IL IS eager for the
Fstradaists to win a decisive victory in
the vicinity Of Rama, where the oppos-
ing forces now are encamped.
Creel To See Taft.
Mr.. CreeI has an appointment to be
received by President Taft tomorrow
afternoon, but the President will not go
into the Creel proposal for the settle
ment of the Nicaraguan difficulty. This
viii be left TO Secretary OF state Knox,
who, it is declared on high authority,
has no intention OF agreeing that Mexico
shall have a share In determining what
shall be the fate of Zelaya.
The State Department believes that
Zelaya Is in the last extremity, that his
army is weakened. and that his forces
cannot be held together against the
revolutionists with the further knowl-
edge that, II the situation demands f.,
the marines and bluejackets OF this
country win be landed on Nicaraguan
soil.
Forces Are Cornered.
Rama, Zelaya is making a strenuous ef-
fort TO Outwit the revoIutionists by plac-
ing his benchmen In power in other
parts OF Nicaragua, according TO dis
patches received today az both the State
and Navy Departments.
Commander Shipley. Of the Des
Moines. reports from Bluefelds that the
revolutionary forces are now equipped
with additional automatic guns and
ammunition. and the general opinion is
that If there is an engagement at Rama,
II will result In the surrender OF Ze-
laya's forces.
Reports Of an entirely different ma
ture are being circulated by Zelaya on
the Pacific coast.
Vice Consul CaIera telegraphs that the
Zelaya newspapers already report the
capture Of Rama. The reports Of riot
ing at Leon we're also confirmed IN the
capital.
Commander Oliver. OF the Albany.
which is at Corinto, confirms the re-
port Of riots at Managua, and says that
in connection with them the municipal
authorities have ben imprisoned.
TOday's dispatches are taken 20 indi-
cate that the extreme measures adopted
by Zelaya are an indication that he
will not give up the Presidency unless
one of his own followers is seated with
out desperate opposition.
This is entirely satisfactory TO this
country, which desires no halfway
measures and will be glad OF any ex-
cuse to see 70 Il that Zelaya IS removed
from all possible power and punished.
There is reason to believe that when
the United States succeeds in getting
rid Of Zelaya. Mexico viii insist that
steps be taken 10 curb tho power OF
Estrada Cabrera. Of Guatemala. The
latter president is the bette noir Of Mex
ico. as Zelaya has been the ogre Of
American diplomacy IN Central Amert-
On. The two have manifested much
the same tendencies IN their govern
ments. but their influence has 20 a
large degree cOunterbalanced.