Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-09

I InN Ell MaQr12, the new pTeSluSuI VI
l9gzzaI the republic, is a henchman Oh
the late executive, Zelaya. rms
opinion is based upon the fact that
about five years ago DR.. Madrlz, VINO
up to that time had been one OF Le-
laya's most caustic critics, accepted
office at the latters hands, and since
then has kept discreetly silent regard
ing the policies of his benefactor. But
among those who are in a position to
understand all of the intricacies of Nj
caraguan politics-and intricate they
are, indeed this opinion is not entirely
accepted. They point out that Madriz
has been a determined opponent of Ze-
laya; that it was far more to Zelayas
interest than to Madriz' advantage to
secure the neutrality of the latter; and
that the Cartago court is supposed TO
be an independent organization, of
which MadriZ might become a member
without finding himself submissive to
Zelaya, except where it was manifestly
for the benefit of the country.
DR.. Madriz gets his title from the
fact that he studied law in Guatemala,
and received from it's ancient univer-
sity the highest scholastic title in its
gift. He is a man now past so years
of age, of middle height, and with regu-
lar, attractive features. AS an orator
he is admired throughout Central
America, where every man possesses
the gift of tongues in more or less
conspicuous degree. AS a lawyer he
ranks with Geronimo Zelaya, Alberto
Membreno and Policarpo Bonilla, ad-
mittedly the ablest members of the
Central American bar. Madriz has eX-
tensiVe interests in coffee and is quite
wealthy, unless his political activities
have dissipated his fortune. He began
his political career as a journalist and
author.
At that time zelayas activity in
granting monopolistic franchises was
already beginning to excite opposition.
Madriz expressed himself unfavorably
to the presidents dangerous policy, and
eventually took still more advanced
grounds when Zelaya began to arrest
and imprison his political enemies. 9th
er Nicaraguan journalists Joined him,
acting independently and contributing
to papers other than those for which
Madriz wrote When at length Madriz
was arrested, Silvio Selva, Adolfo Vivas
and other well known Nicaraguan writ
ers were likewise taken into custody.
Vivas and Selva were Conservatives.
After undergoing q term of imprison-
ment Vivas made his peace with Zela-
va, was released and came to the Unit
ed States. After residing in New Or
leans for two or three years he linked
his destiny with the Estradistas, and
recently came to Washington in their
behalf.
Selva's punishment was much more
severe. His extensive properties were
confiscated. His father and brothers
were arrested, savagely whipped and
then expelled from the country. The
Selvas were brutally treated, no doubt
but not much more so than the rest of
the 5000 exiles whose property was con-
fscated by Zelaya when they were ban
ished. 1t is said that the total number
Of Nicaraguans exiled during Zelaya's
sixteen years of power was 10000 most
of whom found refuge in Costa Rica.
Madriz, exiled from the country, lived
at different times in Salvador, Guate-
mala and Costa Rica. In all these
places he practiced his profession and
continued his agitation against Zelaya,
publishing some of the btterest philip
pics ever directed against the dictator's
head 1t can be readily understood
what CONSERVATION his detection, ap-
parent or real, whichever 1t may have
been, caused in the ranks of the eX-
lies. When this happened the treaty
was under consideration in Washington
which led to the construction of the in
ternational court at Cartago. Suddenly
Central America was startled to learn
that DR.. Madriz had been invited to
Managua to confer with Zelaya-and,
even more amazing, that he had ac-
cepted.
Later came the announcement that
Madriz would be Nicaragua's repre-
sentative on the court. After what had
already happened nobody was much
surprised that Madriz accepted the
place. He was subsequently elected
president of the court. That the court
has not done much since it's organ
ization may or may not be due to Ze-
layas skill in frustrating the objects
for which it was established. If you
ask an Estrada supporter he will
shrug his shoulders and intimate that
it was in Zelaya's interest. Yet it
should be remembered that Madriz is
Nicaraguas foremost lawyer; that in
Cartago only the ablest man could be
of service to Nicaragua; and that Ze-
laya is keen judge OF men and by no
means so blind as to trust important
missions to incapables. When all this
is considered it may be an explanation
of his relations with Madriz which
reflects no discredit upon either of
them.
The resignation of. Zelaya from the
presidency of Nicaragua removes from
Central American politics one of the
most picturesque personalities that
ever figured therein. The man who
brought about the dictators unwilling
retirement is Juan Estrada, general
and sometime governor of RfuefieldS.