New-York tribune., 1909-11-19
ZELAYA HAS TWO
AMERICANS SHOT
W1RSHIPS ORDERED
TO NICARAGUA.
State Department Recognizes
ReroIutiOnists and De
mands Explanation.
IFrom Ths Tribune Bureau

Washington. Nov 1s.-A crisis hss
been reached in the needless and re-
markable career Of President Zelaya OF
Nicaragua After submitting for some
time to his utter disregard ot the amen
tiles which ordinarily exist between na-
tions. the State Department has al last
asserted itself.
Stirred 10 action by the shooting OF
two Americans. il has practically rec
ognized the belligerency of the Mica
raguan revolutionists. and made per-
emptOry demands on Zelaya for an ex-
PLANTATION of the executions President
Taft Is thoroughly aroused by the ac-
tions OF the Zelayan government and ~
determined TO make the lives OF Ameri-
can citizens much safer and more re-
spscted in Central America than they
have been hitherto.
Two Americans. Leonard Grace and
Leroy Cannon, who were captured with
a fragment Of the revolutionary army
we're sentenced 10 death BY Zelaya
because of their alleged participation in
the uprising against his rule. and the
State Department has been Informed
that the sentence was carried out this
morning.
No sooner had this information been re-
ceived here than the gunboat Vtcksburs
was ordered TO proceed under full steam
to Corinto and the cruiser Des Moines
was dispatched TO Port Limon, from
which points they will make immedtats
wireless reports and use every means IN
protect the lives and property Of Aueri-
cans
The execution of the Americans Is be-
lieved TO have taken place at Ell Costtllo.
which is near Greytown.
When President Taft was informed OF
what had occurred he Immediately an
nOunced that he would have no COM
munication with the Nicaraguan author
tiles here. and the audience which was
/ 10 have been granted the Nicaragusn
Minister. Isidoro Hazera, was indef-
nitely postponed.
I DEPARTMENT ACTS PROMPTLY.
I The State Department was informed
| of the capture of the two Americans late
\ last night and early this morning an
| other cable dispatch conveyed the in
| formation that the execution had taken
place
The American Consul at Mansgua ap-
/ pealed 10 President Zelaya for clemency.
or at least for a stay of the execution.
but after Zelays had taken the natter
under consideration he announced that
the sentence was hnaI and must be car
ried out
So far as has been ascertained at the
State Department the men were not al
lowed 10 have a trial. and we're shot
without even a chance 10 communicate
with their government or their friends
Secretary Knox immediately asked
Secretary Meyer 10 order the vicksburg
10 proceed post haste to Corinto. and an
hour later the Des Moines was ordered II
hurry TO the scene. The vicksburg is a
/ gunboat of 1.O1O tons. and carries an
/ effective battery of six large and seven
small guns The Des Moines is a cruiser
! of 5000 tons. and carries ten large and
/ seven small guns
Neither the Des Nfoines nor the Vicks-
burg carries marines. but IL will be essy
! TO obtain at least four hundred from
! Colon. The American Consul az Mana
qua has been instructed TO send a full
| account Of the occurrence as soon as
possible.
/ DEMAND PEREMPTORY.
\ Announcement that thts government .
/ tired Of the high handed actions of the
/ small Central American republics prac-
\ tically was contained IN a dispatch SENT
late to-day to the BHeheIds Steamship
\ Company. which sought the protection
/ OF the state Department from interfsr-
ence by the insurgents now operating
against President Zalsya. An hour Ister
/ a peremptory note. in Diplomatic Ian
! guage, but none the less direct. was de-
| hvered 10 Sefor Rodriguez. chsrgs
/ d'aftaires OF the Nicaraguan legation.
demanding a full and complete expIana
tion OF the execution OF Grace and Can
non.
The Bluefields Steamship COMPANY hss
headquarters in New Orleans. Tvs resu-
lar steamer was about 70 safI for Blue
fields with miscellaneous cargo. IN
which were number of rifles and other
! munitions OF war The corporation wa,
warned by agents Of the Nicaraguan in
surrectionary forces that the vessel
would be liable 20 seizure. and the steanl-
ship people called on the state Depart
ment 10 declare the protection this zoy-
ernment would give in such a case
The state Department promptly re-
piled. The answer was the result of a
! conference between the President and
the Secretary of state and carried fun
weight. II gave the steamship concern
no encouragement and practically recoS-
nized the revolutionary forces operating
/ against the Zelaya administration. a pro-
ceeding for which there Is probably no
parallel in the records OF this govern
I ment.
The dispatch. directed TO the steam
ship company At New Orleans and signed
Knox. Secretary OF state" read.
n the announced blockade or invest
, ment OF the Nicaraguan port OF san
/ Juan del NOrte (CsreytOwn) is effectively
| maintained, and the requirements OF IN
/ ternatiOnal law. including warning TO
/ approaching vessels. are observed. this
( government would not be disposed 70 in
terfere 20 prevent its enforcement. \
I naval vessel will be ordered to cSreytovp
I % observe and report whether the block
! ade is effective
Nothing Is known al the State Depart-
I rNf h.