Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-04
United States Interested.

has a special interest, not only because
of the proximity Of the five republics to
the great commercial highway now near
ing completion in Panama, but also be-
cause Of its moral obligations under the
Washington conventions. The mainte-
nance Of peace and stable conditions in
these republics Is a matter Of first Inn
portance to my government. The faith
full observance of those conventions will.
in the opinion of my government, 60 far
toward the elimination Of the turmoil
that has hitherto shaken the very founda
tons of some Of the less fortunate and
less tranquil countries.
In conclusion, Mr.. President. allow
me to indulge the hope that the rela-
tons between our respective countries
may become Increasingly cordial and
close. to the mutual benefit Of BOTH
This speech. If published here. as it
probably will not be. may reassure a
good many who have admired the Sec
rotary because of his part in breaking
the tyranny of President Zelaya Of Mica
ragua, and some Of whom, unfamiliar
with the necessities of diplomacy, must
have been bewiidered to see this cham
pion Of republicanisn accepting the hos
ptality Of the most notorious dictator
now tolerated under pretense of popu-
lar government.
No Press Censorship.
An editor of a local paper. asked II the
government censorship was severe, re-
piled: No. there is no censorship. 1t
is unnecessary. The editors understand
published or not published The city
has two papers recognized as official
organs and third. La Compana, the
unthrottled Opposition" weekly. The
latter bold voice Of the people spoke
the only word Of discourtesy regarding
the American mission. In its issue OF
two weeks ago today. a copy Of which
was surreptitiously furnished for inspec-
ton. Mr. Knox was described a bird of
Ill omen and it's readers We're advised
to drape their windows in black on the
day of his advent in the capital. 1nas-
much every intelligent Guatemalan
knows that La Compana is also secretly
directed by the government as constituted
fers subject of speculation. Perhaps
it was a rap for the "antis, and pos
sibly. like the appearance in public OF
the president, il was intended to direct
In Guatemala on the same theory that a
partial admission is stronger sometimes
than an uneQuivocal denial
Late tonight many Of the street arches
were stripped of their decorations by van
dals, il was explained. similar Incl
dent occurred upon the last night Of Ad-
| miral Swinburn's visit some years ago,
and no political significance was to be
attached to the matter, the camp fol-
lowers OF Knox were told Indeed, no
Significance. political or otherwise, Is to
be attached to anything done in Guate-
n1ala without the express direction of the
president.
Scene of Former Tragedy.
A few years ago the entrance to the
palace where the correspondents were
received this afternoon was spattered
with blood when William Heimke, now
American minister to Salvador called to
present his credentials to Cabrera. A
company of cadets, at prearranged
signal. had fired upon the president as
he appeared in the doorway. They were
young and nervous and their aim was
hand which he had raised to protect
his face. The palace guard. alarmed at
the sound of firing. fell upon the cadets
before they could fire again, and there
Ian will describe truthfully. Twenty
five or thirty cadets were killed on the
spot but so quickly were the bodies re-
moved that when Mr. Heimke drove up
a few minutes later only pools of blood
In the courtyard remained to tell of the
tragedy, and these were soon washed
6way. The captain of cadets, who
escaped the onslaught, was promised his
life II he would reveal the identity of
the master mind of the conspiracy. but
the young officer told the president. SO
the story runs. that he would not do so.
Not one party to the plot weakened,
but the widow OF slain cadet. out of
gratitude for financial assistance from
the government, turned over certain per-
sonaI effects of her husband. and among
them, 1nnocently. some correspondence.
| II is alleged. which led to wholesale ar
rests It Is said that In the year fol-
lowing tho attempt 500 lives were exaSted
in retribution for the bullet wound\ in
Cabrera's right hand.
Accident Saves Presidents Life.