Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-10

Mr. Cannon and Mr.. GrOce, wno
were shot to death by order of Presi-
dent ZeIaya for participation in the
revolution in Nicaragua, were not ire
sponsible Adventures. but large prop
erty holders in that and adjoining
Central American republics, according
to G. Spencer Holland. who has con-
siderable property and mining inter
ests in Nicaragua and who returned to
New York city a few days ago, when
the situation Of foreign residents not
friendly to the ZeIaya regime beca me
precaTious in Nicaragua.
Prosecuted by ZeIaya.
According to Mr.. Holland. both Can
non and Groce had been constantly
prosecuted by Zelaya in the past. Can
non having been captured and con
demned to death in the revolution of
81 year ago, but secured communication
of his sentence to a 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 Zelaya after a plea for
communication had been made by Zela
ya's own general in chief.
Both in the capture of the two Amer
leans, which was effected through an
incursion of ZeIaya's forces into Costa
Rican territory. and in their execution
without proper trial. Mr. Holland de
clares, 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-
traIitv of the various countries, their
freedom from trespass in time OF war
and the inviolabiiity of the rights OF
residents of any one country In the
territory Of the others were guHran-
teed. Zeaya 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-
ment deem worthy of consideration.
1t was because of Zelaya's insulting
conduct that Mr. Gregory. the Ameri-
can minister. at last lost patience and
left for Washington. His departure
was deplored 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 is no doubt that jose Oil
wares. the consular agent of tn, United
States at Managua. did all hS%couid
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 definite and clear inter-
est in the country where they lived
and where they had acquired consid-
eruble wealth and property. When
last I saw Mr. Cannon. in the end Of
October. he had just returned from
his plantation at San Carlos. part of
which had been destroyed by agents
of Zelayn. He was gong to join Cen
eral Estrada. his pes u friend, and
he told me he had been appointed to a
post on the generals stan.
'Mr. GrOce. too, had very valuable
property in Nicaragua, valued approx
imately at S5OO,00O, with about as
much more distributed in Honduras.
San Salvador and other republics. He
was an expert mining %ngineer and
used his technica knowledge to the
advantage of Gene a Estrada.
Both Groce and Cannon were cap
tured aftefAA decisive encounter be-
tween Estrada's forces and those OF
Zelaya near the San Juan river. Ze
Iaya's force. contrary to the treaty pro
vision. delibera tely crossed the river
into Costa Esca. recrossed it at an un
expected point. 4. appearing in the
vaAguard of he Estrada's force
put it TO fight.
Eager to BE Rid of Cannon"
PERSONALLY | have no doubt thai
both Cannon and Groce were taken ii
the act of laying mines under the river
and adjacent roads. But as they were
recognized officers of the revolutionary
party it was utterly unwarranted t.
lead them to execution. ! never be
Iieved they had a fair court martial
but that they were killed on 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 tak'
into consideration a suggestion of hi
own general in chief that their sen
fences be committed.
''Zelaya had reDeateClly shown him