The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-12-03

body Of the Nicaraguan people.
Two Americans, who, this govern
ment is now convinced, were officers
connected with the revolutionary
forces and therefore entitled to be
dealt with according to the enlightened
practice Of civilized nations, have been
killed by direct order of President Ze-
laya. Their execution is said to have
been preceded by barbarous cruelties.
''rhe consulate at Managua Is now
officially reported to have been men
aced. There is thus a sinister culmina-
ton OF an administration. also charac-
terized by a cruelty to its own citizens,
which has until the recent outrage
found vent in the case Of this country
in succession OF petty annoyances and
indignities which many months ago
made 1t impossible to ask an American
minister longer to reside at Managua.
"From every point Of view it has
evidently become difficult for the Unit
ed States further to delay more ac-
tive response to the appeals so long
made to its duty to its citizens, to its
dignity, to Central America and to
civilization.
1.-THE government of the United
States is convinced that the revolu-
ton represents the ideals and the will
of majority of the Nicaraguan people
more faithfully than does the govern
ment of President Zelaya and that its
peaceable control is we'll nigh as ex-
tensive as that hitherto SO sternly at
tempted by the government at Mana
qua.
There is now added the fact, as
reported from more than one quarter,
that there are already indications Of
rising in the western provinces in
favor Of a presidential candidate in
timately associated with the old re-
gime. In this 1t is easy to see new
elements tending toward a condition
of anarchy which leaves at given time
no definite responsible source to which
the government Of the United States
could look for reparation for the kill
ing of Messrs Cannon and GrOce or
indeed for the protection which must
be assured American citizens and
American interests in Nicaragua.
"In these circumstances the presi.
dent no longer feels for the govern.
ment of President Zelaya that respect
and confidence which would enable II
hereafter to maintain with it regular
diplomatic relations, implying the will
and the ability to respect and assure
what is due from one state to another.
"The government Of Nicaragua,
which you have hitherto represented,
is hereby notified, as will be also the
leaders of the revolution, that the gov
ernment Of the United States will hold
strictly accountable for the protection
of American life and property the fac.
tions de fact in control of the eastern
and western portions of the republic
of Nicaragua.
las for the reparation found due
after careful consideration, for the
killing of Messrs. Groce and Cannon
the government of the United States
would be loath to impose upon the in
nocent people of Nicaragua a toe
heavy burden of eXpiating the acts OF
a regime forced upon them or to exact
from a succeeding government, If II
have quite different policies, the impo-
sition Of such burden.
Into the question of ultimate repa-
ration there must enter the question
of the existence at Managua of a gov.
ernment capable of responding to de.
mands. There must enter also the
question how far it is possible to reach
those actually responsible and those
who perpetrated the tortures reported
to have preceded the executions, and
the question whether the government
be one entirely dissociated from the
present intolerable conditions and
worthy to be trusted to make impossi-
BILE recurrence of such acts, in which
case the president as a friend Of your
country, as he is also Of the other re-
publics of Central America, might be
disposed to have indemnity confined
to what was reasonably due to the
relatives Of the deceased and punitive
only in so far as the punishment
might fall where really due.
I'm pursuance Of this policy the gov.
ernment Of the United States will tenn
pOrarily withhold its demand for rep
aration, in the meanwhile taking such
steps as 1t deems wise and proper to
protect American interests"
''To insure the future protection OF
legitimate American interests in con
sideration of the interests Of the ma
jority of the Central American repub
lies and in the hope Of making more
effective the friendly offices exerted
under the Washington conventions the
government Of the United States re
serves for further consideration at the
proper time the question Of stipulatine
also that the constitutional govern
ment of Nicaragua obligate itself by
convention for the benefit Of all the
governments concerned as a guarantees
for its future loyal support of the
Washington conventions and theil
peaceful and progressive aims.
From the foregoing 1t will be ap
parent to you that your ONCE of charge
d'affaires is at an end. have the
honor tn inclose your naaaDOrt for use