Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1909-12-23

of his sentence to Il heavy fine on rep
reservations made by the American
minister. At the time of his death
Cannon, according to Mr.. Holland, was
Il member of the staff of General Es-
trada. His execution was carried out
by order of Zeaya after plea for
communication had been made by Zela-
vas own general in chief.
Both in the capture Of the two Amer
leans. which was effected through an
incursion of Zelaya's forces into Costa
itican territory, and in their execution
without proper trial, Mr.. Holland de-
clurcs. Zelaya violated the provisions
of the treaty of 1908 between the Cen
trail American republics, of which Mex
leo and the United States were guar
antors.
THE present intervention of the
United States is due solely" said Mr..
Holland. ito the violation by Zelaya
of the treaty of the Central American
republics. guaranteed by the United
States and Mexico. in which the neu
trality of the various countries. their
freedom from trespasS in time of war
and the inviolablity of the rights of
residents of any one country in the
territory of the others were guaran-
tecd. Zclaya has frequently broken
various provisions of the treaty and
insulted the United States representa-
tives by alleging in defense pretenses
which no schoolboy would for mo-
rlent deem worthy of consideration.
1t was because of Zclaya's insulting
conduct that Mr.. Gregory. the Ameri-
can minister. at last lost patience and
left for Washington. His departure
was daplorod by all except Zelaya. who
was more than glad to be rid of an
intelligent diplomatic representative
who. with a Watchful eye, understood
his game.
Were Large Property Owners.
"There il no doubt that Jose Oil
wares. the consular agent Of the United
States at Managua, did all he could
to prevent the recent unwarranted
killing of Messrs. Cannon and Groce.
1t should be understood clearly that
these men were in no way adventur-
ers. but took q definite and clear inter-
est in the country where they lived
and where they had acquired consid-
cradle wealth and property. When
last | saw Mr.. Cannon. in the end of
October. he had just returned from
his plantation ut san Carlos. part of
which had been destroyed by agents
of Zclaya. He Was gong to join Gen
eral Estrada. his personal friend. and
he told me he had been appointed to a
post on the generals staff.
MT. Groce. too, had very valuable
property in Nicaragua. valued approx
imately at $JU0O00. with about as
much more distributed in Honduras
san Salvador and other republics. He
was an expert mining engineer and
used his technical knowledge to the
advantage of General Estrada.
Both Groce and Cannon were cap
tured after decisive encounter be
tween fStrada's forces and those OF
Zeiaya near the san Juan river. Re
laya'S force. contrary to the treaty pro
vision. deliberately crossed the river
into Costa i,ica. recroSsed it ut an un
expected point. and. appearing in the
vanguard of General Estrada's force
put it to fight.
Eager to Be Rid of Cannon"
"PersouHlly have no doubt thai
both Cannon and Groce We're taken ii
the act OF laying mines under the rive
and adjacent roads. But as they were
recognized officers of the revolutionary
party il was utterly unwarranted tt
lead them to execution. | never be
lieved they had Il fair court martial
but that they were killed Oh the per
sonal order OF Zelaya. A cable il
cipher received from friends in Mica
ragua two days after the execution
tells me that Zelaya refused to takt
into consideration a suggestion of hi
own general in chief that their sen
fences be committed.
"Zelaya had repeatedly shown him
self eager to be rid of Cannon. Can
non was captured and condemned t.
death in the last revolution, bu
through the intervention of Mr.. Greg
DRY. the American minister. his sen
tence was committed. They contiscat
ed about half his property. Mr.. Can
non frequently showed me letters il
which were plain proofs of Zelaya''
animosity to him. He had not
chance of escape"
Mr.. Holland declared that most O.
the American residents in Nicaragu;
had either left the country as unsaf
or retired to their plantations or mines
Most of them. he said, were hopin:
that the United States would taxi
charge of the situation and restore or
dor for tho nrnnpr dayelQnmant of tl