The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-12-09

eItlSlIlS diplomacy ana IN august,
1898, he induced Honduras and
Salvador to JOIN a federation
known as the United States OF
Central America. 1t soon became
ev ident, however, that Zelaya
wanted to be the president of the
new republic, and govern it as
automatically as he had his own.
The two states Immediately pro-
tested and the federation was dis
solved i'll November of the same
year. But the international en-
tanglements of Nicaragua were
not the questions in which this
ingenious ruler was most success.
full. His enemies were numerous
and when the quadrennial election
period came around he had to see
to it that they were carefully re-
moved. He developed a system
of espionage which rivals that of
Russia, and thousands of citizens,
whose only crime was their oppo-
SitiOn to the administration, were
forced into exile, and their estates
forfeited. Others were CLAIMED
into Jail until the election3 was
over, while some Of the more dan
gerous element were plac G d
against a stone wall as targets for
a file of soldiers.
In one Of the elections a unique
scheme was devised by this clever
politician to deceive the ignorant
provincials and insure his election.
1t consisted i'll the printing of
three names on the ballOt-Josc,
Santos and /elaya-all candidates
for the presidency, The result
showed the election of all three;
or, in other words, Jose Santos
Zeyala was unanimously re-elect-
ed By such methods Zelaya has
managed to be thrice elected, in
spite of his enemies.
Many attempts have been made
to assassinate him, and in 1902
his palace at Managua was blown
up and I5c soldiers killed, but
the willy executive escaped un-
harmed. His undisputed bravery
and many miraculous escapes from
death have led the more supersti-
tious of his enemies to believe
that he is in league with the devil.
In one instance he learned OF a
plot that was being organized
against him, in which several of
his officers were involve d l..
Through his spies he discovered
their meeting place and deter
mined to surprise them. The con-
spiratOrs were gathered around a
table discussing the details of the
plot when there came a knock on
the door. When the summons
was answered, the officers were
dumtounded to see the president
standing in the doorway.
Good evening, gentlemen, " he
said, advancing towards the table.
Il heard you had a party here this
evening and thought | would look
in and share the fun. Quite a dis
tinguished gathering of my officers
You all seen serious. Discussing
military matters, l SUPPOSE" He
took his seat with the party and
chatted affably for about a half
hour, while TIL conspirators
stirred uneasily in their seats,
Finally, filling his glass with wine,
he raised it and said: Il will give
you toast. Here's long life to
the President of Nicaragua and
confusion to traitors" He then
dashed his glass against a window
a squad of soldiers entered and
placed the conspirators under ar
rest. When they were brought up
for trial, however, he was unusual.
ly lenient with them. Some were
imprisoned for long terms while
others were deported.
Thus, for nearly twenty years,
this strange mixture of courage
avarice and illimitable ambition
has been in supreme power in the
hot bed of revolution. ALTHOUGH
he has installed modern methods OF
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