El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-01-10
POLITICS
IN NICARAGUA
PRESENT PRESIDENT ONCE EXILED
IV-Turbulent Central America.

HE revolutionary party IN NlcdT-
8 auga, of which Gen. Juan Estrada is
the fighting head. the opinion pre-
walls that DR.. Madriz, the new presi-
dent of the republic, is a henchman of
the late executive, Zeiaya This idea is
based upon the fact that about five years
ago, DR.. Madriz, who W 10 that time
had been one of Zelaya's most caustic
critics, accepted office at the latter's
hands, and since then has kept dis
ereetly silent regarding the policies of
his benefactor.
But among those who are in posi-
tion to understand ali of the intricacies
of Nicaragua politicS-and intricate they
are. i2deed-this opinion is not entirely
accepted. They point out that Madriz
has been a determined opponent of Ze-
laya; that-it was far more 10 Zelaya's
interest than TO Madriz's advantage to
secure the neutrality of the latter; and
that the Carriage court is supposed TO
be an independent organization, of which
Madriz might become a member. with
out finding himself submissive to Ze-
laya, except where t was manifestly for
the benefit OF the country.
MRdriz an Orator.
DR.. Madriz gets his title from the fact
that he studied law in Guatemala, and
received from its ancient university the
highest scholastic title in its gift. He is
man now past SO years Of age of mid
die height, and with regular, attractive
features. As an orator he is admired
throughout Central America, where ev
cry man possesses the gift of tongues
In a more or less conspicuous degree
As lawyer he ranks with Geronimo
Zelaya, Alberto MeRDreno and Poll
carpo Bonilla. admittedly the ablest
members of the Central American bar.
Madriz has extensive interests in cot
fee and is quite wealthy. unless his pO-
tune. He began his political career as
a Journalist and author
Madriz Is Arrested.
AT that time Zelaya's activity in
granting mOnOpolistic franchises was
already beginning TO excite Opposition.
MadriZ expressed himself unfavorably 70
the presidents dangerous policy, and
eventually took still more advanced
ground when Zelaya began 10 ares and
imprison his political enemies. other
Nicaraguan journalists Joined him. act
ing independently and contributing to
papers other than those for which Ma
driz wrote
When at length Madriz was arrested
SilviO Selva, AdOlfo Vivas and ether
we'll known Nicaraguan writers were
likewise taken into custody. VivaS and
Selva were conservatives. After under
going term of Imprisonment Was
made his peace with Zelaya was re-
leased and came 10 the United States
After residing in New Orleans for two
or three years. he linked his destiny
with the Estradistas, and recently came
70 Washington In their behalf
Selva's punishment was much more
severe. His extensive properties were
confiscated- His father and brothers
were arrested. savageiy whipped and
then expelled from the country. The
Sedvas were brutally treated. nc doubt,
but not much more so than the rest of
the 5000 eXiles whose property was con-
fiscated by Zelaya when they were ban
ished. 1t Is said that the total number
of Nicaraguans exiled during Zelaya's
Is yeans Of power was $4,000. most OF
whom foupd refuge in Costa RIGA.
Bitter Against Zelaya.
Madriz, exiled from the country. lived
at different times In Salvador. Guate-
male and Costa Rica- In all these places
he practiced his profession and contin-
ued his agitation against Zelaya. pub
fishing some of the bitterest phiiippics
ever directed against the dictator's
head.
1t can be readily understood what con-
sternation his detection, apparent or
real, whichever ii may have been. caus-
ed in the ranks of the exileS When this
happened the treaty was under consid-
Grafton in Washington which led to the
construction of the international court
at Cartago. Suddenly Central America
was startled TO learn that Dr. Madriz
had been invited TO Managua TO confer
with Zelaya-and ever more amazing,
that he accepted
The Carriage Court
Later came the announcement that
Madriz would be Nicaragua's represen-
tative on the court After what had al
ready happened nobody was much sur
prised that Madriz accepted the place
He was subsequently, elected president
of the court That the court has not
done much since its Organization may
or may not be due TO Zelayas skill in
frustrating the objects for which it was
established.
If you ask an Estrada supporter why
Madriz was sent to Cartago. he will
shrug his shoulders and intimate that it
was in Zelaya's interest. Yet it should
be remembered that Madriz is Near
agua's foremost lawyer; that in Carriage
only the ablest man could be of. service
to Nicaragua; and that Zelaya is keen
judge of men and by no means So blind
as to trust important missions to incap-
ables.
an explanation of his relations with Ma
6riz which reflects no discredit upon
either of them.
Estrada, the General
The resignation of Zelaya from the
presidency of Nicaragua removes from
Central American politics one of the
most picturesque personalities that has
ever figured therein. The man who
brought about the dictator's unwilling
retirement is Juan Estrada. general,
and sometime governor of Bluefields.
For years Zelaya had no ADLER or