The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-19
OF Execution of Grace and Can
non by Zelaya.
If THEY WERE SPIES
Nothing Is Likely to Be Done
About 1t.
Otherwise Nicaragua Will Be
Called to Account.

Washington, Nov 19.-Indications
| seem to point to a recognition by the
| United States of the belligerency of
the revolutionist government in
| Nicaragua under General Estrada
and it is not improbable a public
declaration to that effect will be made
in the near future.
The state department officials de-
cline to discuss even the probability of
such q course but from the circum-
stances of the case such action un-
doubted1y would be justified, it is said.
The insurgent forces are in prac-
tical control of at least one-half of
the whole Nicaraguan territory and
have possession of the entire Atlantic
coast line except Greytown. and the
blockade of that port completes the
whole line.
The state department has heard
nothing from any Nicaraguan quarter
since yesterday. The warships dis
patched to Nicaraguan ports likely
will arrive at their destination today
and it is not improbable wireless re-
ports soon will be received.
DR.. Hazera, Nicaraguan minister
designate, today received the state de-
partment's note demanding an ex-
PLANTATION from the Zelayan govern
ment of the execution of Cannon and
Grace 1t was admitted at the
cident'' had been received from
Zelaya.
1t is said that the revolutionists are
conducting their movements against
the Zelaya army in strict military
fashion, in contrast to the methods of
| Zelaya. who is declared to have
violated many of the established rules
| of civilized warfare.
Much Depends on How 1t Happened.
The state department having been
Tor nearly 4S hours, in possession
| of the main facts, has adopted an at
| titude of reserve and is awaiting some
sort of an explanation from the
| Nicaraguan government. 1t IS as
sumed that the press dispatches re-
| ceived from Managua are accurate in
charge that they had attempted, by
! the use of dynamite mines, to blow up
some of President zelaya's troop
| transports.
If the department advices confirm
| this story, the question will be
whether the charge against the men,
assuming that it is proven, justified
their execution
Probably everything will depend on
the method pursued by Cannon and
| forces. If it should appear that the
Americans slipped within the lines of
| the government forces under disguise
| when they planted their mines they
might he regarded sls spies, and so sub
ject to summary execution. But if they
engaged in their work openly. 1t will
probably be held that they should have
been treated as prisoners of war on
| the theory that an attack upon ship
by a mine is a legitimate act OF lawful
war.
In the latter case there is no doubt
that President Zelaya will be called to
account and ample reparation demand
ed. Nothing had been received this
| morning at the Nicaraguan legation
here through Senor Rodriguez, nor by
Dr. Hazera the Nicaraguan minister
| designate, in addition to the facts all
| ready given to the press.
Cannon's Parents Call.
Harrisburg, Pa. Nov. 19.-Daniel K.
Cannon, father of Leroy Cannon, the
| young Pennsylvania executed in Mica
ragua, today asked the state depart
ment at Washington to obtain positive
confirmation Of the news of the young
mans death.
I'VE only know what we read in the
newspapers, and hope Washington can
| tell us something said the young
mans mother Mr.. Cannon and I, if
| the boy is dead, will try to have the
| body sent here. We hope the govern
ment can help us to get it."
| Mrs. Cannon said she had received no
word from her son that he had taken
part in any revolutionary uprising such
as is contained in letters received here
by school friends of the young man.
These letters came from Honduras and
stated that Cannon was in that re-
public in August and September be-
cause of President Zelaya's ennity
toward him.
Recalls an Old Circumstance.
Washington, Nov. 19-The execu-
.ion by order of President Zelaya of
Leonard Grace and Leroy Cannon, con-
cemned as insurrectionists. with the
resulting international complications,
recalls the thrilling events of the ten
year war in Cuba when the Spanish
government executed summarily Cen
eral Ryan and a number of other
Americans who were captured and
charged with being filibusters. At that
line American feeling was wrought to
high pitch and number of Ameri-
can vessels were ordered to Cuban
waters and an immediate outbreak of
war between the United States and
Spain was averted only through the
rompt apology by Spain for the ac-
lion of the Cuban captain general and
the payment of indemnity to the fami-
les of the victims.
Wires Down In the Interior.
Bluefields, Nicaragua, Nov 19.-Wires
to the interior are down and it is i'm
possible to confirm the report that
President Zelaya had ordered the ex-
ecution of the Americans, Leroy Can
non and Leonard Grace. The blockade
at Greytown remains effective and the
rebels are strengthening their position
continually
It is reported Zelaya's troops are de-
sertiny in large numbers. The fear of
a rebel invasion of the interior has in
fluenced President Zelaya to mobilize
his forces there. A serious movement
against the eastern coast at present Is
unlikely.
One Thousand in Prison.
Ing here from Nicara qua report Presi-