Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-18
AMERICANS SHOT
WITHOUT A TRIAL
BYzELAYA'S0RDER
Speedy Sentence of Two Men
as Insurgents Followed
by Execution.
WARSHIPS ORDERED TO
HURRY TO NICARAGUA
Secretary of State Acts Upon Infor-
nation From Managua Consul.
TAFT IS REPORTED INCENsED
Announced at White House That
Reception to New Minister From
Nicaragua Is Indefinitely
Postponed.

NiCdIdSuU ID Ah0SAA1SCAy
Postponed.
Two Americans who were dis
covered in the revolutionary army
in Nicaragua have been captured
and sentenced to death by Presi-
dent Zelaya.
News received at the State De-
partment today indicates that the
sentences have been carried out.
Two American war vessels have
been ordered to proceed with all
haste to Nicaragua. and the meet
ing of the new Nicaraguan minis
ter with the President at the
White House has been indefinite
ly postponed.
Two Americans. Leonard Grace and Le-
roy Cannon, captured with a portion of
the revolutionist army. have been SEN
fenced to death by President Zelaya's Or
ders. and it is believed that the sentence
has already been carried out. The gun
boat Vicksburg has been ordered to pro-
ceed in all haste to Corinto and the
cruiser Des Moines viii proceed at once
70 Pert Iimon to obrerve events there
and report by wireless the situation at
that point.
The meeting arranged between Presi-
dent Taft and the new minister from
Nicaragua, Mr.. Isidoro Hazera. for to-
morrow has beer indefinitely postponed
The news as to the case OF the two Amer
leans reached the State Department last
night from the United States consulate
at Managua. and stated that their cap
ture had been followed almost imme-
diately by death sentence.
Zelaya Refuses Consul's Appeal.
The consul Immediately appealed to
President Zelaya to commute their SEN
tence. and his answer was. II will see"
Later. on further appeal. Zelaya said that
the sentence was final. A dispatch re-
ceived this morning at the State Depart
ment is to the effect that the men have
undoubtedly been executed.
Upon that information the Secretary of
State asked the Secretary of the Navy to
order the vicksburg to proceed In all
haste to Corinto for the purpose Of pro-
tecting Americans and American interests
The Des Moines was also ordered to pro-
same purpose.
These vessels will be in constant COM
munication by wireless with the State
Department The execution OF the Amer
leans is believed to have taken place at
or near FL Costello. which is in the i'm
mediate vicinity of Greytown.
The action of the Zelsya government
in ordering the execution Of these two
Americans WHO happened TO be found in
Inc revolutionists' army. so far as known
without trial OF any sort is likely to re-
suit in this governments taking drastic
measures. Beyond question President
Zelaya will be held TO a strict aocoun,-
ability for his action.
President Taft Indignant.
President Taft upon the receipt of this
news was so incensed at what he regard
ed as the high-handed brutality OF Pres
ident Zeiaya that he Immediately an
Hounced that he would have no communi-
cation whatever with the new Nicara-
suan minister that Official was
promptly SO informed.
The Des Moines is now at Colon about
40 miles from Greytown. Nicaragua,
which she can reach within fourteen
hours under forced draft. The vicksburg
is on the Pacific coast, at San Jose de
Guatemala. also about 20 miles from the
Nicaraguan coast, and will be able TO
reach Port Linon at about the same time
the Des Moines arrives at Greytown.
The Des Moines IL a cruiser or q nm
tons displacement and carries ten large
and fifteen small guns. The Vicksburr
is a gunboat OF 1.OlO tons and carries six
large and seven small guns.
Public Blockade Declared.
The revolutionist forces under Gen. Es
trada have declared the port of San Juan
del Norte under public blockade, and
general notice To that effect has been is
sued. In a telegram received at the
state Department today II is stated that
as a result OF that action the city Of San
Juan del Norte. which is said to contain
1000 Zelayan adherents. is invested. both
by land and sea The blockading force
consists of the Nicaraguan gunboat One
tepe and the tug Blanca. which has been
temporarily armed. Large consignments
CONTINUED on Second Psge.l