Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-11-19
UNITED STATES
WAR VESSELS
SENT SOUTH
TO GUARD AMERICAN
INTERESTS IN NICARAGUA
Washington Aroused at Ale
ged Execution of Two Amer
leans Captured While Serv-
ing in lnsurgent Army.


IBy Morning journal special Leased wireI
Washington. Nov. 1S.--Announce.
mcnt that this government Is tired OF
the high handed action OF the small
Central American republics. particu
larry Nicaragua, was contained In n
dispatch sent to the Bucfields Steam
ship company which today sought the
lection OF the state department from
interference by the insurgents now
operating against President Zelaya
An hour later pre-emptory note
couched In diplomatic language, but
none the less direct, was delivered to
Senior Felipe Rodriguez, charge daft
falres of the Nicaraguan legation de-
manding full and complete explana-
tlon of the execution of the two
Americans, Leonard Grace and Leroy
Cannon, vino were killed by order OF
Zelaya When they were found In the
insurgent army.
Pending satisfactory explanation
President Taft has refused to recog-
nize lsador Hezera, the new Nicara-
guam minister
Mr.. Taft Is thoroughly aroused by
the actions of the Zelayan government
and apparently is determined TO make
American citizens much safer and
considerably more respected in Cen
tral America than they have been
hitherto
The attitude of the government was
clearly shown late today when the
state department sent a dispatch to
the Bluefields Steamship company.
the headquarters of which Is In New
Orleans, The company's regular
steamer was about to set sail for Blue
fields with a miscellaneous cargo.
counted In which were number Of
rifles and other munitions of war. The
corporation was warned by agents OF
the Nioaraguan nsurrectionary
forces that the vessel would be liable
TO seizure and the steamship people
promptly called on the state depart.
mont to declare the protection this
government would give in such cases.
The state department replied
promptly, The answer wne thr result
of conference between the president
and the secretary OF state and carried
fun weight. II gave the steamship
concern no encouragement and prac-
tically recognized the revolutionary
forces operating against the Zclayan
administration proceeding for
which there probably Is no parallel In
the records of this government.
This dispatch. directed TO the steam
ship company at New orleans, and
signed Knox, secretary Of state
read
vestment of the Nicaraguan port OF
san Juan del Norte (Greytown), IL eff
fcctivcly maintained and the require
ments of international law, including
warning to approaching vessels are
observed. this government would not
be disposed to interfere 70 prevent it's
enforcement naval vessel will be
ordered to Greytown to observe and
report whether the blockade Is ef-
fective,
The attitude of the United States, as
shown by its apparent recognition OF
the Nicaraguan insurgents indicates
to diplomats that this government
would welcome the overthrow of the
present administration there. II 10
well known that President Zelayas
attitude toward Americans and Ameri-
can interests for some time has been
anything but satisfactory
The state department today main
tanned reserve that was described
by one diplomat rs "ominous." II was
learned, however, that both President
Taft and Secretary Knox practically
have determined on the exertion OF
some forceful moral suasion, II noth-
ing more, with view of bringing the
Central American states to realiza-
ton OF their responsibilities.
The execution of the Americans II
held here to be indefensible,
In the absence OF complete details
this government is reserving judg
ment but IL the men were captured In
the ranks of the enemy with arms In
their hands they were entitled to mill
tary trial. under International law. II
Is lnconceivable to officials here that
either man was acting as a spy for
their nationality would preclude their
succeeding In such work.
While no orders have been issued
FOR the dispatch OF war vessels other
than the Des Moines and the Vicks-
burg to observe conditions on both
the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. there
are plenty of vessels In Caribbean
waters that can be sent to the scene
on the shortest notice, while there are
other vessels within call on the Paci-
fic coast II is evident that the tenn
per of the administration has been
thoroughly aroused and If occasion
warrants the state department may
advise drastic action.
Last year Minister Coolidge resigned
and returned from Greytown. the
Nicaraguan capital. II was given out
then that Mr. Coolidge returned
merely because of i'll health, but IL
eventually was learned that he was
practically forced to withdraw In or
der 90 save his dignity and preserve
the standing OF this government. Since
then there has been no diplomatic
connection between the two govern
ments except through the Nicaraguan
legation here.
Attaches of the legation today de-
clined TO make any comment on the
situation The new minister. Senior
Hezera, naturally refused to discuss II.
as his credentials had been waived
aside at the White House because of
the developments OF the last few
hours There was an air OF genuine
anxiety about the legation and from
appearance the diplomats regard the
situation as grave.
PRESIDENT TAFT ANGRY
At ACTION OF NICARAGUA
Waehfnufon NOx 1S-The state