The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-01-31
zELAYA ALWAYS
COVETED MONEY
Instances Of Unblushing Greed Told
By Man Who Had Personal
Dealings With Him.

PANAMA, Jan. Silt is generally
understood In this Isthmian city that
the United States has no quarrel with
Nicaragua. II Is also comprehended
by those who dwell at this tail end of
Central America that such animosity
as has been expressed has been d.
rected not against the state itself but
against its president. There are many
here who know Zelaya and what they
know Of him and what they nowadays
tell throws sinister and informing
light on the character OF the man who
has so lately brought his little repub'
lie so much into the limelight.
Take the testimony OF one OF the
most responsible OF these, Mr.. Il.
Perry, who lately represented, in Nj
caragua. the interests OF one OF
Americas largest business concerns.
IFS story 10 To this effect: that he had
been delegated to seek from the Near
aguan government a concession OF a
certain tract of land and for which his
corporation was willing TO pay any
reasonable prico. The tract bordered
a stream which was navigable for part
OF its length, but In the middle OF its
navigable waters was a waterfall.
The agent asked Zelaya what he
wanted for the concession and Zelaya
hxed the price at $4,000. The agent
said the price was high, but would
agree TO II provided he was granted
the privilege Of transhipping across
the short neck OF land where the
waterfall made navigation impossible.
"Zelaya," said Mr.. Perry to your CORE
spondent, deprecated that any small
matter like that should interfere with
the concession--that II would be all
right Of cOurse-only too glad to inter
est foreign capital, etc" Papers were
drawn up and signed and Perry gave a
draft for $4,000 and handed IL to the
president thus closing the transaction
20 far Hs he knew
"But on the next morning" he said,
II received caller whose card indi-
Gated that he was the vice-president Of
once became confidential. You have
get a valuable concession he said.
and now you should complete II by
getting a grant TO cut across that strip
OF land go as to get around the water
fall"
Whereupon Mr.. Perry explained with
some heat that the waterfall cut of
had been provided for In his talk
with the president. But" the vice
president urged. ut is not 80 written
In the contract" And sure enough
the concession was silent on that point.
The agent first thought that II was an
oversight; his next was that the vice
president was trying some sharp game
on him. He intimated his suspicious
and the vice-president frankly dis
closed himself I'VE must have $751;
900 MORE" he said; '.Zelaya gets $5,-
900. ! take $1,000 and you take the
other $1,000"
But" protested the agent, this
matter has been thoroughly gone over,
Is thoroughly understood between your
president and myself"
Suit yourself" said the vice-presi
dent, Struggling his shoulders. Mr..
Perry suited himself and repaired to
the presence OF Zelaya and began an
indignant account Of his interview
with the vice president. when Zelaya
interrupted to ask II the company he
represented was not one OF the rich
est in America. The agent admitted
that Il was one of the wealthiest.
Then said Zelaya, there is no rea-
son why you should not pay this other
$4,000"
The agent fatty refused. You leave
the country tomorrow" said Zelaya
Neither you nor any OF your company
can do any business in Nicaragua"