Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1909-11-23

Portsmouth, N. HI, Nov. 22.--
Naval rush orders were received
here today In connection with the
outfitting of the gunboats Padu-
cab and Dubuque, both of which
have been preparing to return to
the Caribbean sea.
Newport, r. l., Nov. 22.-The
battIeship Missouri today received
orders to proceed at top speed for
New York.
Washington, D. c., Nov. 22.-Strain-
ed now almost to the breaking point,
it remains for the next few days, per-
haps one or two will suffice, to show
whether the relations between the
United States and Nicaragua are to
be snapped off short. Secretary of
State Knox himself is authority for
the statement that a demand for rep
aration will be made upon Nicaragua
should inquiries develop that the al
legations touching the death of the
Americans are well grounded.
Late last night the secretary declar-
ed himself, and the proceedings in the
Nicaraguan affair today will doubtless
be along the line of the prosecution of
Inquiries to ascertai nthe truth as to
Grace and Cannon Knox is acting
with the full approval of the president
and the American warships are speed
Ing toward Nicaragua.
A Sunday Night Conference.
President Taft approved at con-
ference at the White House last night
tn, drastic recommendations Of Sec
retary Knox with reference to the
Nicaraguan situation. Before the sec
retary puts his policy into effect he
proposes in order to be absolutely sure
of his ground to secure further confor-
nation Of the facts in his possession
The president and he both realize the
seriousness of the situation. and they
desire to be fortified at every point,
SO that no question may be raised in
the future as to the propriety of their
course.
A formal demand for reparation for
the death of Groce and Canno will
be transmitted to President Zelaya.
This demand Will be in the nature of
an ultimatum. If within a certain
length Of time which will be specified
full and, complete compliance be not
made. then measures will be adopted
to obtain reparation which the dignity
of the United States requires
After the conference Secretary Knox
authorized the following statement:
Certain representations of fact
which have been made to the state
department concerning the Grace and
Cannon case are verified by Inquiries
that have been made. This govern
ment will at once prepare a. demand
on the Nocaraguau government for
reparatfon for the death Of those two
men"
No Wavering in Policy.
Participating in the White house
conference last night were the presi-
dent. Secretary Knox and Henry M
Hoyt counselor OF the state depart
ment. The last named has made
thorough inquiry into the policy pur-
sued by the government upon occas-
ions in the past when Americans were
arrested for taking part In revolutions
The United States has been careful to
distinguish between maltreatment of
Its citizens who were not bellieerents
and those caught with arms in hand.
In the case OF the two Americans,
Cannon and Groce, shot following a
court martial before which they were
charged with laying mines in a river,
the principal grievance of this govern
ment lies in their summary execution
and in the fact that President Zelaya
was inspired in ordering this action by
personal animosfty and by his general
spirit of anti Americanism.
An event OF importance that trans
pired during the day was the dispatch
of orders to the transport Buffalo, on
duty on the Pacific coast. to sail at
once for Panama. The navy depart
ment instructions to the commander of
the Buffalo were clear and explicit and ]
the vessel was expected to set sail last
night from P1chlinque Bay, Cal, after
taxing on adequate supplies of coal