The sun., 1909-12-02
Sciihlng Recital Of tho NJ
caraguan Dlctator's
MIsdesds.
TINE MURDER OF AMERICANS


4
Ceasenusrs. Insults % Amsvises
Minister and Peril ss Csnsui Amspgs
the Abuses Cited -shsesing - Grsee
ami Cannsn . visiat,sa q Clvilsse1
Usage In wsr-wss It Precsasd ~
Tsrture,-Oniy Moderate neparssiss
WIN Be Exacted From thc newcastle.
but Somebody WIN Ne Dealt wptb
Severely Dipasmatic lntsrcsurss ~
severed. hut Charge May temmuni.
cate lnfermsns wien she state Do
partmcnt n He sees Frt-ss May shs
nevsiusieuary -ss1ues
ncids Gevernmcnt Rccegnixcd ~ N
Present ne Fscte CeutrcI o. the
Eastern Section ef the Csunsry.
WASHINGTON. Dec, Diplomats rslz-
tions between the United States and
Nicaragua were severed tonight By
this Government. His passports were
handed to the Charge d'Anaires Of Preai-
dent zelaya's Government.
T'his action does not In itself mean
the initiation Of hostilities. but u ID fhs
usual preliminary to that condition.
The blow was softened, however. by
suggestion to the representative OK
Nicaragua that he might remain in wash-
ington. where he would be received
unodacially BY the State Department.
Incidentally tho insurgenta' govern
ment IVES virtually recognised.
The radical action Of the uaised statss
was the direct outcome Of tho exscuficu
Of the American citissns Lee Roy Canncn
t~nd fecnKrd Gfoce by order OF President
Zeiaya. In. severing relations with The
present Government in control at
Manasua Secretary OF ststs Knox took
the frat step toward punishiag zslaya
for the Cannon and Groce execution
and for repeated violations Of ths con-
ventions Of the Central American Peacs
Conference. which was fostered by the
United States and Mexico.
Mr.. Knox's action took the form of q
diplomatic note to Se6or Felipe Rodri-
guex. the Nicaraguan Charge d'Anairss.
Il was sent after q long conference be-
tween President Taft and Mr. Knox.
Mr.. Knox broke Oh all further dipIomatlc
communication with Nicaragua by for
warding his passport to Senor Rodffgues.
The action of the State Departmsnt
caused no surprise in diplomatic circles.
Il has been junderstood generally that
such action would be taken when the
Department completed its investigation
into the deaths OF the two Americans.
FLAoRANr ABusEs.
In his note Mr.. Knox charged that
President zelaya had repeatedly and
fiagrantly violated this washington con-
ventions. Republican institutions, he
added. had ceased to exist under zelayais
administration. The execution OF tho
two Americans, the note continued.
was by order OF President zelaya Il
also said that IL had been rumored that
the men were tortured before their exc
cution. II 10 the evident intention a
the United States il these reports prove
10 be correct to locate and hold to q strict
personal accountability those responsible
| for maltreatment OF the dead men.
The note sets forth also the fact that
Henry Caldera. the American vice-Consul
at Managua. had been menaoed twics
by President zelaya. The plain infer
ence OF Mr.. Knox's language is that
Zelaya is the specific object OF the wrath
OF the United States Government. Ths
question 40 to what indemnity shall be
asked for the families Of the Americans
Mr.. Knox added, win be postponed TOR
future determination.
TO SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE.
The protection OF the lives and prop.
srty OF American cttixens in Nicaragua
win In the future be required from the
de facto Rovernments In the eastern
and the western portions Of NicaraguA.
This is q partial recognition. of the insur-
gent government wherever Y exsrcissa
authority.
To prevent future violations Of tho
conventions Of the Central American
Peace Conferences Mr.. Knox said that
the Nicaraguan Government would b.
required 10 obligate itsflf BY conven-
tion 20 support the Washington treaties.
Secretary Knox referryd 70 the -succss-
sion Of petty snroyxNees end indignities
which many months. ago made II tmpos-
sible to ask an AmSfiosn Minister longer
TO reside at Managna.'
One paragraph Of Mr. Knox's note
10 reearded - especially Significant.
Toward tho end of tbs document he said;
I'm pursuance Of, this policy ths Govern
msnt os the Unitsd States viii tempo
raffly withheld Ne demand for reparation.
Ia ths msaawhils taking snoh steps a.